Premier division: 10 things to watch for this weekend

Walker faces Garnacho set for another battle

A Mancunian rematch may be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to lofting a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the former netted for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)

The winger crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his potential winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable for a winger who has six goals plus three assists and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an difficult position, having engaged in a form flip: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one over two games over their past two fixtures after an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game for months may prove the ideal solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions

It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I know what he can give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his scoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this campaign on six and remains anxious to increase that count as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher

Sessegnon's story has brought some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine goals this season so far. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a name for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a significant boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven out of their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides presently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury during his second start in four days in Europe win abroad. He reappeared off the bench in the Swedish reverse against Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient