Premier division: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before lofting a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for a potential mid-season move, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a attacker who has six finishes and three assists who is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their past two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however taking on a backline lacking a goalless game for months could be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this campaign with six and remains anxious to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The full-back needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some positivity to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, plus a significant upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not featured for his club for a month following a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
