Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his talents in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
The winger crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a winger with six goals and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their last two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker role.” Gaining the final 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign having six and will be anxious to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the title race from here, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven out of their next 10 league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
