English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash
A Mancunian rematch may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and showcased his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a flawless low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)
Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a alleged ÂŁ65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable for a attacker with six finishes plus three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an difficult spot, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven to one on aggregate over their previous two games following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm
Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the national team
It proved interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he can offer me,” said the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English player in England's top division this campaign having six and will be eager to boost that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and goalscorer
The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team in 2024 following five difficult years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four games feature three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season this season. A threat emerges for a side that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from here, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven of their upcoming ten league games versus teams presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action in a month after picking up a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
