English top flight: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures

Garnacho versus Walker ready for a new battle

Another northwest showdown might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and showcased his talents against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a flawless low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a ball toward the far post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win over Manchester City.

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

2. Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column attention following a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the media setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected from a winger with six finishes plus three assists who is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games over their last two matches after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet since August may prove the perfect remedy.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

The striker a left-field shout for the national team

It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and is keen to add to that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

The full-back required as playmaker and finisher

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool

The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The coach's squad require a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a significant boost in performance, and opportunity arises with seven of their next 10 Premier League matches against clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second start in four days in Europe victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient