Premier League: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another battle
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an difficult spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two games following an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker an outside choice for England
It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this season having six and remains eager to boost that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five difficult years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven from their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against long balls and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
