Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)
The winger key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable for a winger who has six goals and three helpers who is delightful to watch. However, his team are in an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one on aggregate over their past two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he can continue his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this season on six and remains eager to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four fixtures feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's team require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from here, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against clubs at the moment in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month following a groin problem while his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win in Germany. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
