English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a winger who has six goals and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their last two matches following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and remains eager to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's next four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their next 10 league games against teams presently in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month following a groin problem when making his second start over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
