Premier League: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh battle
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a possible mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a winger who has six finishes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their last two games following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a clean sheet for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
3. Welbeck a left-field option for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts additional strikes than any other English player in the top flight this term having six and will be keen to add to that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club
The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they succumbed to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and a chance presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten league games against teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and quick transitions that remains under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
