Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a attacker who has six finishes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their past two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he is able to provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the top flight this term having six and will be keen to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side in 2024 after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season so far. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side require a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the lower half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
