English top flight: 10 things to watch for this matchday

Walker faces Garnacho poised for another clash

Another northwest showdown could be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The attacker has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and displayed his skills in the Wolves match before the international break. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which things transform. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the former netted for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)

2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for his possible winter exit, the media setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. That is to be expected from a attacker with six finishes and three setups who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who come in with back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one over two games over their last two games after an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence lacking a goalless game in the league since the start of the season could be the best solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

3. Welbeck a surprise shout for the Three Lions

It seemed interesting to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times during the international break even though the Brighton forward turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I know what he is able to provide,” commented the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very traditional striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim a greater tally than any other English footballer in England's top division this term having six and remains eager to boost that total as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday three o'clock

The full-back required as assist provider and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a degree of warmth to Fulham's uneven opening. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his youth team in 2024 following five tough years in north London, has become a first-team fixture, operating on the left due to the injury of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's upcoming four games include three of the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

The occasion for Isak to perform for the Merseyside club

The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they fell to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team need a prolonged upturn to enter the league contest from their current spot, along with a significant boost in performance, and the possibility arises with seven from their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus sides presently in the lower half of the table. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, but it is not only Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level over four weeks following a muscle issue while his second appearance in the lineup over a short period in the Champions League victory abroad. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's loss to Switzerland but sat out the midweek dead rubber against Slovenia to ensure his fitness for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A yellow card on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient