English top flight: ten key points to look out for this matchday

1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another clash

Another northwest showdown could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)

Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected for a wide player with six goals plus three assists and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an awkward spot, having undergone a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their last two fixtures after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a backline lacking a shutout for months could be the ideal tonic.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions

It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he could offer me,” stated the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English performer in England's top division this term on six and is keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher

Sessegnon's story has brought some warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches feature three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The moment for Isak to produce for the Reds

The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. The manager's squad need a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and the possibility emerges with seven of their next 10 top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played in domestic action in a month following a groin injury during his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient