Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a winger who has six goals and three assists who is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their previous two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a shutout for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he can sustain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this campaign having six and will be keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, plus a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
