Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable from a winger with six goals plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window although the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Earning the final 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English player in England's top division this term with six and remains eager to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches include three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to produce for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played for his club for a month following a groin injury when making his second start in four days in Europe victory in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
