Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a wide player with six finishes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their last two games following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be anxious to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's next four games include three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
