The English Premier League season got off to an intriguing start last weekend, with several storylines building. Spurs manager Antonio Conte began his first full campaign at the North London club in style. In stark contrast, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag endured a steep learning curve of managing in the English top flight.

This term brings about some interesting moves on the fantasy front as well, although Son Heung Min and Mohamed Salah continued where they left off last term. They remain the best premium options, but Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli would be a strong budget option in midfield, while Brentford forward Ivan Toney is a decent, mid-priced suggestion in attack.

Saturday

Aston Villa v Everton

8.30am

Aston Villa could not get going on the road against Bournemouth, losing 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium in the curtain-raiser of Steven Gerrard’s first full season as a Premier League manager. Kourtney Hause is out with a knee injury, while Keinan Davis is doubtful because of a lack of match sharpness.

Everton failed to capitalise on plenty of late chances in the home loss to Chelsea. Ben Godfrey, who was carried off inside 15 minutes, is out for three months after successful ankle surgery. Meanwhile, Andros Townsend, Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will also miss the trip to Birmingham. Séamus Coleman and Yerry Mina are doubts.

This match-up is quite even, although the West Midlands side have 22 wins to the Toffees’ 13. Villa are unbeaten in the past five meetings.

Prediction: 1-1

Arsenal v Leicester City

11am

Arsenal continue the third full campaign under manager Mikel Arteta off the back of a comfortable 2-0 away win over Crystal Palace on opening night last Friday. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith-Rowe and new recruit Fabio Vieira are doubts owing to fitness.

Leicester blew a two-goal advantage to draw at home to Brentford on Sunday. The Foxes will be without Ryan Bertrand, Harvey Barnes and Ricardo Pereira for their visit to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners dominate this fixture historically, winning 19 of 32 overall battles.

Prediction: 2-0

Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United

11am

Brighton showed their team ethic and superior experience in the English game under Graham Potter by outplaying and defeating Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Jakub Moder (knee) is the only absentee for the Seagulls.

Newcastle have been tipped to challenge the traditional top six this season, and showed why with a dominant 2-0 home win over Nottingham Forest. Federico Fernandez, Jamal Lewis, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles are doubts for head coach Eddie Howe.

There have been five draws in ten overall meetings, with the South Coast side winning four to one victory for the Magpies. Newcastle have never beaten Brighton away from home.

Prediction: 1-2

Manchester City v Bournemouth

11am

Manchester City navigated the most challenging fixture of Matchweek 1, cruising to a 2-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium. Norway striker Erling Haaland scored on his Premier League debut. Aymeric Laporte is the only injury concern for the champions.

Bournemouth showed their intent to survive in the Premier League with an important 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa, making the Cherries the only promoted side to win on the opening weekend. Manager Scott Parker cannot rely on the services of Ryan Fredericks and Joe Rothwell at the Etihad, while David Brooks is a doubt.

Manchester City have won all ten Premier League meetings, with an aggregate margin of 13-4 over the past five.

Prediction: 4-0

Southampton v Leeds United

11am

Southampton paid for a poorly balanced approach to the 4-1 away defeat to Tottenham. Tino Livramento, Theo Walcott, and Nathan Tella are out for the Saints.

Leeds showed character and team spirit to come from behind and edge Wolves at Elland Road. Their lack of squad depth could cost manager Jesse Marsch. Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Junior Firpo, Adam Forshaw and Luis Sinisterra are out for the long journey to the South Coast.

The Yorkshire side enjoy this match-up, winning 14 to Saints’ six across 28 meetings, including seven victories away from home.

Prediction: 0-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham

11am

Wolves failed to make use of momentum and were made to pay in their away defeat to Leeds. Chiquinho, Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez are out, while Nelson Semedo and João Moutinho are doubts.

Fulham enjoyed an impressive return to life in the big-time with a 2-2 home draw with Liverpool. Nathaniel Chalobah and key winger Harry Wilson are out, while defender Joe Bryan is a doubt with a hand injury.

Wolves have won exactly half of the 12 matches between the teams. Their past three have come by a 1-0 scoreline.

Prediction: 2-1

Brentford v Manchester United

1.30pm

Brentford will take confidence from their comeback draw at Leicester, as they aim to dispel as myth any talk of “second-season syndrome”. They will not be helped by the injuries to key squad members Sergi Caños, Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock.

Manchester United showed few signs of change under Dutch coach Ten Hag in the home loss to Brighton. Anthony Martial will be slowly introduced back into the squad from a hamstring injury, while Facundo Pellistri is a doubt with an ankle problem.

The Red Devils may have won both previous Premier League meetings, but this one feels different, owing to the high scrutiny which could be mounting for the away side.

Prediction: 0-2

Sunday

Nottingham Forest v West Ham United

10am

Nottingham Forest showed their lack of top-flight experience in the 2-0 defeat away to Newcastle, their first Premier League game since 1999. New recruit Omar Richards and veteran midfielder Ryan Yates are out for head coach Steve Cooper.

West Ham could not make home advantage pay, instead dropping to a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City. Defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd are out, while Craig Dawson and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski are doubts for the short trip north to the East Midlands.

The Irons dominate this rivalry, winning four of the previous eight match-ups. They have not met in the top tier since 1999, at the old Upton Park, where the hosts won 2-1.

Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur

12.30pm

Chelsea survived a late spell of pressure to edge Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park last Saturday. Manager Thomas Tuchel has a fully fit squad to work with.

Tottenham Hotspur took advantage of sloppy defending to dominate Southampton in their 4-1 home win. Oliver Skipp is the only injury concern for Italian manager Conte.

The Blues have dominated this London derby which pits west against north, with 33 wins in 60 meetings, while the whites have won only seven times.

Prediction: 2-2

Monday

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

4pm

Liverpool new signing Darwin Nuñez made an impressive impact off the bench on his Premier League debut, but the Reds struggled to a 2-2 draw away to promoted Fulham last Saturday. Manager Jürgen Klopp has a fitness dilemma. Caiomhin Kelleher, Ibrahima Konaté, Kostas Tsimikas, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota remain out for various injuries. Thiago Alcántara and Naby Keita are doubts.

Crystal Palace put on a valiant showing, but fell just short and lost 2-0 at home to London neighbours Arsenal on opening night. James Tomkins, James McArthur and Michael Olise are out for Patrick Vieira’s men, while goalkeeper Jack Butland is a doubt with a hand injury for the journey to Merseyside.

Liverpool hold a strong upper hand, winning 18 of their 26 encounters to the Eagles’ five. The Reds have won the past five meetings by a cumulative score of 19-1.

Prediction: 3-1