English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new clash
Another northwest showdown might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a potential January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an difficult position, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games in their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a backline without a goalless game in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Danny Welbeck a surprise choice for the Three Lions
It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he is able to provide,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season on six and will be anxious to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's next four matches include three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine strikes in the league to date. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven of their upcoming ten league games facing teams currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
