English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another encounter
A Mancunian rematch might be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before chipping a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in the Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column focus following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three assists and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an awkward position, experiencing a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their past two matches following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the perfect solution.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Danny Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions
It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he manages to continue his scoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this season with six and remains anxious to add to that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a name for mid-table stability.
Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The moment for The striker to deliver for Liverpool
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, along with a significant upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches facing teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a defeat on their own turf to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display against long balls and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played at club level over four weeks following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
