English top flight: 10 things to look out for this round of fixtures

Garnacho versus Walker poised for a new clash

Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is adapting well at Stamford Bridge after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their Wembley triumph over Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)

2. Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full gossip column attention amid a alleged £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the tabloids setting him up for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an difficult position, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost 7-1 on aggregate in their previous two fixtures following an impressive opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a defensive unit lacking a shutout for months may prove the ideal tonic.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

3. Welbeck a left-field shout for the Three Lions

It seemed notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup if he can sustain his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally compared to any English player in the top flight this term on six and is eager to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer

The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club recently after five tough years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he is their joint-top scorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures take in three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores in the league this season. Trouble awaits for a side that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

5. Time for Isak to deliver for the Merseyside club

The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The coach's squad need a consistent improvement to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a significant boost in performance, and opportunity emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten league games versus teams presently in the bottom ten in the standings. The danger is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to the title holders last season, but it is not only Liverpool's display versus long balls and fast breaks that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury while his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. Isak returned from the bench during Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the subsequent inconsequential game against Slovenia to ensure his readiness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking in that match would have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient