English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle
Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)
The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill attention amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is joyous to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their past two games following an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit without a clean sheet since August may prove the best remedy.
Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I know what he could provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English footballer in England's top division this campaign having six and is keen to increase that total as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, driving down the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the Premier League this season. A threat emerges for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds
The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven out of their next 10 league games versus clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to the title holders last season, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent for his club in a month following a groin injury while his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's inconsequential game with Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
