Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
A Manchester reunion may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? During the former netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slide
Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire transfer speculation attention amid a alleged £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward position, having engaged in a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their previous two fixtures following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a goalless game for months might be the ideal remedy.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field choice for the Three Lions
It proved notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can give me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the top flight this season with six and will be keen to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side in 2024 after five difficult years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four games feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a reputation for mid-table stability.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The occasion for The striker to produce for the Reds
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side need a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from here, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks following a groin problem when making his second start in quick succession in continental competition victory in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
