Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment amid a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable from a wide player who has six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an tricky position, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their previous two games following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field shout for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes compared to any English player in the top flight this campaign with six and will be keen to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. Fulham's following four fixtures include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their upcoming ten league games against teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and quick transitions that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient