Premier League: ten key points to keep an eye on this round of fixtures

1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new encounter

A Mancunian rematch may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man has started to settle in west London following his close-season transfer from the Red Devils and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto blended blistering pace and a perfect grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside prior to lofting a cross toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a indication of how quickly things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? When the former netted for United in the FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

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

The winger crucial to stopping Cherries' slump

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full transfer speculation focus amid a reported £65m escape clause for his prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is to be expected for a wide player with a half-dozen strikes plus three setups and remains delightful to watch. However, his team occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one over two games over their previous two matches after an promising start to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa however confronting a backline lacking a shutout since August might be the ideal remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

Danny Welbeck a surprise shout for the national team

It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton forward turns 35 in the coming days. “Even without being familiar with him, I know what he can provide,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a quite orthodox No 9 position.” Gaining the final 42 international appearances in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup provided he can continue his goalscoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker boasts more goals than any other English performer in England's top division this season with six and will be keen to increase that count as Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon needed as assist provider and scorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has brought a measure of warmth to Fulham's inconsistent opening. The 25-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club recently following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the league as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their top scorer last season, has netted one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period owing to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as a creator instead of Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four fixtures include three of the best five as well as Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes in the league so far. A threat emerges for the club that have developed a name for consistency in the middle.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

The occasion for Isak to perform for the Reds

The controversy regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in 10 games. Arne Slot's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the league contest from here, as well as a major boost in performance, and the possibility presents itself as seven from their next 10 top-flight fixtures facing sides at the moment in the bottom ten of the table. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool last season, but it is not only Liverpool's performance versus aerial passes and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to deliver for Liverpool. The £125m striker has been absent at club level in a month following a groin injury while his second consecutive start over a short period in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber versus Slovenia to ensure his availability for next year's World Cup qualifiers. A booking during the game could have suspended him. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient