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

1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a new encounter

Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his summer move from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to dinking a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.

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

Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column attention following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 on aggregate in their previous two matches after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

3. Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team

It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker role.” Having won the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad to the World Cup provided he is able to continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally over every other English player in the Premier League this season on six and is keen to boost that count when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

The full-back crucial as creator and finisher

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side recently after five tough years in north London, has become a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the league as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM

5. Time for Isak to perform for Liverpool

The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's squad need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from this position, plus a major boost in performance, and the possibility arises as seven from their following ten league games facing sides currently in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is clear from Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A booking in that match would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient