Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh encounter
A Manchester reunion could be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
The winger key to ending Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill focus due to a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids positioning him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected from a winger with six goals and three helpers and is delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two fixtures after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a goalless game since August could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team
It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup provided he can sustain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English player in the Premier League this term on six and will be anxious to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
4. Sessegnon required as creator and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for The striker to perform for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, along with a major upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
