English top flight: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho set for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full transfer speculation attention amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a winger who has six goals plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two games following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a defence without a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck a surprise choice for England
It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton attacker turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” said the England coach. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional striker role.” Earning the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his scoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English performer in the Premier League this season having six and is anxious to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four fixtures take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM
The moment for Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the championship chase from this position, along with a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second start in four days in continental competition win in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
