Premier division: ten key points to watch for this matchday

Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle

A Manchester reunion could be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration and a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the former scored for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

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

The winger vital to stopping Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill attention amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a potential winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a winger who has six finishes plus three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an awkward spot, having undergone a role reversal: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa however taking on a backline lacking a shutout for months could be the ideal remedy.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team

It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window despite the fact that the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I understand what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he can maintain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this term on six and will be keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

The full-back crucial as playmaker and scorer

Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five challenging years at Tottenham, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures feature three among the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a side that have built a name for mid-table stability.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The occasion for Isak to perform for the Reds

The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. Arne Slot's side must have a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from this position, along with a dramatic boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus sides at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is clear from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing when facing aerial passes and quick transitions that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has been absent at club level for a month after picking up a muscle issue while his second start in four days in the Champions League win abroad. Isak returned from the bench in Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient