Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend

Walker faces Garnacho ready for another battle

Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his skills against Wolves before the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in the Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)

2. Semenyo vital to stopping Bournemouth's slump

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment following a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's middle class. It is understandable for a attacker with six goals plus three assists who is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team occupy an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two games following an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the perfect remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

3. Welbeck a left-field option for England

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion during the national team window although the Brighton forward celebrates 35 in the coming days. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he can give me,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts additional strikes over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season having six and remains eager to boost that count when Brighton welcome Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and finisher

Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 after five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term because of hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. The Cottagers' next four fixtures take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine goals this season so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM

The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club

The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a prolonged upturn to enter the title race from this position, as well as a major boost in performance, and opportunity presents itself with seven from their following ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has been absent at club level for a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition win abroad. Isak returned as a substitute in Sweden's reverse against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A caution on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient