Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his talents against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right before chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a winger with six finishes plus three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined over their previous two fixtures following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside shout for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this season having six and is anxious to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches versus sides presently in the lower half of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action in a month following a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient