Premier division: ten key points to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a winger with six goals and three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their last two matches following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this campaign on six and remains eager to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side in 2024 following five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four matches take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from here, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches facing sides currently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem during his second start in four days in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
