Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined in their previous two matches following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a goalless game since August could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and is eager to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side in 2024 following five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four games include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to enter the title race from here, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven from their following ten league games versus clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured for his club in a month following a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
