Premier division: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game since August might be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English footballer in the top flight this season with six and remains keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
