Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column focus amid a reported £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a winger with six goals and three helpers who is joyous to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their past two fixtures after an strong beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this season having six and will be keen to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a significant boost in performance, and opportunity emerges as seven of their upcoming ten league games against teams currently in the bottom half of the table. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month after picking up a groin problem during his second start over a short period in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
