English top flight: ten highlights to watch for this weekend

Garnacho versus Walker ready for a fresh encounter

A Manchester reunion might be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger has started to settle in west London following his off-season signing from the Red Devils and displayed his abilities in the Wolves match prior to the national team interval. His assist for Pedro Neto combined electric speed with a ideal grounded ball. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved moving onto his right before dinking a ball toward the far post. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of how quickly situations evolve. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? During the former scored for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.

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

2. Semenyo vital to halting Cherries' slide

Antoine Semenyo is getting the complete rumour-mill attention due to a claimed £65m release clause for his possible mid-season move, the tabloids setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable from a wide player who has six finishes and three helpers and is pleasurable to watch. Still, Bournemouth occupy an tricky spot, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who come in with consecutive triumphs, whereas Bournemouth have been beaten 7-1 combined in their past two fixtures after an promising opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped from the spot by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa however facing a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the best remedy.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday three o'clock

3. Welbeck a surprise option for the national team

It was interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton forward reaches 35 soon. “Despite not being familiar with him, I am aware what he can provide,” said the England manager. “He can be a stand-in for Harry [Kane] in a quite traditional No 9 role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup assuming he is able to maintain his scoring exploits. The ex- Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals compared to any English footballer in the top flight this campaign with six and will be eager to add to that tally as Brighton entertain Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton vs Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon required as playmaker and scorer

Sessegnon's story has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's uneven opening. The left-sided player, who came back to his former side in 2024 following five difficult years with Spurs, has emerged as a regular starter, pushing forward on the left with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their top scorer in the last term, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term owing to a hamstring operation. Additionally, Sessegnon being required to contribute in a creative role in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups last season. Fulham's upcoming four fixtures include three from the top five and Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine scores this season to date. A threat emerges for a team that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.

Fulham versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm

The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds

The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to loss number seven over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's team require a consistent improvement to muscle into the league contest from their current spot, along with a dramatic improvement in form, and the possibility arises with seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus teams currently in the bottom ten in the league. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a home league defeat to Liverpool the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's performance versus long balls and fast breaks that will be in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to perform in a Liverpool shirt. The big-money forward has not featured at club level for a month following a groin problem while his second consecutive start in quick succession in Europe victory in Germany. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but was rested the subsequent dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his readiness for next year's World Cup knockout rounds. A caution on Tuesday might have made him ineligible. Isak may be short of|lacking|deficient