English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a attacker with six finishes and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their past two matches following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit without a clean sheet for months could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside option for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and is eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month following a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
