The 2024-25 English Premier League season kicked off last weekend with no big surprises. Liverpool veteran Mohamed Salah became the most prolific finisher on opening weekend, scoring his ninth such goal in their win away to promoted Ipswich Town last Saturday.

The fantasy landscape has brought forth some intriguing players to watch. Two strong options for this period are Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who made strong contributions in Matchweek 1 — Mazraoui with the clean sheet and Jota with the first goal in the win at Portman Road.

Brighton v Manchester United (8.30am)

Brighton made an excellent start to life under new coach Fabian Hurzeler with an emphatic win away to Everton. Solly March is out with a knee injury this match, while Bart Verbruggen, Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupiñán, Tariq Lamptey, Evan Ferguson and Yankuba Minteh are doubtful through injury or lack of fitness.

Manchester United defeated Fulham last week, with new recruit Joshua Zirkzee scoring on his Premier League debut. Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund are out with various injuries.

United hold the advantage in this fierce rivalry with eight league wins to Brighton’s six, but the Seagulls have won four of the past five.

Prediction: 1-2

Crystal Palace v West Ham United (11am)

Crystal Palace opened the campaign with defeat away to Brentford. Matheus Franca is out with a rib injury this match for the Eagles.

West Ham narrowly went down to Aston Villa in their home opener. Edson Alvarez is doubtful with a hamstring injury this weekend.

These London neighbours have contested 26 matches in the Premier League, with each club winning nine.

Prediction: 2-2

Fulham v Leicester City (11am)

Fulham failed to take their chances in the loss at Old Trafford. The Cottagers have no injury concerns for their opening home match.

Leicester claimed a valuable home draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday. Jakub Stolarczyk, Conor Coady and Patson Daka are out injured this week for the Foxes.

Fulham have five wins to Leicester’s two through ten league encounters.

Prediction: 1-0

Manchester City v Ipswich Town (11am)

Manchester City cruised past Chelsea to open their quest for five straight league titles. Oscar Bobb and Rodri are out to injury, while new signing Savio is doubtful.

Ipswich gave a strong showing in defeat by Liverpool, their first top-flight game at Portman Road in 23 seasons. Kalvin Phillips cannot play against his parent club owing to league loan rules, Harry Clarke, Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst are out through injury, while Arijanet Muric and Wes Burns doubtful with calf and hamstring injuries.

City edge this rivalry with four wins to Ipswich’s three from eight top-flight contests.

Prediction: 4-0

Southampton v Nottingham Forest (11am)

Southampton suffered a narrow defeat by Newcastle United on opening day. Juan Larios Lopez, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Adam Lallana and Ross Stewart are out with injury or lack of fitness for Saints.

Forest could manage only a home draw with Bournemouth last week. Danilo is out with an ankle injury, while Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga are doubtful.

Forest dominates this series with seven wins to Southampton’s two after 12 encounters.

Prediction: 1-1

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (11am)

Tottenham were restrained to a draw away to promoted Leicester City on Monday. Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro are doubtful this weekend for Spurs.

Everton were smashed at home by Brighton on opening week. Ashley Young is suspended having been sent off, while Jarrad Branthwaite, Séamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, James Garner and Youssef Chermiti are out to injury.

Tottenham dominate this series with 30 wins to Everton’s nine after 64 encounters.

Prediction: 3-1

Aston Villa v Arsenal (1.30pm)

Aston Villa forward Jhon Durán scored a second-half winner to beat West Ham last Saturday. Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are out with knee injuries, while Robin Olsen is doubtful.

Arsenal confidently shut out Wolves last week, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz with the goals. Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out with hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while Fabio Vieira is doubtful with a hip injury this match.

The Gunners lead this match-up with 31 wins to Villa’s 13 through 58 league meetings, but lost both meetings last season, which proved crucial in the title run-in.

Prediction: 2-3

Sunday

Bournemouth v Newcastle United (10am)

Bournemouth come into this game after a challenging draw away to Nottingham Forest. Tyler Adams, David Brooks and Enes Unal are out through injury this week for the Cherries.

Joelinton scored the lone goal as ten-man Newcastle took down Southampton to get their campaign off on a positive note, despite Fabian Schär being sent off. The Swiss defender is suspended for three games, while Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley and Callum Wilson are out injured.

Newcastle have the advantage in this rivalry with four wins to Bournemouth’s three after 12 league encounters.

Prediction: 1-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea (10am)

Wolves will take positives from their road defeat by Arsenal last Saturday. Enso Gonzalez and Leon Chiwome remain out with knee and ankle injuries, with Nelson Semedo still suspended.

Chelsea struggled to make an impact in the opening home defeat by Manchester City. Reece James is suspended, but the Blues have no injury concerns this weekend.

Chelsea have ten wins to six for Wolves through 20 top-flight contests.

Prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v Brentford (12.30pm)

Liverpool clinched victory at promoted Ipswich last week on the competitive English league debut of head coach Arne Slot. The Dutchman has no injury concerns for his first home match at Anfield.

Brentford started another top-flight campaign with a tight home win over Crystal Palace, Yoann Wissa involved in both Bees goals. Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva and new recruit Igor Thiago are out through injury, while Rico Henry is doubtful with a knee injury.

Liverpool have lost just one of their six Premier League meetings with Brentford.

Prediction: 2-1