Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation attention amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defence that hasn't kept a shutout since August could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign on six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for the club that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from this position, plus a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the lower half in the league. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
