After a slow start to life in England, Enzo Fernandez has blossomed into one of Chelsea's leaders at the age of 24. Often playing in a more advance role under his namesake Enzo Maresca, Fernandez’s regular goal contributions and adopting of the number eight shirt has led to comparisons with Frank Lampard.

Like Chelsea legend Lampard, Fernandez has often been on penalty duty for The Blues, scoring one earlier this season against Fulham. He has three goals and one assist in 2025/26 from seven starts, which is good going. He scored a penalty in midweek against Ajax before being substituted at half-time, presumably with this game in mind.

Sunderland have, of course, made a brilliant start to the season, but the majority of their points, 10 out of 14, have been accrued at the Stadium of Light. Ddespite only Arsenal having conceded fewer goals, their goalkeeper Robin Roefs is making the 3rd most saves per game.

Anthony Gordon seems to be brimming with confidence at present, which probably emanates from the trust Thomas Tuchel has put in him at international level.

Despite that, Gordon is currently yet to record a contribution in the Premier League, but this weekends visit of Fulham presents a perfect opportunity to get off the mark, with The Cottagers having picked up just one point on their travels so far, whilst conceding over two goals per game.

Whilst Gordon has not contributed in the league, in Europe he has provided four goals and one assist in three games. He provided a goal and an assist against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica last time out, and I think he can get off the mark in the league here.

It’s been 11 years since academy product Danny Welbeck departed Old Trafford for regular first team football, which he has probably only achieved since joining his current side Brighton, who he has made more appearances for than any other club.

Maybe’s it it the familiarity which allows Welbeck to flourish, but on his return visits to Old Trafford with Arsenal, Watford and Brighton, he has managed four goals and one assist in nine appearances.

Despite United being on the crest of a wave following their win at Anfield last weekend, there was more than an element of fortune about that victory, conceding just once from 2.75xGA. Only the bottom five teams have conceded more than Ruben Amorim’s men, with only three teams having a higher xGA figure. 

Brighton should be able to create plenty here, and with Welbeck spearheading the attack, he should get chances to contribute.

Liverpool got back to winning ways in the Champions League in midweek, thrashing Frankfurt 5-1 after switching their full backs, choosing a different midfield pairing, and dropping Mohamed Salah. It will be interesting to see if Arne Slot continues with those changes when travelling to Brentford on Saturday night. 

With many expecting Brentford to fall away after the departure of Thomas Frank and the appointment of unknown quantity Keith Andrews, it has been pretty much business as usual for the West Londoners, 13th in the table after eight games, and actually even above Frank’s new side Spurs in the xG table.

I want to be against Liverpool with them still looking all over the place at the back, and I think having watched Brentford against West Ham on Monday night, set pieces will be a big part of how they attack. They launch long throws into the box from half way into the opposition half, and with Liverpool looking vulnerable from set plays this could be an avenue to success. 

I want to be with Kevin Schade, not an obvious set piece target, but likely to be quickest to any knockdown with his lighting acceleration. Five of his 14 shots have come from dead balls. He can also create chances through speed, having assisted Thiago on Monday night.