Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their last two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he can continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the top flight this season on six and remains keen to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season this season. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven from their next 10 league games facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
