Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 700th career club goal in all competitions in Manchester United’s away win over Everton at the weekend. Elsewhere in the Premier League, West Ham are finding their scoring form, netting five in their last two games.

Fantasy managers will continue to make adjustments as a result of the challenging schedule for the final month before the World Cup hiatus. Miguel Almiron and Phillip Billing are strong budget midfield options for the coming period.

Friday

Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion (4pm)

Brentford suffered their third loss of the campaign away to Newcastle last Saturday. Pontus Jansson, Christian Norgaard and new recruit Keane Lewis-Potter remain out with various injuries this weekend.

Brighton were narrowly beaten at home by Tottenham last time out. Jakub Moder is the only injury absentee for the Seagulls’ short trip to West London.

Brighton have won both previous top-flight meetings between the clubs.

Prediction: 1-2

Saturday

Leicester City v Crystal Palace (8.30am)

Leicester squandered an early lead to lose 2-1 away to Bournemouth, their seventh loss in nine games. Ryan Bertrand, Ricardo Pereira and Wilfried Ndidi are out for the struggling Foxes, while Timothy Castagne and Nampalys Mendy are doubtful this game.

Crystal Palace came from behind to edge Leeds United at home last week. Nathaniel Clyne and James McArthur are out to ankle and groin injuries respectively, with Jack Butland, Nathan Ferguson and Chris Richards doubtful.

This is a very equal matchup, with each team winning eight of their 20 overall encounters.

Prediction: 1-1

Fulham v Bournemouth (11am)

Fulham have struggled for consistency this season, losing three of their last five games. Summer arrivals Layvin Kurzawa and Manor Solomon are out with knee and calf injuries, while Nathaniel Chalobah is suspended. Willian, Kenny Tete and Aleksandr Mitrovic are doubtful.

Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to five games under caretaker coach Gary O’Neil with victory over Leicester. Lloyd Kelly (ankle) and David Brooks (hamstring) remain out, while Junior Stanislas, Ben Pearson and Joe Rothwell are doubtful for the visit to Craven Cottage.

The away team has won both times these clubs have met.

Prediction: 1-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest (11am)

Wolves are the lowest scorers in the league, and are now in the bottom three after the 3-0 away defeat to Chelsea. Pedro Neto, Francisco Oliveira, Raul Jiménez and Sasa Kalajdžić remain out, Nathan Collins is suspended for another two games, and Adama Traore is ill.

Nottingham Forest climbed off the cellar of the table with their 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa. Omar Richards remains out with a leg injury, while Moussa Niakhaté and Jack Colback are doubtful with muscle and back injuries.

This is the first top-flight meeting between these two Midlands rivals.

Prediction: 1-1

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (1.30pm)

Harry Kane scored the lone goal in Tottenham’s away victory over Brighton. Emerson Royal is suspended for his challenge on Gabriel Martinelli in the North London derby two weeks ago, while Dejan Kulusevski is doubtful.

Everton failed to capitalize on late opportunities in their home loss to Manchester United. Ben Godfrey, Nathan Patterson, and Andros Townsend remain out, while Anthony Gordon is suspended thanks to yellow card accumulation. Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate are doubtful owing to lack of match fitness.

Spurs have dominated this matchup historically, winning 28 of their 60 meetings.

Prediction: 2-0

Sunday

Aston Villa v Chelsea (10am)

Aston Villa took a 1-1 away draw with neighbours Nottingham Forest on Monday. Lucas Digne, Diego Carlos, Ludwig Augustinsson and Boubacar Kamara are out with various injuries, while Leon Bailey is doubtful with a muscle injury.

Chelsea have won four straight matches since the appointment of Graham Potter. Summer arrival Wesley Fofana is out with a knee injury, while N’Golo Kanté and Hakim Ziyech are doubtful for the visit to Villa Park.

The West Midlands club have struggled in this encounter, with the Blues winning 28 of their 64 league meetings.

Prediction: 1-3

Leeds United v Arsenal (10am)

Leeds failed to build on an early lead and lost to Crystal Palace away from home. Stuart Dallas, Leo Hjelde and Adam Forshaw remain out, while Archie Gray and Junior Firpo are doubts for the visit of the Gunners.

Arsenal remain top of the league after a statement home win over Liverpool. Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe are out with hamstring and groin injuries, while summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko is doubtful with a calf injury.

The North London side lead this rivalry, getting 15 wins in their 28 overall contests.

Prediction: 0-3

Manchester United v Newcastle United (10am)

Manchester United got back to league success with the 2-1 comeback away victory over Everton. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek, and Brandon Williams remain out, Scott McTominay is suspended for yellow card accumulation, and Anthony Martial is doubtful with a back injury for the visit of the Magpies.

Newcastle smashed Brentford at home last weekend, with Bruno Guimarães scoring his first goals of the season. Emil Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey, and summer recruit Alexander Isak are out for head coach Eddie Howe.

The Red Devils have won 32 of their 54 meetings, scoring at least three goals in four of the last five encounters.

Prediction: 2-1

Southampton v West Ham United (10am)

Southampton have lost six of their first nine matches this term, most recently away to Manchester City. Tino Livramento and Roméo Lavia remain out this week.

West Ham cruised to their second-straight win to push further away from the drop zone, summer signing Gianluca Scamacca scoring in his third-straight game in all competitions. Nayef Aguerd remains out with an ankle injury, with Maxwel Cornet doubtful to a calf injury.

The Hammers edge this series with 19 wins to twelve for Saints.

Prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v Manchester City (12.30pm)

Liverpool have won just once since their historic 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth, dropping to tenth after eight games. Key injuries continue to pose a major issue for manager Jurgen Klopp, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, and summer recruit Arthur Melo out, and Andy Robertson, Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones doubtful.

Manchester City continue to demolish anyone in their way, scoring a record 33 goals in their first nine league matches. Pep Guardiola’s side will be without Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips, while John Stones is doubtful for the battle in Merseyside.

The defending league champions are unbeaten in the last five league meetings (two wins and three draws), but the Reds lead the overall series with 21 wins to City’s 11.

Prediction: 1-3