The Premier League season got back under way last weekend with a few intriguing stories developing.

Newcastle recorded their biggest-
ever opening day win at home to Aston Villa, while champions Manchester City picked up where they left off away to newly promoted Burnley.

The Fantasy landscape brought forth some fascinating options as well for the coming weeks.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who scored twice in the 5-1 thrashing over Villa, could be a strong option to partner the inevitable Erling Haaland, for those selecting two attackers in their team.

Friday

Nottingham Forest v Sheffield United (3.45pm)

Nottingham Forest failed to take their best chances in their narrow 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and key defender Felipe are out to knee injuries this weekend.

Sheffield United could not find the net in the home defeat to Crystal Palace. Jayden Bogle, Rhys Norrington-Davies, John Fleck and Rhian Brewster are out, while Daniel Jebbison, Ismaila Coulibaly and Oliver McBurnie are doubtful this weekend for the Blades.

United edge this match-up with five wins to Forest’s four through 15 contests, six of which have been drawn.

Prediction: 1-1

Saturday

Fulham v Brentford (11am)

Fulham winger Bobby Reid scored a second-half winner at Everton on opening Saturday after keeper Bernd Leno made four excellent saves in the first period.

João Palhinha is out with a shoulder injury, the only current absentee for manager Marco Silva this match.

Brentford opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham.

Ivan Toney remains suspended, while Ben Mee, Mathias Jensen and Frank Onyeka are doubtful with various injuries this weekend.

The Bees dominate this match-up, with seven wins from 12 meetings.

Prediction: 2-2

Liverpool v Bournemouth (11am)

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, with Luis Díaz scoring their first goal of the campaign.

The Reds have no injury concerns for their home curtain-raiser this weekend.

Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke scored their first league goal under new head coach Andoni Iraola in the 1-1 draw with West Ham.

Ryan Fredericks, Lloyd Kelly, Adam Smith, Dango Ouattara, Marcus Tavernier and Alex Scott are out with various injuries this weekend, while Lewis Cook is doubtful with a hip injury.

Liverpool have won 12 of their 15 encounters with Bournemouth, tying the record margin of victory (9-0) in this fixture last season.

Prediction: 3-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v 
Brighton & Hove Albion 
(11am)

Wolves were punished for poor finishing in the 1-0 away defeat to Manchester United on Monday.

The West Midlands club have no existing injury worries.

Brighton new signing Simon Adingra scored on his debut as the Seagulls smashed Luton 4-1 last weekend.

Adam Webster and Adam Lallana are doubts for the visit to Molineux.

Wolves and Brighton have drawn seven of their 14 contests, though Brighton have won five and Wolves two.

Prediction: 1-2

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United (1.30pm)

Tottenham got two assists from recruit James Maddison in the 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Fraser Forster, Alfie Whiteman, Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur and Bryan Gil are out, while Cristian Romero is doubtful with a head injury for the North London home debut of manager Ange Postecoglou.

Manchester United edged Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night despite conceding 23 shots, their most in a home league match since 2005.

Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund are out for the Red Devils, while Anthony Martial is doubtful with a hamstring injury this weekend.

United have won 44 of 68 meetings with Spurs, including 16 away from home.

Prediction: 2-3

Manchester City v Newcastle United (4pm)

Manchester City dominated large spells of the 3-0 away to Burnley, but key midfielder Kevin de Bruyne could be out for several months after re-aggravating a hamstring injury he suffered during the Champions League final in June.

John Stones is also doubtful with a hip injury.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali scored on his debut after six minutes in the 5-1 win over Aston Villa.

Emil Krafth, Javier Manquillo and Joe Willock are out for the trip to the champions.

City have won 30 of 49 league meetings with the Magpies.

Prediction: 2-2

Sunday

Aston Villa v Everton (10am)

Aston Villa new recruit Moussa Diaby scored his first Premier League goal on debut in the defeat to Newcastle.

Alex Moreno, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Leander Dendoncker, Tim Iroegbunam, Jacob Ramsey, Bertrand Traoré and Jhon Duran are out to injury this weekend for the Clarets.

Everton could not beat impenetrable goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the home defeat to Fulham.

Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli and Dwight McNeil are out to injury, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is doubtful owing to lack of fitness for the Toffees this match.

Villa hold the advantage with 24 wins to Everton’s 14 through 57 contests.

Prediction: 3-1

West Ham United v Chelsea (12.30pm)

West Ham squandered a lead with eight minutes remaining, but held on to a draw at Bournemouth.

New signing Edson Álvarez is out owing to lack of fitness.

Chelsea showed glimpses of change in the opening draw with Liverpool, with debutant Axel Disasi scoring just before halftime.

Benoît Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku are out to injury this weekend.

Chelsea have taken 29 wins from 55 top-flight meetings with the Hammers.

Prediction: 1-1

Monday

Crystal Palace v Arsenal (4pm)

Crystal Palace withstood some early pressure before Odsonne Édouard scored from close range to give the Eagles victory over Sheffield United.

Will Hughes, Michael Olise and Matheus França are out to injury this weekend.

Arsenal comfortably defeated Nottingham Forest to begin the campaign on a positive note. Jurrien Timber, Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus are out with knee injuries for the weekend, but Timber could miss the rest of the season.

The Gunners dominate this rivalry between North and South London, winning 16 of 28 meetings with Palace.

Prediction: 1-3