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

1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh clash

A Mancunian rematch could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his summer move from Old Trafford and displayed his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a perfect low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to dinking a cross across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine found the net for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)

2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' slump

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention amid a alleged £65m escape clause for his possible mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a attacker with six finishes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. However, his team find themselves in an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games over their previous two matches after an promising beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa however facing a backline that hasn't kept a shutout since August might be the best solution.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The striker an outside shout for the national team

It proved intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without having met him, I know what he could offer me,” stated the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very orthodox No 9 position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup provided he is able to sustain his goal-getting feats. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals compared to any English performer in the Premier League this term with six and is anxious to increase that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The full-back needed as assist provider and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some positivity to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his youth team recently following five tough years with Spurs, is now a regular starter, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute in a creative role replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine goals in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds

The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The manager's side require a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, along with a significant boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself with seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus sides presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent for his club for a month following a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League win abroad. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish defeat by Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's inconsequential game against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card on Tuesday could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient