Premier League: ten key points to look out for this weekend

1. Garnacho and Walker ready for a fresh battle

Another northwest showdown might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his talents against Wolves prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside prior to lofting a delivery toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of the pace with which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the youngster netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (kick-offs GMT)

The winger key to ending Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the full gossip column focus following a alleged £65m escape clause for a possible mid-season move, the media positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is understandable for a attacker who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and remains joyous to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth occupy an tricky position, having undergone a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined over their last two games after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez in the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however taking on a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August might be the ideal tonic.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

3. Welbeck an outside choice for the national team

It was intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton attacker reaches 35 in the coming days. “Despite not having met him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward role.” Gaining the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck may be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can continue his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals over every other English player in England's top division this season having six and is eager to boost that tally as Brighton welcome Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3pm

The full-back crucial as playmaker and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of warmth to Fulham's bumpy start. The 25-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club in 2024 following five challenging years in north London, has become a regular starter, pushing forward on the left in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their joint-top scorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has netted once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games feature three of the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have allowed just nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The moment for Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool

The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to their seventh loss over ten fixtures. The manager's squad must have a consistent improvement to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their next 10 league games against clubs currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a home league defeat on the champions last season, however it's not just Liverpool's performance against direct play and counterattacks that will be under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The expensive signing has been absent at club level over four weeks having sustained a groin injury while his second consecutive start in quick succession in the Champions League triumph in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute during Sweden's defeat by Switzerland but missed the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game might have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient