Premier League: 10 things to look out for this matchday
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their past two games after an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit without a shutout since August may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term with six and remains anxious to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures take in three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a significant improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level in a month following a muscle issue when making his second start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
