Premier division: ten key points to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and will be eager to add to that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches feature three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side need a sustained recovery to enter the title race from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe triumph in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
