Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a winger who has six finishes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their last two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he can sustain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this campaign with six and is eager to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four matches feature three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches versus sides presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
