Premier League: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh encounter
Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column treatment amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable for a wide player with six goals and three assists and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their previous two fixtures after an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months could be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck an outside option for England
It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 role.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and is anxious to increase that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches include three among the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for The striker to perform for the Merseyside club
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides currently in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned as a substitute during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
