English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday

Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter

Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to chipping a delivery toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster scored for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)

The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the media setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a attacker with six goals and three setups and is delightful to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an awkward spot, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate over their past two matches after an impressive beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defence without a shutout since August may prove the perfect solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The striker a left-field shout for the national team

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he can offer me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional No 9 position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup provided he manages to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this term having six and remains keen to add to that count as Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm

Ryan Sessegnon required as creator and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four games take in three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club

The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to their seventh loss in 10 games. The coach's side must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a significant upturn in results, and the possibility arises with seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against long balls and fast breaks that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month following a muscle issue when making his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game might have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient