Premier division: 10 things to look out for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Mancunian rematch may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a ball toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their last two games after an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for England
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox striker position.” Having won the final 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and will be keen to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four games take in three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season so far. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion 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 inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's squad require a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from this position, along with a significant upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches facing sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that is in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month having sustained a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
