English top flight: ten highlights to look out for this weekend

1. Garnacho and Walker poised for another battle

A Manchester reunion could be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and demonstrated his abilities against Wolves prior to the international break. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His creation for Malo Gusto involved shifting infield before chipping a cross across the goalmouth. His goal reaction with Neto, echoing his prior celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the speed at which circumstances change. The last time Garnacho faced Walker? When the youngster netted for United in their Wembley triumph against Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (all times GMT)

2. Semenyo crucial to ending Cherries' slump

Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill focus due to a claimed £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the tabloids preparing him for graduation out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. That is understandable for a wide player who has a half-dozen strikes and three setups who is joyous to watch. However, his team occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: it is the relegation battlers West Ham who arrive on consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined over their previous two games after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez during the four-nil loss by Aston Villa but taking on a backline without a goalless game since August might be the perfect solution.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday afternoon 3pm

3. Welbeck a surprise option for the Three Lions

It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause despite the fact that the Brighton forward turns 35 soon. “Even without having met him, I know what he could provide,” stated the England manager. “He might act as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very orthodox striker position.” Earning the last of his 42 caps several years ago, there is every chance that Welbeck may be on the plane to the World Cup assuming he manages to continue his goalscoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts additional strikes than any other English player in the Premier League this season having six and will be eager to boost that total as Brighton welcome Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock

Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and goalscorer

Sessegnon's story has brought some warmth to Fulham's bumpy beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? Having scored twice, he is their top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man last season, has scored once whereas Rodrigo Muniz is out until 2026 because of a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up in a creative role replacing Robinson, who provided 10 assists last season. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three of the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine strikes this season so far. Danger looms for the club that have earned a standing for consistency in the middle.

Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock

The moment for Alexander Isak to perform for the Merseyside club

The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort in the match with Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they succumbed to their seventh loss in ten matches. The manager's team require a sustained recovery to force their way into the championship chase from this position, plus a major boost in performance, and the possibility emerges with seven of their upcoming ten Premier League matches against teams at the moment in the bottom half in the standings. The threat is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's display against direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. The moment has come that Alexander Isak to perform wearing red. The expensive signing has not featured at club level over four weeks after picking up a groin injury when making his second start in four days in the Champions League triumph abroad. He reappeared off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber with Slovenia to guarantee his readiness for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution in that match might have ruled him out. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient