Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this weekend

Garnacho versus Walker set for a new encounter

A Mancunian rematch might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.

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

Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill attention amid a reported £65m release clause for a possible January departure, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is predictable for a winger who has six goals and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their last two fixtures after an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit without a goalless game since August might be the best tonic.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

Danny Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions

It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox centre-forward position.” Gaining the final 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals than any other English performer in the top flight this term on six and will be keen to increase that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five tough years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator in place of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures include three among the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

5. Time for The striker to produce for the Reds

The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures against clubs currently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and quick transitions that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level for a month following a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in the Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient