English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a winger who has six goals plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their last two matches following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit without a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English performer in England's top division this term with six and is anxious to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, along with a significant improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their next 10 league games facing sides currently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action for a month following a groin injury when making his second start over a short period in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient