Premier League: ten highlights to keep an eye on this matchday

Garnacho versus Walker set for another encounter

A Manchester reunion might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker faces Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker has started to settle with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Manchester United and showcased his abilities versus Wolverhampton before the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace with a flawless grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed moving onto his right before dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, echoing his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a reminder of the speed at which situations evolve. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine netted for United during their cup final win against Manchester City.

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

The winger key to stopping Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the complete rumour-mill treatment amid a alleged £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and is pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, his team find themselves in an tricky situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down seven to one combined over their previous two fixtures following an impressive start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit lacking a shutout since August may prove the ideal remedy.

Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

3. Welbeck a left-field choice for England

It seemed notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck multiple times throughout the international break even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without knowing him, I am aware what he can offer me,” said the England boss. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] as a very conventional centre-forward position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 England games in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane for the World Cup provided he can continue his goal-getting exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals than any other English player in the top flight this campaign with six and is keen to boost that count as Brighton entertain Brentford this weekend.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

4. Sessegnon required as playmaker and finisher

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a degree of positivity to Fulham's bumpy start. The former Tottenham man, who returned to his former side in 2024 after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left flank in the absence of the injured Antonee Robinson. The worry? With two goals, he remains their top goalscorer in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer the previous campaign, has scored a single goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon needing to deliver in a creative role instead of Robinson, who registered ten helpers last time round. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded just nine strikes this season so far. Danger looms for a team that have built a reputation for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM

The occasion for The striker to produce for the Merseyside club

The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's deficiencies on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The coach's squad require a consistent improvement to force their way into the league contest from their current spot, as well as a dramatic boost in performance, and a chance emerges as seven out of their following ten Premier League matches versus clubs presently in the bottom half of the table. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the only team to inflict a home league defeat to the title holders the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display against long balls and quick transitions that remains under scrutiny. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured for his club over four weeks after picking up a groin problem while his second start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. Isak returned off the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have ruled him out. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient