Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger with six finishes plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their past two games following an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defence without a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this season with six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five tough years in north London, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
