Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defence without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window although the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this season having six and will be eager to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
