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Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley a superb budget option

Conor Bradley scored his first goal for Liverpool in the 4-1 rout of Chelsea

Fantasy managers will soon have a selection conundrum as the bigger sides prepare to return to European competition midway through February. One example of a big opportunity comes to Liverpool full back Conor Bradley, with his goal and two assists in midweek pushing him into serious contention as a budget defender choice and differential pick.

Saturday

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur (8.30am)

Everton dropped into the relegation zone after the midweek draw at Fulham. Andre Gomes, Dele Alli and Abdoulaye Doucoure are out through injury, while Seamus Coleman, Amadou Onana and Arnaut Danjuma are doubtful.

Tottenham came from a goal down to hold off Brentford and solidify their Champions League spot. Alfie Whiteman, Ryan Sessegnon, Yves Bissouma, Giovani Lo Celso, Heung Min Son, Manor Solomon and Alejo Veliz are out to injury or international duty; while Pape Matar Sarr is doubtful.

Prediction: 2-2

Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace (11am)

Brighton were smashed at Luton on Tuesday in their heaviest defeat to a promoted side in the Premier League.

Joel Veltman, Simon Adingra, Julio Enciso, Kaoru Mitoma, Solly March and Ansu Fati are out to injury/illness or international duty, while James Milner and Joao Pedro are doubtful through injury.

Crystal Palace regrouped from their smashing at Arsenal with a tight home win over Sheffield United in midweek. Rob Holding and Cheick Doucoure are out through injury, while Joel Ward, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are doubtful.

Prediction: 2-0

Burnley v Fulham (11am)

Burnley suffered defeat at Manchester City in manager Vincent Kompany’s return to his former stomping ground on Wednesday. Nathan Redmond and Luka Koleosho are out to injury, while Jordan Beyer, Charlie Taylor and Hannes Delcroix are doubtful.

Fulham drew at home to Everton midweek and have won just once in their last six matches. Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi are on international duty, Harry Wilson and Adama Traore are out with injury, while Matthew Dibley-Dias, Issa Diop and Raul Jimenez are doubtful.

The Clarets edge this match-up with three wins to Fulham’s two from their seven contests.

Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle United v Luton Town (11am)

Newcastle stopped a run of four straight league defeats with victory at Aston Villa. Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson, Joelinton and Joe Willock are out with various injuries, while Jamaal Lascelles, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are doubtful.

Luton got their most impressive results of the campaign, destroying Brighton 4-0 in midweek. Tom Lockyer, Mads Juel Andersen and Marvelous Nakamba are out to injury, while Jacob Brown and Teden Mengi are doubtful.

The Hatters edged Newcastle 1-0 in their only previous Premier League meeting.

Prediction: 2-2

Sheffield United v Aston Villa (1.30pm)

Sheffield United narrowly lost at Crystal Palace are adrift at the bottom of the league. Rhian Brewster is still suspended with George Baldock, John Egan and Chris Basham out to injury. Ivo Grbic, Daniel Jebbison and Ben Brereton Diaz are doubtful.

Aston Villa’s 17-game unbeaten home league run was ended by defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday. Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Emiliano Buendia and Jhon Duran are out through injury, while Lucas Digne is doubtful.

Villa dominate this rivalry, winning six of eleven meetings with the Blades.

Prediction: 0-3

Sunday

Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest (10am)

Bournemouth drew 1-1 at West Ham on Thursday to bounce back from consecutive league losses. Ryan Fredericks, James Hill, Max Aarons and Tyler Adams are out with injuries this weekend.

Nottingham Forest lost at home to Arsenal in midweek and it was their eighth defeat in their last 11 league outings. Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangare are on international duty, Divock Origi out with a muscle injury and Felipe is doubtful.

Prediction: 2-0

Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers (10am)

Chelsea were soundly beaten 4-1 at Liverpool on Wednesday. Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Lesley Ugochukwu and Romeo Lavia are out through injury, while Trevoh Chalobah is doubtful.

Wolves lost to Manchester United on Thursday and have lost Hwang Hee-Chan and Boubacar Traore on international assignment.

Chelsea have won ten of 19 meetings with Wolves.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester United v West Ham United (10am)

Manchester United looked good in the win against Wolves on Thursday. Anthony Martial is out with a groin injury, while Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford are doubtful to injury, illness or lack of fitness.

West Ham drew with Bournemouth on Thursday as they looked to close in on the Champions League spots. Vladimir Coufal is suspended, while Lucas Paqueta, Michail Antonio and Edson Alvarez are doubtful.

Manchester United have taken 33 of their 55 meetings with the Hammers.

Prediction: 2-0

Arsenal v Liverpool (12.30pm)

Arsenal edged Forest to come back into the title hunt and within five points of their visitors. Takehiro Tomiyasu is on international duty and Jurrien Timber is out with a knee injury, while Fabio Vieira and Thomas Partey are doubtful.

Liverpool destroyed Chelsea in midweek, with young player Bradley netting his first home top-flight goal. Joel Matip, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic, Mohamed Salah and Thiago are out injured this weekend.

Liverpool are unbeaten in the last five meetings with Arsenal, and lead overall with 25 wins to Arsenal’s 17 through 63 contests.

Prediction: 1-2

Monday

Brentford v Manchester City (4pm)

Brentford were narrowly beaten at London neighbours Tottenham despite Neil Maupay scoring in four straight league games for the first time in his career. Kim Ji Soo, Frank Onyeka, Saman Ghoddos and Yoane Wissa are on international duty, while Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade are out injured for the Bees.

Manchester City beat Burnley to keep in touch with the title race and the champions have no new injury concerns.

Prediction: 2-1

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Published February 02, 2024 at 7:58 am (Updated February 02, 2024 at 7:38 am)

Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley a superb budget option

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