Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new battle
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger with six goals and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky spot, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their previous two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be anxious to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven of their upcoming ten league games versus teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient