Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before dinking a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their previous two matches after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline without a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this term having six and will be anxious to boost that total when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month following a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
