Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable for a winger with six goals and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their previous two matches following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this term on six and will be eager to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back required as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team recently after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
