Premier division: ten highlights to keep an eye on this round of fixtures

1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle

Another northwest showdown may be on the cards when the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle at Stamford Bridge after his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right prior to chipping a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)

The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slump

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective winter exit, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a wide player with six goals and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an difficult situation, experiencing a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one on aggregate over their past two fixtures after an promising opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however facing a defence that hasn't kept a shutout in the league since the start of the season might be the perfect tonic.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

3. Welbeck an outside option for the national team

It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I understand what he is able to provide,” said the England coach. “He can be a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 role.” Having won the final 42 international appearances several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to sustain his goal-getting exploits. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English footballer in the top flight this season having six and is keen to boost that total as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3pm

The full-back required as assist provider and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a degree of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who returned to his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, has emerged as a consistent pick, operating on the left flank due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their leading marksman this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four games feature three among the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine goals in the league to date. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

The occasion for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club

The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. The manager's side require a prolonged upturn to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises as seven of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing clubs currently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's showing versus direct play and counterattacks that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The £125m striker has not featured at club level over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in Europe win at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient