Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former scored for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their past two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside shout for England
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker position.” Gaining the final 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes compared to any English performer in the Premier League this season having six and remains anxious to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side in 2024 after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
