Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this weekend


Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle

A Mancunian rematch could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)


2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a wide player who has six goals and three assists and remains joyous to watch. Still, his side occupy an awkward spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined over their previous two matches after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a defence without a goalless game for months may prove the ideal solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock


Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team

It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English player in England's top division this campaign having six and is keen to add to that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm


The full-back needed as playmaker and goalscorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club last year following five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, driving down the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock


The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club

The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven of their next 10 Premier League matches against sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient

Robert Anderson MD
Robert Anderson MD

Lena van der Meer is a seasoned journalist covering local news and culture in Zwolle, with a passion for community storytelling.