Premier League: 10 things to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their previous two matches after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a shutout since August may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The striker a surprise option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he is able to give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has additional strikes compared to any English player in the Premier League this term with six and remains keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back required as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four matches feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes this season to date. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches facing teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second start over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
