Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new clash
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus following a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate over their last two games after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit without a goalless game since August may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for England
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this campaign having six and will be keen to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the league to date. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from their current spot, along with a significant boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a groin problem during his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
