Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an tricky situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games over their past two games following an promising start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can continue his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this term having six and is eager to boost that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side in 2024 following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four matches include three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's squad must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven of their following ten league games against teams at the moment in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
