Premier division: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures

Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh battle

Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

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

Antoine Semenyo key to ending Cherries' slump

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is predictable from a wide player who has six goals plus three setups and is delightful to watch. Nonetheless, his team occupy an tricky situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games in their previous two games after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defence lacking a clean sheet since August might be the best tonic.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm

The striker an outside option for the Three Lions

It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can give me,” commented the England coach. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite conventional striker position.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goalscoring performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally over every other English performer in England's top division this term on six and remains keen to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The full-back required as creator and finisher

Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his former side in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a first-team fixture, driving down the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures include three among the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league so far. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a standing for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM

5. Time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they lost to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the championship chase from here, along with a major upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that is in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second start in four days in continental competition win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient