Premier League: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new encounter
Another northwest showdown might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine scored for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column focus due to a alleged £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a winger with six finishes and three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward position, experiencing a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their last two games following an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
The striker a surprise shout for England
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally compared to any English player in England's top division this season with six and remains keen to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity arises with seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
