Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their last two fixtures following an impressive start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for England
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this season having six and is keen to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their next 10 league games against sides presently in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second start in four days in Europe victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
