The English Premier League returns from the international break with some interesting stories breaking during the time away, including Manchester United winger Antony being afforded a “leave of absence” as he co-operates with a police investigation.

Fantasy managers have some equally fascinating choices to make for the second month of the campaign. Julián Álvarez is an excellent choice to partner the prolific Erling Haaland in attack, for those who are starting with two forwards in your team.

Saturday

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool (8.30am)

Wolves have started their campaign with just one win from their first four games. Joe Hodge and Tommy Doyle are doubtful this weekend for the West Midlands club.

Liverpool have started the season unbeaten, including wins over fellow European contenders Newcastle and Aston Villa. Virgil van Dijk serves the second of his three-match ban for the red card at Newcastle, while Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara are out through injury and lack of fitness.

Liverpool have won 15 of 22 meetings with Wolves.

Prediction: 0-2

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace (11am)

Aston Villa have had a mixed opening this season. Alex Moreno, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Tim Iroegbunam, Jacob Ramsey and Bertrand Traore are out with injury, while Diego Carlos is doubtful with a knock.

Crystal Palace have started with seven points from their opening four matches. Michael Olise and Matheus Franca are missing, while Malcolm Ebiowei is doubtful owing to lack of fitness.

Villa edge this rivalry, winning nine to Palace’s eight through 24 top-flight meetings.

Prediction: 2-0

Fulham v Luton Town (11am)

Fulham have conceded the second-most goals in the division so far with ten. New recruit Alex Iwobi and Sasa Lukic are out to injury, while Tom Cairney is doubtful.

Luton scored their first home Premier League goal in the loss to West Ham last time. Gabriel Osho, Dan Potts and Jordan Clark are out with injury for the Hatters, while Alfie Doughty and Tom Lockyer are doubtful.

These sides have never met in the Premier League.

Prediction: 3-1

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion (11am)

Manchester United continue to struggle on the road against the bigger teams after defeats by Spurs and Arsenal. Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo are injured, while Lisandro Martinez and Sofyan Amrabat are doubtful.

Brighton are the highest scorers this term, with young striker Evan Ferguson becoming just the fourth player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League at 18 years of age or younger. Julio Enciso and Danny Welbeck are out through injury for the Seagulls this week, while Ferguson is doubtful.

United have won nine of 15 meetings with the South Coast outfit.

Prediction: 2-0

Tottenham Hotspur v Sheffield United (11am)

Tottenham have been one of the surprise teams thus far, going unbeaten in their first four games under new coach Ange Postecoglou. Alfie Whiteman, Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur, Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso are out through injury this weekend.

Sheffield United have just one point from their first four games on their return to the top flight. Max Lowe, Rhys Norrington-Davies, John Fleck, Ben Osborn and Rhian Brewster are out to injury or lack of fitness, while Daniel Jebbison, Tom Davies, Anel Ahmedhodzic, George Baldock and William Osula are doubtful for the Blades.

Spurs edge this match-up with five wins to Sheffield’s four through 13 contests.

Prediction: 3-0

West Ham United v Manchester City (11am)

West Ham have taken ten points from their first four games this season. New signing Konstantinos Mavropanos is out to lack of fitness, while Tomas Soucek should return after a head injury.

Manchester City are the only side to take maximum points from their first four games. Kevin de Bruyne is out with a hamstring injury, while John Stones, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic are doubtful for the champions.

City have won 33 of 52 encounters with the Hammers.

Prediction: 1-2

Newcastle United v Brentford (1.30pm)

Newcastle have suffered three straight defeats after their dominant home win over Villa on opening week. Emil Krafth and Joe Willock are out to injury, while Sven Botman, Javier Manquillo, Alex Murphy, Elliott Anderson and Sandro Tonali are doubtful.

Brentford have had three draws so far, including the home stalemate with Tottenham. Shandon Baptiste, Mikkel Damsgaard and Josh Dasilva are out through injury, while Ivan Toney remains suspended.

Newcastle have won three of five meetings with the Bees.

Prediction: 2-2

Sunday

Bournemouth v Chelsea (10am)

Bournemouth have two points from their first four matches under Andoni Iraola. Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, Dango Ouattara, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams are out through injury for the Cherries this weekend.

Chelsea have scored just five goals and taken four points from their first four games. Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia, Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku are out with injury this week for the Blues.

Chelsea have won ten of their 14 encounters with the Cherries.

Prediction: 1-1

Everton v Arsenal (12.30pm)

Everton scored their first goals and got their first point of the season at Sheffield United in their last match. Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli and Jack Harrison are out to injury and lack of fitness, while Vitaliy Mykolenko, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jarrad Branthwaite and Youssef Chermiti are doubtful.

Arsenal came from behind to defeat Manchester United and remain unbeaten, two points behind holders Man City. Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny are out with knee injuries, while Thomas Partey is doubtful with a groin injury this match.

Arsenal dominate this rivalry, winning 38 of 64 meetings with Everton.

Prediction: 1-3

Monday

Nottingham Forest v Burnley (3.45pm)

Nottingham Forest will be reasonably pleased with their start to this season, having snatched an away win over Chelsea last time out. Danilo, Wayne Hennessey and Anthony Elanga are doubtful this weekend.

Burnley are struggling to find their groove back in the Premier League, scoring just three goals in three games. Hjalmar Ekdal, Darko Churlinov and Michael Obafemi are out through injury and illness, while Vitinho and loanee Aaron Ramsey are doubtful this weekend.

Burnley have won six of ten contests with Forest.

Prediction: 1-1