English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column treatment amid a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the media preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a attacker who has six goals plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an tricky spot, experiencing a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate in their previous two games after an impressive start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a goalless game since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for the national team
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” commented the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional striker position.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this term having six and remains eager to add to that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four games take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's squad require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven from their next 10 league games versus clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match could have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient