Premier League: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for another clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six goals and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their last two matches following an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a clean sheet since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this season having six and is anxious to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team must have a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the lower half in the league. The risk 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 display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
