Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their last two fixtures after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this season with six and is keen to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five challenging years in north London, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten league games versus sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
