Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation treatment following a alleged £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is joyous to watch. However, his side are in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their last two games following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet for months could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English footballer in the top flight this season on six and will be keen to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven of their following ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
