English top flight: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult position, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and is keen to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's team must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
