English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this round of fixtures

Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle

A Manchester reunion might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine found the net for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

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

The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill treatment amid a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is delightful to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their last two fixtures after an promising start to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss by Aston Villa but facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the perfect remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions

It proved notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he can give me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the final 42 caps several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goal-getting exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward has more goals over every other English footballer in the top flight this term on six and will be eager to boost that tally as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his former side recently after five difficult years with Spurs, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for the Reds

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven of their following ten league games against sides currently in the lower half of the table. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start in quick succession in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient