Premier League: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for another battle
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus following a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an difficult spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 combined in their previous two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout since August might be the best solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally than any other English player in the Premier League this term on six and is anxious to boost that count when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
The full-back required as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team in 2024 after five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven from their following ten top-flight fixtures versus teams presently in the lower half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing direct play and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in continental competition win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution during the game would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
