Premier division: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend

Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle

Another northwest showdown could be in the offing when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and showcased his abilities in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to dinking a ball to the back post. His celebration with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former found the net for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (all times GMT)

The winger vital to ending Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m release clause for his possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is predictable from a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their previous two fixtures after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the ideal solution.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The striker a surprise choice for England

It was interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the fixture pause although the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he can provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very conventional striker role.” Gaining the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to sustain his goalscoring exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts a greater tally than any other English performer in the top flight this season having six and will be keen to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

4. Sessegnon crucial as playmaker and goalscorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his youth team recently after five tough years with Spurs, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man last season, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last season. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for a team that have built a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm

5. Time for Isak to produce for the Reds

The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, as well as a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played for his club over four weeks following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient