Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention amid a alleged £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a winger who has six goals and three assists who is joyous to watch. However, his side are in an difficult position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet for months could be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English performer in England's top division this season on six and is anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back required as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
