Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill focus following a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a winger with six finishes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their previous two matches after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes compared to any English performer in the Premier League this season on six and is keen to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back required as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four games feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major boost in performance, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their following ten league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
