Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures

Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle

A Manchester reunion could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his skills against Wolves before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His creation for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.

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

Antoine Semenyo key to halting Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m release clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's average tier. That is understandable from a attacker with a half-dozen strikes plus three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his team find themselves in an awkward spot, experiencing a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on successive wins, while Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two games after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa however taking on a defensive unit lacking a clean sheet for months could be the ideal remedy.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the national team

It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be selected to the World Cup if he can maintain his goal-getting feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals than any other English footballer in England's top division this campaign with six and will be eager to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

4. Sessegnon needed as creator and scorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has brought a degree of positivity to Fulham's uneven start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists last time round. Fulham's upcoming four games take in three from the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores in the Premier League this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The occasion for The striker to perform for the Reds

The dispute about Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side require a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a significant improvement in form, and a chance emerges as seven out of their next 10 league games facing teams presently in the bottom half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a home league defeat to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus direct play and quick transitions that will be under the spotlight. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent for his club over four weeks having sustained a groin injury when making his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back from the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient