English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash
A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before lofting a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? When the former netted for United in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention due to a alleged £65m buyout clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their last two matches following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the best tonic.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
The striker a left-field option for England
It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this season on six and remains keen to add to that total when Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
4. Sessegnon crucial as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has offered some warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have built a reputation 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 ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from their current spot, plus a major upturn in results, and a chance arises with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against sides currently in the lower half of the table. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action over four weeks following a muscle issue during his second start over a short period in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
