Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column attention amid a alleged ÂŁ65m release clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an difficult position, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their past two matches following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a goalless game since August might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Earning the final 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes than any other English player in England's top division this term having six and is anxious to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four games take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's team require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven from their following ten league games facing sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury while his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
