Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his talents in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete transfer speculation attention due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate in their past two matches following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup provided he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes over every other English performer in the top flight this season having six and is anxious to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches take in three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's side need a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their next 10 league games facing clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a groin problem while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League win in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
