English top flight: 10 things to watch for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus due to a reported £65m release clause for his prospective mid-season move, the media positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their past two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game since August might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he can provide,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this season with six and remains anxious to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered some positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four games include three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides presently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second start in quick succession in continental competition triumph in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient