Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho set for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column attention following a alleged £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a wide player with six finishes and three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their past two matches after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and is anxious to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the league to date. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe victory in Germany. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
