Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable for a wide player who has six goals and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I know what he is able to provide,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this term with six and will be anxious to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team require a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven of their upcoming ten league games against sides presently in the lower half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing direct play and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient