Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a winger who has six finishes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an difficult position, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their past two fixtures after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside shout for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he is able to offer me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he is able to continue his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this season on six and will be keen to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's next four games feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a side that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
