The Fantasy League concludes its first month with more fascinating stories, including new recruit Sam Szmodics scoring the first top-flight goal for Ipswich since 2002 in the defeat to Manchester City.

Fantasy managers have several difficult choices for the autumn period. Chelsea duo Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, the former scoring a hat-trick at Wolves last week, are good options for the next few matches either side of the international window.

Saturday, August 31

Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion (8.30am)

Arsenal cruised past Aston Villa last week to start the campaign with consecutive clean sheets. Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss this match with hamstring and knee injuries, while Gabriel Jesus is doubtful with a groin injury.

Brighton have made an impressive start to life under new coach Fabian Hurzeler after they edged Manchester United last week. Solly March is out with a knee injury, while Bart Verbruggen, Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson are doubtful.

Prediction: 2-0

Brentford v Southampton (11am)

Brentford could not withstand Liverpool’s dominance in their defeat at Anfield on Sunday. Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva and Igor Thiago are out with hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while Rico Henry faces a late fitness test after suffering a minor knee injury this week.

Southampton lacked attacking threat in the home defeat to Nottingham Forest last week. First-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is out with an achilles injury, while Juan Larios Lopez, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Adam Lallana and Ross Stewart are doubtful

Prediction: 2-0

Everton v Bournemouth (11am)

Everton have conceded seven goals in their first two Premier League fixtures and have Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and Youssuf Chermiti absent. James Garner is a doubt with a calf injury.

Bournemouth are still searching for their first win after the home draw with Newcastle last week. Tyler Adams, David Brooks and Enes Unal will miss this match for the Cherries.

Prediction: 1-2

Ipswich Town v Fulham (11am)

Ipswich made an impressive start but fell to a heavy defeat at champions Manchester City last week and also lost in the Carabao Cup to League Two side AFC Wimbledon in midweek.

They have Jack Clarke, Nathan Broadhead, Wes Burns and George Hirst out.

Fulham bounced back from defeat against Manchester United on opening night with a home victory over Leicester and they have a fully-fit squad.

Prediction: 1-1

Leicester City v Aston Villa (11am)

Leicester were narrowly beaten at Fulham last week after an opening home draw with Tottenham. Jakub Stolarczyk, Conor Coady and Patson Daka are out with injuries this week for the Foxes.

Aston Villa were punished for lack of finishing touch in their home defeat to Arsenal last week and have Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara out with knee injuries. Robin Olsen and Matty Cash are doubtful.

Prediction: 1-3

Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers (11am)

Nottingham Forest edged Southampton with a lone goal by captain Morgan Gibbs-White and they have Danilo missing with a long-term ankle injury.

Wolves were beaten 6-2 by Chelsea last week, but at least new recruit Jorgen Strand Larsen scored his first goal for the club. Enzo Gonzalez, Leon Chiwome and Sasa Kalajdzic are out with knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Prediction: 1-1

West Ham United v Manchester City (1.30pm)

West Ham defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 last week with goals by Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen and they have no injury concerns for this match.

Manchester City survived an early scare to thrash promoted Ipswich, with Erling Haaland getting his first hat-trick of the campaign. Oscar Bobb is out with a long-term leg injury, while Rodri and Mateo Kovacic remain doubtful.

Prediction: 1-2

Sunday, September 1

Chelsea v Crystal Palace (9.30am)

Chelsea found their attacking feet in the second half of their emphatic win at Wolves. Reece James remains suspended, while Romeo Lavia is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Crystal Palace have started with consecutive losses in large part to their lack of finishing after failing to score a single goal from eight shots on target across two matches. Matheus Franca is out with a rib injury this week and Will Hughes is ill.

Prediction: 2-0

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur (9.30am)

Newcastle took a draw at Bournemouth last week, with Anthony Gordon scoring their equaliser. Fabian Schar is suspended, while Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley and Callum Wilson are out with injury.

Tottenham thrashed Everton 4-0 behind Heung-Min Son’s brace last match. Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke are doubtful with head and ankle injuries respectively.

Each club has won 25 of their 58 league encounters, but the Magpies have won the last two home contests with Spurs by an aggregate score of ten goals to one.

Prediction: 2-2

Manchester United v Liverpool (noon)

Manchester United were punished for defensive mistakes in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton last week. Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund are out injured and Mason Mount is doubtful.

Liverpool have made an unblemished start to league action under new coach Arne Slot, scoring four goals in their opening two victories. Curtis Jones is doubtful this week with a knock.

Prediction: 1-2