Premier division: 10 things to watch for this weekend

Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh clash

A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? When the former found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

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

2. Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full transfer speculation focus amid a reported £65m release clause for his possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. That is to be expected from a wide player who has six finishes and three assists and is pleasurable to watch. However, his side are in an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one combined over their past two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit without a shutout for months may prove the ideal solution.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

Danny Welbeck a left-field choice for the national team

It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals compared to any English footballer in the Premier League this campaign on six and will be eager to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

4. Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league so far. Danger looms for the club that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for the Reds

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in quick succession in Europe win abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient