Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column focus following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a wide player who has six goals and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their previous two games following an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet facing a defence without a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be keen to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four games feature three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine scores in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The occasion for Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, along with a major upturn in results, and opportunity emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent at club level in a month following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
