Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention following a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a attacker with six goals plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two matches after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals over every other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be anxious to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches feature three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
