English top flight: 10 things to keep an eye on this round of fixtures

Walker faces Garnacho ready for a fresh battle

Another northwest showdown might be on the cards when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is finding his feet with Chelsea following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and demonstrated his talents in the Wolves match prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed and a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his earlier embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which things transform. The previous occasion Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United during their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.

Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (start times GMT)

Antoine Semenyo vital to halting Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill treatment following a reported £65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion from the Premier League's average tier. It is understandable for a winger with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains pleasurable to watch. Still, his team are in an awkward spot, having engaged in a form flip: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one on aggregate over their past two games after an strong start to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defence that hasn't kept a goalless game for months could be the perfect remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

The striker a surprise shout for the Three Lions

It seemed intriguing to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” stated the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 position.” Earning the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck could be selected for the World Cup assuming he is able to continue his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal striker has a greater tally compared to any English footballer in England's top division this season having six and remains keen to increase that tally as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

4. Sessegnon needed as creator and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's uneven opening. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his boyhood club recently after five difficult years at Tottenham, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer this season alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged once while Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four matches take in three from the best five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine goals in the league so far. Danger looms for a side that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

The moment for The striker to deliver for the Merseyside club

The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. The manager's side require a sustained recovery to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic upturn in results, and the possibility emerges as seven out of their upcoming ten league games facing clubs at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's showing when facing long balls and quick transitions that will be under scrutiny. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action for a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second consecutive start over a short period in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient