Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a winger with six goals plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate over their past two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the national team
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in the Premier League this season on six and will be eager to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches feature three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their following ten league games facing teams presently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club over four weeks following a groin problem while his second start over a short period in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
