Fantasy managers also have some interesting choices to make heading into the busiest period of the campaign, with many clubs having to play twice a week due to European engagements.

Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon and Aston Villa star Moussa Diaby are two solid budget midfield options, despite both being involved in continental football.

Saturday

Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion (8.30am)

Aston Villa recorded their fourth win in six matches at Chelsea last time out. Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia and Tim Iroegbunam are out for the West Midlands club this weekend, while Bertrand Traore and Alex Moreno are doubtful.

Brighton cruised past Bournemouth to continue their impressive start to the season and maintain their record as top scorers in the division. Julio Enciso, Pascal Gross and James Milner are out through injury for the Seagulls.

Villa have won five of eight league contests with Brighton.

Prediction: 1-2

Bournemouth v Arsenal (11am)

Bournemouth have yet to register their first win under Spanish coach Andoni Iraola. Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams are out to long-term injuries, while Lloyd Kelly is doubtful with a minor calf injury for the Cherries.

Arsenal dropped points for the second time at home this campaign in the North London derby against Tottenham. Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey are out, with Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice doubtful for the Gunners.

Arsenal have won nine of 12 meetings with Bournemouth.

Prediction: 0-2

Everton v Luton Town (11am)

Everton put on an impressive display to defeat Brentford for their first victory of the campaign. Seamus Coleman and Dele Alli are out to knee and hip injuries respectively, while loanee Jack Harrison is doubtful owing to lack of fitness.

Luton got their first point with the home draw with Wolves. Gabriel Osho, Dan Potts and Jordan Clark remain out for the Hatters, while Ross Barkley is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester United v Crystal Palace (11am)

Manchester United ended a run of four defeats in six matches in all competitions with victory at Burnley. Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo are out through injury, while Lisandro Martinez is doubtful this weekend.

Crystal Palace drew with Fulham last week and sit one point behind this week’s opponents. James Tomkins, Naouirou Ahamada, Jefferson Lerma, Michael Olise and new recruit Matheus Franca are out through injury, while Odsonne Edouard is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

United have won 19 of 28 encounters with Palace.

Prediction: 2-0

Newcastle United v Burnley (11am)

Newcastle recorded their biggest Premier League win at Sheffield United last weekend to climb to eighth in the table. Emil Krafth, Joelinton, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes are out through injury this match for the Magpies, while Alex Murphy is doubtful.

Burnley suffered a narrow defeat to Manchester United to remain winless thus far. Lyle Foster serves the second of his three-match suspension, Hjalmar Ekdal, Darko Churlinov, and Michael Obafemi are out to injury or illness, while Manuel Benson and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are doubtful this week for the Clarets.

Newcastle hold the edge in this rivalry, winning six of their 12 encounters.

Prediction: 2-1

West Ham United v Sheffield United (11am)

West Ham remain in a strong seventh position despite the away defeat to Liverpool last weekend. Aaron Cresswell is doubtful with a hamstring injury for the Hammers.

Sheffield United will be hoping to bounce back from their worst Premier League defeat to Newcastle last week. Max Lowe, Rhys Norrington-Davies, John Fleck, Ben Osborn and Rhian Brewster are out this weekend to injury or illness, while George Baldock, Daniel Jebbison and William Osula are doubtful.

This match is an even rivalry, with each club winning three of their eight league meetings.

Prediction: 2-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City (11am)

Wolves drew at Luton last weekend but have lost four of their first six league games. New recruit Tommy Doyle is ineligible to face City due to league loan rules, while Jean-Ricner Bellegarde serves the first of a three-game suspension.

Manchester City have made an impeccable start to their quest for a fourth straight Premier League title, winning their first six games. John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne are out injured, while Rodri is suspended after being sent off against Nottingham Forest.

City have won 12 of their 18 meetings with Wolves.

Prediction: 0-2

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool (1.30pm)

Tottenham came from behind twice to draw the North London derby with Arsenal. Alfie Whiteman, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur, Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso are out with injury, while Brennan Johnson and James Maddison are doubtful this weekend.

Liverpool defeated West Ham to move within two points of leaders Man City and enhance their title credentials. Thiago Alcantara is out through lack of fitness, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Liverpool dominate this rivalry, winning exactly half (31 of 62) of their meetings with Spurs.

Prediction: 2-3

Sunday

Nottingham Forest v Brentford (10am)

Nottingham Forest fell to defeat at Manchester City, their third loss in a mixed start to their season. Danilo is out with a hamstring injury, while loanee Nuno Tavares is doubtful with a groin injury this week.

Brentford have suffered consecutive league defeats to fall to mid-table. Rico Henry, Ben Mee, Shandon Baptiste, Josh Dasilva and Kevin Schade are out to injury for the Bees this week, while Mikkel Damsgaard is doubtful to a muscle injury.

Brentford secured a draw from their latest visit to the City Ground, and edged Forest in the reverse fixture last campaign.

Prediction: 1-1

Monday

Fulham v Chelsea (4pm)

Fulham took a goalless draw from their visit to Crystal Palace last week, but have struggled to find the net so far, scoring just five goals in six games. Tosin Adarabioyo, Sasa Lukic and Adama Traore are out this weekend, while Kenny Tete is doubtful with a groin injury.

Chelsea are having similar conversion problems to their hosts, making their worst league start in 40 years. New recruit Malo Gusto is suspended for three games after being sent off against Aston Villa; Nicholas Jackson is suspended for yellow card accumulation; Marcus Bettinelli, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku are all out injured, while Noni Madueke is doubtful.

Chelsea have won 19 of 32 encounters with West London rivals Fulham.

Prediction: 0-1