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

Walker faces Garnacho poised for a new encounter

A Manchester reunion could be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The wide man is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Manchester United and demonstrated his abilities versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto combined blistering pace and a ideal grounded ball. His contribution for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before dinking a delivery across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a testament of the pace with which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the Argentine netted for United during their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.

Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)

The winger vital to halting Bournemouth's decline

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire gossip column treatment due to a reported £65m buyout clause for a possible mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. This is to be expected from a attacker with six goals and three assists and is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his side occupy an difficult spot, experiencing a form flip: it is the struggling side West Ham who enter on successive wins, while Bournemouth have been beaten seven to one on aggregate in their previous two fixtures after an impressive beginning to the campaign. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their four-nil loss to Aston Villa but confronting a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season might be the best solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

Danny Welbeck a surprise option for England

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause even though the Brighton attacker turns 35 next week. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He might act as a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite orthodox centre-forward role.” Having won the last of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his scoring performances. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim additional strikes over every other English footballer in the Premier League this season having six and is eager to boost that tally when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday three o'clock

The full-back required as assist provider and finisher

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided a measure of comfort to Fulham's bumpy opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his boyhood club in 2024 following five tough years at Tottenham, is now a consistent pick, driving down the left flank in the absence of the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? On two goals, he's also their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. Raúl Jiménez, their leading man in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for the long term due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon must also having to step up as a creator replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's upcoming four games include three among the best five and Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine strikes this season this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have developed a standing for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The moment for The striker to produce for Liverpool

The dispute surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's inferiority in that game as they succumbed to loss number seven in ten matches. Arne Slot's team must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the championship chase from here, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and opportunity emerges with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the lower half in the league. The threat is evident from Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, but it is not only Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to show up in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured in domestic action in a month following a groin problem during his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe win in Germany. The striker came back as a substitute in the Swedish defeat against Switzerland but missed Tuesday's meaningless match against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup knockout rounds. A caution in that match could have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient