English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday

Garnacho versus Walker poised for a fresh encounter

A Mancunian rematch could be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)

Antoine Semenyo key to halting Cherries' decline

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column focus due to a claimed £65m release clause for his prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes and three assists and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one on aggregate in their previous two games following an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal tonic.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm

3. Welbeck a surprise shout for England

It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English player in England's top division this term having six and remains keen to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and scorer

Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 after five difficult years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine goals in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches facing teams presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing long balls and counterattacks that is under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action for a month following a muscle issue during his second start in four days in continental competition triumph in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card in that match would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient