English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a attacker with six goals and three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an awkward spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 over two games over their past two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this campaign having six and is eager to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four games feature three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, as well as a significant upturn in results, and opportunity arises as seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance when facing direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin problem while his second start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. Isak returned off the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
