English top flight: 10 things to watch for this round of fixtures

Walker faces Garnacho poised for a fresh clash

Another northwest showdown could be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)

2. Semenyo crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slump

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete gossip column focus due to a reported £65m buyout clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns positioning him for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is to be expected from a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an tricky position, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter with back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their previous two games after an strong start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved from the spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months could be the best remedy.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

The striker an outside choice for the Three Lions

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause although the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Without even knowing him, I know what he can provide,” commented the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup if he is able to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has additional strikes compared to any English performer in England's top division this term having six and will be keen to add to that count as Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

The full-back crucial as assist provider and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some comfort to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club last year following five tough years in north London, is now a first-team fixture, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their leading marksman in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores in the league this season. A threat emerges for the club that have built a name for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The coach's side need a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from here, plus a major improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven of their next 10 Premier League matches facing clubs presently in the lower half in the league. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to deliver a defeat on their own turf to the title holders in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that will be in focus. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The big-money forward has not played in domestic action in a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition victory abroad. The striker came back from the bench in Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking on Tuesday might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient