Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the media preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. This is to be expected from a wide player with six goals plus three setups who is delightful to watch. However, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their last two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline without a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise shout for the Three Lions
It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can offer me,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goal-getting performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this season on six and is keen to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back needed as assist provider and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five challenging years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance emerges as seven from their following ten league games against teams currently in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club for a month having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient