Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures

1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle

A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London following his close-season transfer from Manchester United and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside prior to chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (start times GMT)

Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation attention amid a claimed £65m release clause for a prospective winter exit, the tabloids preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a attacker with six finishes plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth are down seven to one over two games in their previous two matches after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defence without a shutout since August could be the best solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM

3. Welbeck an outside option for the Three Lions

It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even having met him, I know what he is able to provide,” stated the England coach. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a quite traditional No 9 role.” Earning the final 42 England games back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he can sustain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker has a greater tally than any other English player in the top flight this term having six and remains eager to increase that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and goalscorer

Sessegnon's story has provided a measure of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five challenging years with Spurs, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches feature three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes in the Premier League to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

5. Time for The striker to produce for the Reds

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they fell to loss number seven in 10 games. The coach's side must have a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from here, along with a major boost in performance, and a chance arises as seven from their next 10 league games versus clubs presently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's showing against aerial passes and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury during his second start in four days in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek inconsequential game versus Slovenia to secure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient