Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill attention following a reported £65m escape clause for a potential January departure, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a winger who has six goals and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their previous two games after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this season with six and is eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's squad require a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, as well as a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month following a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
