English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)
The winger vital to stopping Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete transfer speculation focus due to a reported £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is understandable for a attacker with six goals and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an difficult situation, having undergone a body swap: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their last two matches after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa however confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim additional strikes than any other English performer in England's top division this term on six and will be keen to increase that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side in 2024 after five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
5. Time for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to enter the title race from this position, as well as a significant improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches against sides presently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to the title holders in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient