Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for another battle
Another northwest showdown might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield before dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete transfer speculation treatment amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games over their last two fixtures after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa however confronting a backline lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
3. Welbeck a surprise option for England
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I know what he can offer me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker position.” Having won the last of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign on six and remains anxious to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven beginning. The 25-year-old, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period because of a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four games feature three among the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals this season to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
5. Time for The striker to deliver for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's team must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the title race from this position, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played for his club in a month after picking up a groin problem during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match could have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
