Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation treatment due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected for a winger with six finishes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their past two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but facing a defence without a shutout since August may prove the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a left-field option for England
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim additional strikes compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this campaign with six and will be keen to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side last year following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league to date. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to enter the league contest from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven out of their upcoming ten league games facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and fast breaks that is in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club in a month having sustained a groin problem while his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph in Germany. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
