Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a attacker with six finishes and three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an awkward spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their last two games after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however facing a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise choice for the national team
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be keen to add to that count when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' next four games take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven from their upcoming ten league games against sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent in domestic action for a month following a groin problem while his second start over a short period in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
