Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash
Another northwest showdown could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill treatment amid a reported ÂŁ65m escape clause for a potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a attacker who has six finishes and three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their previous two fixtures after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi MartĂnez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside choice for the national team
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English player in the top flight this campaign on six and is anxious to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three from the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
