Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment amid a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate over their last two fixtures after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional striker position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this term on six and is anxious to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back crucial as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month following a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
