Premier League: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column focus following a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their past two games following an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign on six and will be keen to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from here, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their following ten league games versus sides currently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
