Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new clash
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a attacker who has six finishes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline without a goalless game since August might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he can continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and is eager to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four games take in three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from this position, plus a major boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in quick succession in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
