Premier division: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet in west London following his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention following a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a attacker who has six goals and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their last two matches following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a goalless game for months could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this term on six and is eager to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 after five difficult years in north London, is now a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's next four fixtures take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus direct play and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
