Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player with six finishes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their past two games after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for England
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 forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in the Premier League this season with six and will be anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
