Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for another encounter
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before chipping a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention due to a reported £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a winger with six goals and three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their last two fixtures following an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally over every other English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven out of their next 10 league games against teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
