Premier League: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a wide player with six goals and three setups who is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two fixtures after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could provide,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be keen to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games include three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club over four weeks following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
