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

Garnacho versus Walker set for a fresh encounter

A Manchester reunion might be in store when the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and demonstrated his talents versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield prior to dinking a delivery to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)

Antoine Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the complete gossip column attention amid a claimed £65m escape clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable from a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three helpers who is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth are in an difficult situation, having undergone a form flip: now it's the bottom-half team West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven-one over two games in their past two matches after an strong beginning to the season. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season may prove the best remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The striker an outside shout for the national team

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the fixture pause although the Brighton forward reaches 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional centre-forward role.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck could be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker can claim a greater tally compared to any English performer in the top flight this term with six and remains keen to add to that count when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm

4. Sessegnon needed as creator and finisher

Sessegnon's story has brought a measure of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year after five challenging years at Tottenham, has become a consistent pick, driving down the left side in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their primary attacker last season, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 because of a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' following four matches feature three from the leading five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in just nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for a team that have built a reputation for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

5. Time for Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool

The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike versus Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they fell to their seventh loss in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from this position, plus a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity presents itself as seven out of their next 10 league games versus sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The danger is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to hand a loss at Anfield on the champions in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against aerial passes and counterattacks that is under the spotlight. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The expensive signing has not featured in domestic action for a month after picking up a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe win abroad. The striker came back off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but sat out Tuesday's dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game would have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient