Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill focus amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the media preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a attacker with six goals and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two games following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field option for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can provide,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in England's top division this campaign having six and remains eager to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a regular starter, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from their current spot, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second start in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient