Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before lofting a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is joyous to watch. However, his team are in an tricky position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their last two games following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline without a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional striker role.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches feature three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
