Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday

1. Garnacho and Walker set for a fresh battle

Another northwest showdown may be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The wide man is finding his feet at Stamford Bridge following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His setup for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a perfect grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? During the youngster found the net for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)

The winger key to halting Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire gossip column attention due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a prospective mid-season move, the gossip columns positioning him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected for a winger who has six goals plus three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team are in an difficult spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their previous two fixtures following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the ideal solution.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday 3pm

The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions

It was intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward celebrates 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He could serve as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games several years ago, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup if he can continue his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts a greater tally compared to any English performer in England's top division this campaign with six and remains keen to add to that count when Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The full-back needed as creator and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered some positivity to Fulham's bumpy opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left flank due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has netted one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also having to step up as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who registered ten setups last time round. The Cottagers' upcoming four fixtures take in three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine scores this season so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The occasion for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool

The debate about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from their current spot, plus a major upturn in results, and the possibility arises as seven out of their upcoming ten top-flight fixtures versus clubs at the moment in the bottom half in the league. The danger is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a loss at Anfield to Liverpool the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's showing versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second start over a short period in Europe triumph in Germany. The striker came back from the bench in the Swedish reverse by Switzerland but was rested the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for next year's World Cup playoffs. A caution in that match would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient