Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their last two fixtures after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside shout for the national team
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally than any other English player in the Premier League this season with six and is keen to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has scored 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 in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
