Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend

Walker faces Garnacho ready for another encounter

Another northwest showdown might be on the cards as the Clarets' Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton before the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a flawless grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

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

The winger crucial to stopping Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is getting the entire gossip column focus due to a alleged £65m release clause for his prospective winter exit, the tabloids positioning him for graduation from the Premier League's middle class. It is predictable for a winger who has a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an difficult position, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with successive wins, while Bournemouth have lost 7-1 over two games over their previous two matches after an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet taking on a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months might be the ideal solution.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM

The striker a surprise choice for the Three Lions

It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker celebrates 35 next week. “Without even having met him, I am aware what he is able to provide,” said the England manager. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a very orthodox No 9 role.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be in the squad for the World Cup if he is able to maintain his goalscoring feats. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal attacker boasts more goals over every other English footballer in England's top division this season on six and remains keen to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm

The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought some warmth to Fulham's uneven start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, operating on the left due to the injury of the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their leading marksman this season together with Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has bagged a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for an extended period owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who supplied 10 assists in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four games take in three of the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded merely nine strikes in the Premier League this season. Danger looms for a side that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds

The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they succumbed to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's side need a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a major upturn in results, and a chance arises as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures against clubs presently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing aerial passes and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action over four weeks after picking up a groin problem when making his second consecutive start over a short period in continental competition triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench in the Swedish loss by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup playoffs. A booking on Tuesday would have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient