Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment following a alleged £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their last two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months could be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I understand what he could give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and remains keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month following a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
