English top flight: ten key points to look out for this matchday

Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash

A Manchester reunion may be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well in west London after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the former found the net for United in the cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (start times GMT)

The winger key to ending Cherries' decline

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire transfer speculation attention amid a reported £65m release clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a attacker who has six finishes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult situation, having engaged in a role reversal: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate in their last two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a backline lacking a shutout since August may prove the ideal solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

3. Welbeck a surprise shout for England

It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I understand what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the last of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English player in the top flight this term on six and remains keen to boost that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday three o'clock

4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and finisher

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his youth team last year following five tough years in north London, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he is their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four matches take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine scores in the Premier League to date. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club

The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat in ten matches. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from this position, along with a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven out of their next 10 Premier League matches against teams presently in the bottom half in the league. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a loss at Anfield to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a muscle issue when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition triumph in Germany. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution during the game could have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient