English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new encounter
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation focus amid a reported £65m escape clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult spot, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games in their past two matches following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term on six and will be eager to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad require a sustained recovery to force their way into the title race from here, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their next 10 league games versus clubs currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level in a month following a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
