Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill focus following a claimed £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a attacker who has six finishes plus three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their past two fixtures following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet since August could be the best tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside option for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he can maintain his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals than any other English player in the top flight this season having six and remains eager to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back required as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the league together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine goals in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have developed a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches facing sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
