The English Premier League takes a hiatus after this round of games for the October international break but Fantasy managers still have some fascinating decisions to make with the break in mind and Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson and Everton midfielder Dwight McNeil are worthy of selection for matches either side of the international window.

Congratulations must go to September winner John Nicol, whose team “Bermuda Celtic Bhoys” amassed 227 points last month. Ray Martin and “Caught Offside” lead the overall standings with 466 points.

Saturday

Crystal Palace v Liverpool (8.30am)

Crystal Palace remain winless after six games following the narrow loss away to Everton. Chris Richards, Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure and Matheus Franca are out this week.

Liverpool climbed to the top of the table with an away victory over Wolves last week and have only Harvey Elliott unavailable for this match.

Prediction: 1-2

Arsenal v Southampton (11am)

Arsenal remain within one goal of leaders Manchester City after the tense victory over Leicester. Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard are out this week, while Ben White is doubtful with a groin injury.

Southampton were comfortably beaten at South Coast neighbours Bournemouth on Monday to remain on one point. Jack Stephens is suspended, while Gavin Bazunu, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Will Smallbone are out through injury.

Prediction: 3-0

Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers (11am)

Brentford scored in the first minute for the third straight game last week but have failed to win those matches against Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham.

Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Mathias Jensen, Gustavo Nunes, Igor Thiago and Yoane Wissa are out through injury and lack of fitness, while Christian Norgaard is doubtful.

Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the league after six matches, having suffered another home defeat to Liverpool last Saturday. Yerson Mosquera, Bastien Meupiyou, Bertrand Traore, Enso Gonzalez and Sasa Kalajdzic are out to various injuries, with Santiago Bueno doubtful.

Prediction: 2-1

Leicester City v Bournemouth (11am)

Leicester are showing positive signs despite their winless start and were just minutes away from getting an impressive point at Arsenal. Jakub Stolarczyk and Patson Daka are out with ankle injuries for the Foxes, while Jannik Vestergaard is doubtful.

Bournemouth cruised past neighbours Southampton at home on Monday, and new recruit Evanilson scored his first Premier League goal. Tyler Adams is out with a back injury for the Cherries.

Prediction: 0-2

Manchester City v Fulham (11am)

Manchester City ended their run of three straight draws in all competitions with victory at Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League in midweek. Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri are all out through injury this week for the champions.

Fulham remain unbeaten since opening weekend after the away win over Nottingham Forest. Carlos Vinicius is Fulham’s only doubt.

Prediction: 2-2

West Ham United v Ipswich Town (11am)

West Ham have just one win from their first six league games under new coach Julen Lopetegui, and Nicklas Fullkrug is doubtful with an Achilles injury.

Ipswich earned a valuable point at home to Aston Villa last week to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches. Harry Clarke is doubtful owing to lack of fitness

Prediction: 1-2

Everton v Newcastle United (1.30pm)

Everton came from behind to beat Crystal Palace for their first victory of the campaign, with Dwight McNeil scoring both goals. Seamus Coleman, Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are out, while Nathan Patterson is doubtful.

Newcastle grabbed a point at home to Manchester City to remain within three points of the champions. Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley and Callum Wilson are out to various injuries, while Matt Targett, Alexander Isak, Martin Dubravka, Nick Pope, Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier are doubtful.

Prediction: 1-2

Sunday

Aston Villa v Manchester United (10am)

Aston Villa made a statement in the Champions League debut with a home victory over Bayern Munich in midweek. Manager Unai Emery has Matty Cash doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Manchester United have started this season with just two wins from their first seven games in all competitions. Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro are out, while Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are doubtful.

Prediction: 1-2

Chelsea v Nottingham Forest (10am)

Cole Palmer became the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League game as Chelsea edged Brighton last week. Reece James and Omari Kellyman are out with hamstring injuries this week.

Nottingham Forest suffered their first defeat, at home to Fulham last week. Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are suffering with ankle and hamstring injuries.

Prediction: 2-1

Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur (12.30pm)

Brighton suffered their first loss of the campaign at Stamford Bridge, although Georginio Rutter scored his first goal since joining from Leeds United. Solly March, Matt O’Riley and Joao Pedro are out, while James Milner, Brajan Gruda, Jean Paul van Hecke and Simon Adingra are doubtful.

Tottenham thrashed Manchester United to climb within three points of rivals Chelsea in fourth place. Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are out to muscle injuries, while Destiny Udogie and Son Heung Min are doubtful.

Prediction: 2-2