The Premier League nears its halfway point with Erling Haaland continuing to break records, this time becoming the fastest player to hit 50 Premier League goals, doing so in just his 48th game. That new mark is 17 matches quicker than Andy Cole.

Fantasy managers have quite a few challenging selection choices to make, and a good midfield budget option is West Ham’s new recruit Mohamed Kudus, who has double-digit tallies in his last two league appearances, and registered five goal contributions in his four league starts since joining from Ajax.

Congratulations to November monthly winner Nazari Woods, whose team “General Kante” amassed 209 points, while Benjamin Smith and “Eze does it” has taken the overall lead with 864 points.

Saturday

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers (11am)

Arsenal climbed back to the summit of the table after their narrow London derby win at Brentford, with Kai Havertz netting the winner in the final minute of normal time. Fabio Vieira, Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey are out for the Gunners this week, while Emile Smith-Rowe.

Wolves conceded a late penalty to fall to defeat at Fulham on Monday night and are without Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina through suspension this week, Joe Hodge and Nathan Fraser are out to injury, while Pedro Neto and Rayan Ait-Nouri are doubtful for the West Midlands club.

The Gunners dominate this rivalry, winning 12 of 18 league meetings.

Prediction: 2-0

Brentford v Luton Town (11am)

Brentford were punished for a lack of clinical edge against Arsenal. Nathan Collins, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Kevin Schade are out through injury, while Josh Dasilva, Mads Roerslev, Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen are doubtful for the Bees.

Luton got their first Premier League home win over Crystal Palace last week to climb four points clear of the drop zone. Mads Juel Andersen, Reece Burke, Dan Potts, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Cauley Woodrow are out for the Hatters, while Issa Kabore and Marvelous Nakamba are doubtful.

This is the first top-flight meeting between these clubs.

Prediction: 2-0

Burnley v Sheffield United (11am)

Burnley are right in the mix of the relegation scrap and could be cut adrift if results do not improve after seven defeats in their last eight league games. Arijanet Muric, Jack Cork, Lyle Foster and Manuel Benson are doubts to illness or lack of fitness this week.

Sheffield United got their first win early in the month over Wolves but remain in the drop zone. Chris Basham, John Egan, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Tom Davies, Rhian Brewster, and Daniel Jebbison are out to various injuries for the Blades this week.

Sheffield United edge this match-up with two wins to Burnley’s one through four contests.

Prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest v Everton (1.30pm)

Nottingham Forest are on a small slump of one win in their last five, but still remain eight points clear of the bottom three. Felipe and Ibrahim Sangare are doubtful this weekend for Forest.

Everton could not find their shooting boots in a heavy home loss to Manchester United. Andre Gomes and Dele Alli are out to calf and hip injuries, while Amadou Onana is doubtful.

Everton lead this rivalry with six wins to Forest’s four through 12 encounters.

Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle United v Manchester United (4pm)

Newcastle are still in with a chance of reaching the knockout stage in their first Champions League showing for over two decades after a draw in France to PSG. Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Matt Targett, and Ashley Barnes are out injured, while Sean Longstaff, Javi Manquillo, Joe Willock, and Callum Wilson are doubtful.

United smashed Everton for their fifth win in six league games. Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Amad Diallo, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are out injured, while Mason Mount is doubtful.

United have won 32 of 56 league contests with the Magpies, although Newcastle are unbeaten in the last three.

Prediction: 2-1

Sunday

Bournemouth v Aston Villa (10am)

Bournemouth have won three of their last five matches under head coach Andoni Iraola. The Cherries willbe without Ryan Fredericks, Max Aarons, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams this week. Lloyd Kelly and Emiliano Marcondes are doubtful.

Aston Villa came from behind to beat Tottenham and move above their London-based rivals. Boubacar Kamara is suspended, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, and Bertrand Traore are out to injury, while Nicolo Zaniolo is doubtful to a minor knock.

The Cherries lead this head to head with four wins to Aston Villa’s two after six league meetings.

Prediction: 1-3

Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion (10am)

Chelsea are stuttering in mid-table after a heavy defeat at Newcastle last time out and have Marc Cucurella (yellow cards) and Reece James (sent off) suspended this weekend.

Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku are out to injury, while Malo Gusto is doubtful with a minor knee injury.

Brighton have taken three draws in their last five but are missing Lewis Dunk and Mohamed Dahoud with suspension.

Pervis Estupinan, Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster, Julio Enciso, Solly March, Ansu Fati, and Danny Welbeck are out injured, while James Milner and Kaoru Mitoma are doubtful for the Seagulls.

The Blues lead this series with six wins to Brighton’s two after 12 contests.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Fulham (10am)

Liverpool are right in the thick of the title race after their draw at Manchester City. Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, Stefan Bajcetic, Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara are out to injury this week.

Fulham narrowly defeated Wolves at home on Monday to move level on points with them. Issa Diop and Adama Traore are out injured, while Matthew Dibley-Dias and Rodrigo Muniz are doubtful this match.

Liverpool have tasted victory in 19 of 32 battles with Fulham.

Prediction: 3-0

West Ham United v Crystal Palace (10am)

West Ham are still within touching distance of the European places. Michail Antonio is out with a knee injury, while Jarrod Bowen is doubtful with a less-serious knee strain for the Hammers this week.

Crystal Palace are sliding down the table after scoring the third-fewest goals in the division (13). Dean Henderson, Cheick Doucoure and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are out injured, with James Tomkins and Ebere Eze doubtful for this London derby.

The Hammers hold the advantage in this London battle, taking nine wins to Palace’s eight through 24 contests.

Prediction: 3-2

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (12.30pm)

Manchester City stumbled to a home draw with Liverpool, whom they lead by one point. Kevin de Bruyne is out with a hamstring injury, while Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are doubtful with muscle injuries this week.

Spurs have lost three straight games after going the first ten unbeaten. Cristian Romero is suspended and Alfie Whiteman, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Micky van de Ven, Ashley Phillips, James Maddison, Richarlison, Manor Solomon and Rodrigo Bentancur are out with various injuries, while Pape Matar Sarr are doubtful this match.

Spurs have beaten City in over half of their encounters.

Prediction: 2-2