Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker set for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column treatment following a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined over their last two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a clean sheet since August might be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field choice for the national team
It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he can continue his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes than any other English footballer in England's top division this term having six and will be eager to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The full-back needed as creator and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side in 2024 following five tough years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The occasion for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side require a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance presents itself with seven from their following ten league games facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus long balls and quick transitions that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient