Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a winger who has six finishes and three setups and is pleasurable to watch. However, his side are in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside shout for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English performer in England's top division this season on six and will be anxious to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their next 10 league games facing sides currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient