Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is predictable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined over their last two matches after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goal-getting performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this term having six and remains anxious to increase that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has offered a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for the club that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
