Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined over their past two fixtures after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be keen to add to that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four games take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven of their next 10 league games against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month following a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
