Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a attacker with six finishes and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two games following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defence lacking a shutout since August might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can provide,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this term with six and remains eager to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin problem while his second start over a short period in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
