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

Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new clash

Another northwest showdown could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and displayed his skills against Wolves prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the speed at which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)

The winger vital to halting Cherries' slump

Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column focus amid a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the media setting him up for advancement out of the Premier League's middle class. It is to be expected for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his side are in an tricky spot, having undergone a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down 7-1 on aggregate in their previous two fixtures following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet facing a defence lacking a shutout in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

The striker an outside choice for the national team

It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Despite not knowing him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England coach. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker role.” Earning the last of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally than any other English player in England's top division this season on six and is eager to add to that tally when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his former side recently following five difficult years in north London, is now a regular starter, driving down the left flank due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four games feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine scores this season this season. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool

The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's side must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from here, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity arises with seven out of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus direct play and counterattacks that is in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win abroad. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish loss to Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient