Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a attacker who has six goals and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their last two fixtures after an strong start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English player in the top flight this term having six and remains keen to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from their current spot, along with a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges with seven from their next 10 league games against clubs presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
