Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a winger with six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two matches following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defence without a goalless game for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside choice for England
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could offer me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English player in England's top division this term with six and remains keen to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches include three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures facing sides currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
