Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a wide player with six goals plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. However, his side find themselves in an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their previous two matches following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence without a shutout since August may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I know what he could offer me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign having six and will be anxious to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, as well as a significant improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus clubs currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
