Premier League: ten highlights to watch for this round of fixtures

1. Garnacho and Walker set for another battle

A Manchester reunion might be in store when Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match before the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his earlier celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a testament of how quickly things transform. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the youngster found the net for United in their cup final win against Manchester City.

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

2. Semenyo vital to ending Cherries' decline

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m buyout clause for a potential January departure, the tabloids preparing him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable from a winger with six goals plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Still, his side find themselves in an tricky situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined in their past two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss by Aston Villa yet confronting a backline that hasn't kept a shutout for months might be the perfect solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team

It proved intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton striker reaches 35 soon. “Despite not having met him, I know what he could offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a quite traditional centre-forward role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his goal-getting performances. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim more goals over every other English performer in England's top division this term with six and remains anxious to increase that total as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

Ryan Sessegnon crucial as assist provider and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has offered a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The former Tottenham man, who rejoined his boyhood club recently following five tough years with Spurs, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? Having scored twice, he's also their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term owing to hamstring surgery. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver as an assist provider instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four games include three of the top five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the league this season. A threat emerges for a side that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The moment for Isak to perform for Liverpool

The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team require a sustained recovery to enter the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and a chance emerges with seven out of their upcoming ten league games against teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The danger is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance against aerial passes and counterattacks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to deliver wearing red. The expensive signing has not played at club level for a month having sustained a groin injury during his second start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse to Switzerland but was rested the midweek meaningless match versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game would have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient