English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the media positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their previous two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field option for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally compared to any English performer in the Premier League this season on six and is keen to boost that count as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games take in three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven out of their following ten league games against clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
