English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new clash
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one combined over their previous two games following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however facing a backline lacking a shutout for months could be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can give me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup if he manages to maintain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally than any other English performer in the Premier League this season with six and is anxious to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his former side in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four matches take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad require a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven from their next 10 Premier League matches facing sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks following a groin injury while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
