Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two games following an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a left-field choice for England
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break although the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” commented the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has more goals than any other English performer in the Premier League this season on six and will be anxious to boost that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's following four games include three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Reds
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to enter the league contest from here, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven of their following ten Premier League matches versus sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played at club level in a month following a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
