Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their previous two games after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet for months may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be keen to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer 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 hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's following four games take in three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus direct play and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level in a month having sustained a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient