Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this matchday

1. Garnacho and Walker set for a new clash

A Mancunian rematch may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well in west London after his summer move from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to lofting a ball to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.

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

2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected for a wide player who has six goals and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. However, his side occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their last two games following an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game since August could be the best tonic.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

The striker a surprise shout for England

It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window although the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” commented the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals over every other English player in England's top division this campaign with six and remains keen to increase that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The full-back crucial as assist provider and goalscorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four matches include three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds

The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's team need a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The threat is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat on the champions last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display versus direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent at club level in a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient