Premier division: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable from a attacker who has six finishes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their past two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and will be eager to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores this season to date. Trouble awaits for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
