English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Garnacho versus Walker set for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their last two games following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline without a shutout for months might be the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker position.” Earning the final 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he can sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this campaign with six and is keen to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches include three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven from their following ten league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom half of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing direct play and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured for his club for a month following a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League victory in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
