Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment due to a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures after an strong start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals over every other English player in the top flight this campaign on six and is anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side in 2024 after five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to enter the title race from here, plus a significant upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven from their following ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
