Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a attacker with six goals and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games over their last two games following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker an outside choice for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this season on six and is eager to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their upcoming ten league games against clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
