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Garnacho versus Walker set for a new encounter

Another northwest showdown might be in store as Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea after his off-season signing from Old Trafford and demonstrated his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless low cross. His build-up for Malo Gusto required cutting inside before chipping a delivery to the back post. His celebration with Neto, replicating his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho encountered Walker? Back when the Argentine scored for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

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

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The winger crucial to halting Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire rumour-mill focus amid a reported £65m buyout clause for a possible January departure, the tabloids positioning him for promotion out of the Premier League's mid-table ranks. It is understandable for a attacker with six finishes and three setups and remains delightful to watch. However, his side occupy an awkward situation, having undergone a role reversal: it is the struggling side West Ham who arrive with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one combined in their previous two matches after an promising start to the campaign. Semenyo was denied on the penalty by Emi Martínez in their heavy loss to Aston Villa yet taking on a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet since August could be the perfect solution.

Bournemouth vs West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM

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The striker a surprise choice for England

It seemed interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel name-drop Danny Welbeck repeatedly during the fixture pause although the Brighton attacker reaches 35 next week. “Even without knowing him, I understand what he could give me,” said the England boss. “He could serve as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very traditional centre-forward role.” Having won the final 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck might be on the plane for the World Cup provided he is able to maintain his scoring exploits. The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker has more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this season on six and remains keen to increase that tally when Brighton host Brentford on Saturday.

Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3:00 PM

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The full-back required as playmaker and goalscorer

The narrative around Ryan Sessegnon has provided some warmth to Fulham's inconsistent start. The left-sided player, who came back to his youth team in 2024 after five difficult years at Tottenham, is now a regular starter, operating on the left side due to the injury of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? Having scored twice, he's also their top goalscorer in the league alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker the previous campaign, has scored once while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for the long term due to a surgical procedure. Additionally, Sessegnon having to step up in a creative role instead of Robinson, who provided ten helpers last time round. The Cottagers' following four matches include three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in only nine scores in the league to date. Danger looms for a team that have built a standing for mid-table stability.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

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5. Time for Isak to deliver for Liverpool

The dispute regarding Virgil van Dijk's chalked-off effort against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's inferiority on the day as they fell to a seventh defeat over ten fixtures. Arne Slot's squad must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the title race from this position, plus a major upturn in results, and opportunity presents itself with seven out of their following ten Premier League matches facing sides presently in the lower half in the league. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a loss at Anfield on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing versus long balls and quick transitions that is under scrutiny. It is time that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not featured at club level in a month having sustained a muscle issue during his second appearance in the lineup in quick succession in Europe victory abroad. He reappeared from the bench in Sweden's defeat against Switzerland but missed the midweek dead rubber with Slovenia to secure his fitness for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A yellow card during the game might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient