English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his prospective winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their last two fixtures after an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit lacking a shutout for months might be the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this term with six and remains anxious to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself with seven of their next 10 Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
