English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures

Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new encounter

Another northwest showdown might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto required shifting infield before lofting a cross to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of the pace with which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? When the Argentine netted for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (all times GMT)

Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' decline

Antoine Semenyo is getting the full rumour-mill treatment due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. However, Bournemouth find themselves in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined in their last two games following an impressive opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game in the league since the start of the season may prove the ideal solution.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm

3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team

It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton attacker celebrates 35 soon. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite conventional striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his scoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in the top flight this campaign having six and remains anxious to increase that total when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The full-back required as creator and scorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year after five challenging years in north London, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period due to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last time round. The Cottagers' following four games feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine strikes in the league this season. Danger looms for the club that have built a standing for mid-table stability.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM

The occasion for The striker to perform for the Reds

The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side need a prolonged upturn to muscle into the title race from this position, as well as a major improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions last season, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against direct play and quick transitions that is in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The big-money forward has been absent for his club over four weeks after picking up a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have made him ineligible. He might be short of|lacking|deficient