English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the Argentine found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus following a reported £65m escape clause for his potential January departure, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a winger who has six goals and three assists and remains joyous to watch. However, his team are in an awkward spot, experiencing a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their previous two matches following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he can continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English player in the top flight this term on six and remains keen to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's following four matches feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and counterattacks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
