English top flight: ten key points to watch for this round of fixtures

Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new encounter

Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

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

The winger crucial to halting Cherries' decline

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column treatment due to a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable from a wide player who has six goals and three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his side occupy an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their past two fixtures following an promising beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best remedy.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

Danny Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 soon. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he is able to offer me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very traditional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he manages to continue his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals than any other English footballer in the Premier League this season with six and is anxious to add to that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and goalscorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The left-sided player, who rejoined his youth team last year after five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, driving down the left flank with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has bagged once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures feature three of the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for a team that have earned a reputation for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The occasion for Isak to perform for Liverpool

The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from their current spot, as well as a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance arises as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures versus sides presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The threat is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not played for his club in a month following a groin problem during his second start in four days in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient