Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a clean sheet since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English performer in the top flight this term with six and is eager to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four games include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from here, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured at club level in a month having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
