Premier League: 10 things to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a wide player with six finishes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an difficult spot, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their previous two matches following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this term on six and remains anxious to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back required as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus sides currently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month following a muscle issue during his second start in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
