Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash
Another northwest showdown may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former scored for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation attention amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is predictable from a wide player with six finishes plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an difficult situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their previous two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional striker position.” Having won the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this season with six and remains keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side in 2024 after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's team require a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their next 10 league games versus sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
