Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an awkward position, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined over their past two fixtures following an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this season with six and is keen to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from here, plus a significant boost in performance, and a chance presents itself with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the lower half of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level in a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
