English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday

Walker faces Garnacho set for a fresh battle

A Manchester reunion may be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12:30 PM (kick-offs GMT)

The winger key to ending Bournemouth's slump

Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a attacker with six finishes and three assists who is pleasurable to watch. However, his team find themselves in an awkward situation, experiencing a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their last two matches following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit lacking a shutout since August may prove the ideal solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The striker a surprise shout for the national team

It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox No 9 role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English performer in the top flight this term having six and remains eager to increase that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm

4. Sessegnon needed as assist provider and finisher

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left side due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. Fulham's next four fixtures include three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the Premier League so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a standing for mid-table stability.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

5. Time for Isak to perform for the Reds

The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's team must have a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility presents itself with seven of their next 10 league games against sides at the moment in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not played at club level over four weeks following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient