Premier division: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a winger with six finishes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defence lacking a goalless game for months may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a surprise option for the national team
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England coach. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign having six and is keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four matches include three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their next 10 league games facing clubs currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin problem during his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
