The January transfer window has now closed and there were some intriguing late moves with Chelsea breaking the British transfer record for Enzo Fernzndez and Newcastle signing winger Anthony Gordon from Everton.

Gordon is a strong suggestion for potential new recruits to your team in the coming months, while now may be the time to jettison Everton players, despite the club announcing the appointment of Sean Dyche this week.

Many congratulations to January monthly winner Julian Carpenter, who amassed 265 points with his team Untouchables. He also holds the overall lead with 1,336 points.

Friday

Chelsea v Fulham (4pm)

Chelsea have won just one of their last six games in all competitions. Edouard Mendy, N’Golo Kanté, Christian Pulisic, Denis Zakaria and Armando Broja are out through injury.

João Félix serves the last of his three-match ban for his red card against Fulham, while Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling are doubtful.

Fulham are in their highest position at the halfway stage of a top-flight league season in history. Neeskens Kebano remains out with an Achilles injury for the West London club this weekend.

The Blues dominate this rivalry, winning 19 of the 31 Premier League meetings.

Prediction: 1-2

Saturday

Everton v Arsenal (8.30am)

Everton have scored the second-fewest goals in the division (15) but are back under new management with the arrival of gravel-voiced Sean Dyche, the former Burnley manager. Nathan Patterson is out with a knee injury while Michael Keane, Andros Townsend, James Garner, and Ben Godfrey are all doubtful.

With 50 points, Arsenal have the fifth-highest total of any team at the halfway stage in Premier League history. Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Jesus remain out for them, while Thomas Partey is doubtful.

The North London club holds a substantial advantage in this fixture, with 35 wins to Everton’s 11.

Prediction: 0-2

Aston Villa v Leicester City (11am)

Aston Villa have taken 18 points from their first seven league games under Unai Emery. Diego Carlos remains out with an Achilles injury, while Lucas Digne and John McGinn are doubtful.

Leicester City remain three points clear of the bottom three but are winless in five league matches. Ryan Bertrand, James Justin, Boubakary Soumaré and Jamie Vardy are out, while Jonny Evans, Ricardo Pereira and Wilfried Ndidi are doubtful.

The Foxes edge this Midlands derby, with ten victories through 26 overall encounters.

Prediction: 1-1

Brentford v Southampton (11am)

Brentford aspire to European football despite only managing a draw at Leeds last time out. Pontus Jansson and Frank Onyeka are out with hamstring injuries, while Shandon Baptiste is out through a lack of fitness.

Southampton have yet to string consecutive league wins together and remain two points from safety at the bottom of the table. Tino Livramento and Juan Larios Lopez are out with knee and muscle injuries respectively, while Alex McCarthy, Kyle Walker-Peters and Stuart Armstrong are doubtful.

Each side has taken one win from their first two meetings in the Premier League.

Prediction: 2-0

Brighton & Hove Albion v Bournemouth (11am)

Brighton are another surprise package this season, losing just twice in their previous eight league matches. Alexis Mac Allister is suspended thanks to yellow-card accumulation, Jakub Moder is out with a knee injury, while Levi Colwill, Adam Lallana, Facundo Buonanotte and Evan Ferguson are doubtful.

Bournemouth have just one win from their last twelve matches in all competitions, slipping into the drop zone on goal difference. Striker Dominic Solanke is out with a knee injury, while Ryan Fredericks, Junior Stanislas, David Brooks, Lewis Cook, Philip Billing and Marcus Tavernier are doubtful.

Bournemouth have won four of the six encounters between these sides in the top flight.

Prediction: 3-1

Manchester United v Crystal Palace (11am)

Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen are out with knee and ankle injuries, Jack Butland cannot face his parent club due to league loan rules, while Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay are doubtful for the Red Devils.

Crystal Palace may blood new signings Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal and Naouirou Ahamada as they continue to struggle for consistency with just one win in seven games.

James McArthur is out with a hip injury, while Nathan Ferguson, Wilfried Zaha and Joachim Andersen are doubtful for the visit to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils dominate this series, winning 18 of the 27 league meetings with the Eagles.

Prediction: 2-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool (11am)

Wolves have made a mixed start under new coach Julen Lopetegui and occupy the final survival spot on goal difference. Pedro Neto, Francisco Oliveira, Boubacar Traoré and Sasa Kalajdžić are out this weekend.

Liverpool were eliminated in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Brighton last weekend. Virgil van Dijk, Luis Díaz, Arthur Melo, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are out for the Merseyside club, while Fabio Carvalho and Ibrahima Konaté are doubtful.

Liverpool have won 13 of 16 encounters against Wolves.

Prediction: 1-2

Newcastle United v West Ham United (1.30pm)

Newcastle edged Southampton at home in midweek to reach their first cup final in more than two decades. Midfielder Bruno Guimarães is suspended for three matches after getting sent off on Wednesday, Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett are out, while Alexander Isak is doubtful with a head injury.

West Ham found a crucial victory over Everton last time out to enhance their chances of survival. Maxwel Cornet, Gianluca Scamacca, Kurt Zouma and Danny Ings are doubtful with various injuries.

The Magpies edge this rivalry with 22 wins to 14 for the Hammers.

Prediction: 1-0

Sunday

Nottingham Forest v Leeds United (10am)

Nottingham Forest have pulled four points clear of the drop zone after conceding just twice in their four league matches this year. Dean Henderson, Giulian Biancone, new recruit Jonjo Shelvey and Cheikhou Kouyaté are out, while Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moussa Niakhaté and Omar Richards are doubtful.

Leeds have three draws in their last five league games. Stuart Dallas is out with a leg injury and fellow defender Robin Koch is suspended for yellow-card accrual, while Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray, Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk, Crysensio Summerville, and Tyler Adams are doubtful.

The East Midlands club edge this series with 4 wins to 3 for Leeds, who have never beaten Forest at the City Ground in the top flight.

Prediction: 2-2

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City (12.30pm)

Tottenham kept their European hopes alive with victory at West London neighbours Fulham last league weekend. Lucas Moura, Pape Matar Sarr, and Richarlison are doubtful this weekend.

Manchester City kept their quest for three straight league titles alive with victory over Wolves last time and followed that with an FA Cup home win over current leaders Arsenal. John Stones and Phil Foden are doubtful this weekend.

Spurs dominate this rivalry with 27 wins to City’s 17.

Prediction: 2-2