Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their past two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a backline without a shutout for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this campaign with six and will be keen to add to that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, along with a significant upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven of their following ten league games against teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
