Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment due to a alleged ÂŁ65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected for a wide player with six finishes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their past two fixtures after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi MartĂnez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker role.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English player in the Premier League this term with six and will be anxious to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their following ten league games versus clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe victory in Germany. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
