Premier division: 10 things to look out for this matchday
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention following a alleged £65m release clause for his potential winter exit, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. However, his side find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined in their previous two games after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker role.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term having six and remains eager to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
