English top flight: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh encounter

A Manchester reunion could be on the cards as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from the Red Devils and displayed his talents versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before lofting a cross to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

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

Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation treatment due to a alleged £65m release clause for his potential January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. This is understandable for a wide player with six finishes plus three helpers and is delightful to watch. Still, his side occupy an tricky situation, having undergone a body swap: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their last two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the heavy loss by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit lacking a goalless game for months may prove the best remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The striker an outside option for the Three Lions

It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he is able to give me,” stated the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox striker role.” Having won the last of his 42 England games back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad to the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally compared to any English performer in England's top division this term on six and will be keen to increase that count when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

4. Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who registered 10 assists in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four matches take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores this season to date. Danger looms for the club that have built a standing for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The occasion for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. The coach's squad need a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity arises as seven of their following ten Premier League matches facing teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The £125m striker has been absent in domestic action over four weeks having sustained a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in continental competition victory at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned from the bench in the Swedish loss against Switzerland but was rested the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient