English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected for a wide player who has six goals plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their last two matches following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside option for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this campaign having six and is keen to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's squad need a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in four days in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
