Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a attacker with six goals plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined over their previous two fixtures following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however taking on a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this season having six and remains anxious to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action over four weeks following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
