Premier division: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker poised for another clash
A Mancunian rematch could 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 following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former scored for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill attention amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a attacker who has six goals plus three helpers and remains delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their previous two matches following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but confronting a backline without a goalless game since August could be the perfect tonic.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a surprise shout for England
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he is able to give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this campaign with six and remains anxious to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for Alexander Isak to produce for the Merseyside club
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing teams currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action in a month following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
