Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the media preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player with six goals plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a backline lacking a clean sheet for months might be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside option for England
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I understand what he can offer me,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup if he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this season having six and remains keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from their current spot, as well as a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month following a muscle issue while his second start over a short period in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
