English top flight: 10 things to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their last two games following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit without a clean sheet for months might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally over every other English footballer in England's top division this campaign on six and is anxious to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four games include three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's team require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
