Premier League: 10 things to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their last two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a backline without a shutout for months might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and remains eager to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a side that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action in a month following a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
