Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a wide player with six goals plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate over their previous two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English performer in the top flight this term on six and is keen to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven of their upcoming ten league games facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient