Premier division: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus amid a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two fixtures after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline lacking a goalless game for months may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for England
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this season on six and is keen to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their next 10 league games against clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
