Premier League: ten key points to look out for this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's slide
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for a potential mid-season move, the media positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a wide player who has six goals plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth are in an tricky situation, having engaged in a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 combined in their previous two fixtures after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a goalless game since August might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the last of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup assuming he can sustain his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and remains keen to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team in 2024 following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven from their next 10 league games versus teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
