Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the former netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this term on six and will be keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven of their upcoming ten league games versus clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
