English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a winger who has six finishes and three helpers who is delightful to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their last two games after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a defence without a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally than any other English performer in the Premier League this term on six and will be anxious to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from here, plus a major boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing direct play and quick transitions that will be in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
