Premier League: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Garnacho versus Walker ready for another clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo key to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a attacker who has six goals plus three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky position, experiencing a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games in their past two matches following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss by Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit without a goalless game for months might be the perfect solution.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The striker a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to continue his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this term having six and will be anxious to increase that total when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as creator and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for the club that have earned a standing for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
The occasion 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 inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures against sides at the moment in the lower half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent for his club in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his availability for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match might have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient
