Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill attention amid a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their last two games after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he can maintain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English player in England's top division this term having six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back crucial as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for The striker to perform for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus sides currently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe win in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
