Premier League: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but taking on a backline lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he can sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and will be anxious to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from their current spot, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven from their next 10 league games against sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
