Premier League: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention following a reported £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games in their last two games after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however facing a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be keen to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games include three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
