Premier division: ten key points to look out for this matchday

1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle

A Manchester reunion may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended electric speed with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed shifting infield prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)

The winger key to stopping Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible January departure, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable from a wide player with six finishes plus three assists and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their previous two games after an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa but confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the ideal solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM

The striker an outside choice for the national team

It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the international break although the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I know what he is able to give me,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be keen to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

Ryan Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher

Sessegnon's story has brought some warmth to Fulham's uneven beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The moment for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club

The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven from their next 10 Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and fast breaks that is under the spotlight. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient