English Premier League action returns this afternoon after the March international window, with every club having at least one injury to contend with.

Fantasy managers must keep the FA Cup and European football in mind as they plan for the final month of a dramatic 2024-25 campaign. Crystal Palace duo Marc Guéhi and Ismaïla Sarr are good options in defence and midfield for those considerations.

Congratulations to March monthly winner Marvin Burchall, whose team “Song of Rice and Dier” gained 156 points. Jay Webster’s “Nil Desperandum XI” retained the overall lead with 2,069 points.

Today

Arsenal v Fulham (3.45pm)

Arsenal edged Chelsea last league outing to remain 12 points behind leaders Liverpool. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are out injured this match, while Riccardo Calafiori is doubtful. Bukayo Saka has just been cleared by manager Mikel Arteta to return from three months out injured but this capital derby may come too soon.

Fulham cruised past London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur to move within three points of the European spots. Reiss Nelson is out with a hamstring injury this week, while Kenny Tete, Harry Wilson and Antonee Robinson are doubtful.

The Gunners have won 23 of their 35 league contests with the Cottagers.

Prediction: 2-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United (3.45pm)

Wolves have a nine-point buffer on the relegation zone after edging Southampton. Top striker Matheus Cunha is suspended, while Enso González, Yerson Mosquera, Leon Chiwome, Toti Gomes and Sasa Kalajdzic miss out through injury, and Jorgen Strand Larsen is doubtful after taking a blow to the head.

West Ham surrendered the lead to draw with Everton at Goodison Park. Michael Antonio and Crysencio Summerville are out with leg and hamstring injuries respectively, while Niclas Füllkrug is doubtful owing to lack of fitness.

West Ham have nine wins to seven for Wolves through 17 top-flight encounters.

Prediction: 2-1

Nottingham Forest v Manchester United (4pm)

Nottingham Forest are on course to make the Champions League for the first time since 1980. Carlos Miguel and Chris Wood are doubtful with hamstring and hip injuries respectively.

Manchester United have been making slow progress in recent weeks, culminating with a dominant win over Leicester. Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are out injured, while Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are doubtful.

United have lost just three of 15 league meetings against Forest.

Prediction: 1-1

Tomorrow

Bournemouth v Ipswich Town (3.45pm)

Bournemouth slipped down to tenth after they went down at home to Brentford last league match. Adam Smith and Enes Unal are out to muscle and knee injuries this match, while Marcos Senesi, Julian Araujo and Luis Sinisterra are doubtful.

Ipswich went down to Nottingham Forest last match to remain in the relegation zone. Axel Tuanzebe, Wes Burns, Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene are out injured this weekend, while Conor Chaplin is doubtful.

The Cherries won the lone league meeting in December at Portman Road.

Prediction: 2-0

Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa (3.45pm)

Brighton came from behind twice to grab a draw away to Manchester City in their last league match. Igor Julio, Ferdi Kadioglu and James Milner are out to various injuries this time, while Lewis Dunk, Joël Veltman and Matt O’Riley are doubtful.

Aston Villa, who shut out Brentford to stay in touching distance of another top-four finish, have Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins doubtful.

Villa dominate this match-up, with six wins to Brighton’s two through 11 meetings.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v Leicester City (3.45pm)

Manchester City have a tough test to make their fourteenth consecutive Champions League appearance. Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, John Stones and Rodri are out injured this match, with Oscar Bobb doubtful.

Leicester have accrued just seven points in 14 league games under Ruud van Nistelrooy. Abdul Fatawu is out with a knee injury this match.

Prediction: 3-0

Newcastle United v Brentford (3.45pm)

Newcastle clinched their first domestic trophy in seven decades with the Carabao Cup before the break. Anthony Gordon is suspended, while Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles are out injured.

Brentford are in contention for a European place after taking down Bournemouth last month. Josh Dasilva, Fabio Carvalho, Gustavo Nunes and Igor Thiago are out injured this match, while Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry and Michael Kayode are doubtful through injury and lack of fitness.

The Magpies have lost just one of seven previous league meetings with the Bees.

Prediction: 2-2

Southampton v Crystal Palace (3.45pm)

Southampton need two points to avoid the worst record in Premier League history. They are a whopping 17 points from safety after losing to Wolves at home. James Bree and Will Smallbone are out to hamstring and groin injuries, while Juan Larios, Ryan Fraser, Ross Stewart and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are doubtful.

Palace have the third-best form in the division, with four wins from their past five games. Will Hughes is suspended; Chadi Riad, Joel Ward and Cheick Doucouré are injured, while Jean-Philippe Mateta is doubtful.

Southampton have the upper hand in this rivalry with 14 wins to Palace’s eight through 29 league encounters.

Prediction: 0-2

Liverpool v Everton (4pm)

Liverpool endured a difficult final week before the break, having been eliminated from the Champions League and then losing the Carabao Cup final five days later. However, they are 12 points clear in the league as they aim to wrap up their twentieth top-flight title, and what better than a Merseyside derby to rekindle the fire?

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton are out with differing injuries, Alisson Becker and Ryan Gravenberch are doubtful.

Everton went into the break with four straight league draws. The Toffees will miss Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Iliman Ndiaye through injury, while Dwight McNeil and Vitaliy Mykolenko are doubtful.

These perennial rivals have drawn 26 of their 65 derbies in the Premier League, the most-drawn match in the competition.

Prediction: 1-1

Thursday

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur (4pm)

Chelsea are struggling as of late with four wins from their past 13 league matches. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended; Omari Kellyman is out with a hamstring injury, while Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson are doubtful.

Tottenham slumped to their fifteenth league defeat away to Fulham last time out, with former player Ryan Sessegnon scoring the second goal. Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso are out injured, while Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison are doubtful.

Prediction: 2-1