Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a winger with six goals and three assists and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their previous two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a backline without a goalless game since August may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this term having six and will be eager to increase that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from this position, as well as a significant boost in performance, and opportunity arises as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played for his club for a month having sustained a groin injury during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
