FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE: Top flight sides face their third game in a week as the festive schedule ramps up, but which stars are in danger of missing out… Mail Sport’s predicted lineups for the weekend’s action

• The Premier League’s midweek action saw plenty of drama across the 10 games
• Top flight bosses will have to manage their stars’ workloads in the coming weeks
• It will do Arsenal no harm at all to have Arteta out of sight at Villa Park – It’s All Kicking Off 

The hectic festive fixture schedule in the Premier League is well underway as teams prepare for their third game in a week.

We saw another dramatic round of top flight action midweek, with prime assets Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland suprisingly blanking, while Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo – another key FPL asset – suffered an ankle injury which is set to keep him out for weeks.

Jarrod Bowen again proved he is an underrated player in the game, with his ninth goal of the season, while the value of having Newcastle defenders didn’t pay off as they conceded three in a heavy defeat to Everton.  

As managers attempt to balance their stars’ workloads, it increases fears that FPL players will see several members of their team benched or left out altogether.

In light of that, Mail Sport aims to help you out with our predicted lineups for the Premier League’s weekend games.  

In light of the hectic fixture schedule in the Premier League, Mail Sport aims to help you and your Fantasy Premier League team out with our predicted lineups for the weekend’s games

Mohamed Salah surprisingly blanked for Liverpool against Sheffield United on Wednesday

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool – Saturday 12:30PM 

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1) – Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Clyne; Hughes, Lerma; Olise, Schlupp, Ayew; Edouard

Roy Hodgson may be tempted to rest Michael Olise to ease his return to action.

Out: C Doucoure (achilles), D Henderson, J Rak-Sakyi (both thigh), E Eze, R Holding (both ankle), T Mitchell (hip).

Liverpool (4-3-3) – Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Out: J Matip (knee), T Alcantara (hip), D Jota (hamstring), A Mac Allister (knee), S Bajcetic (calf), A Robertson (shoulder).

Doubt: Alisson (hamstring).

Palace haven’t beaten Liverpool in 12 games — their longest ongoing winless streak against any opponent.

Last meeting: C Palace 0 Liverpool 0

Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win 

Liverpool keeper Alisson could return from a hamstring problem he picked up against Man City

Brighton vs Burnley – Saturday 3PM

Brighton (4-2-3-1) – Verbruggen; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Gross, Baleba; Adingra, Pedro, Mitoma; Ferguson

Lewis Dunk and Mahmoud Dahoud return from suspension.

Out: P Estupinan, T Lamptey, A Fati, J Espinola (all muscle), D Welbeck (unknown), A Webster (knock), S March (knee).

Burnley (4-2-3-1) – Trafford; Vitinho, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor; Berge, Brownhill; Larsen, Amdouni, Zaroury; Rodriguez

Luca Koleosho is expected to be out for most of the season but Jordan Beyer returns.

Out: L Koleosho (knee), L Foster (illness), J Cork (calf), J Cullen (unknown).

Brighton have only lost one of their last 12 home games against a promoted side (a 1-0 defeat to Fulham last season).

Last meeting: Brighton 0 Burnley 3 

Mail Sport prediction: Brighton win 

Man United vs Bournemouth – Saturday 3PM

Man United (4-2-3-1) – Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon; McTominay, Amrabat; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund

Out: T Malacia (knee), Casemiro (hamstring), L Martinez (foot), J Sancho (disciplinary), V Lindelof (knock).

Doubt: M Mount (calf), C Eriksen (knee), R Varane (back), M Rashford (illness).

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1) – Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Billing, Tavernier; Solanke

Out: T Adams, M Aarons, L Kelly (all hamstring), A Scott (knee), R Fredericks (calf), D Randolph, H Traore (both illness).

Doubt: E Marcondes (match fitness).

United have never lost at home to Bournemouth and have won nine of the last 10 such meetings.

Last meeting: B’mouth 0 Man Utd 1 

Mail Sport prediction: Man Utd win 

Marcus Rashford – who was dropped for Man United’s win over Chelsea – is a doubt with illness

Sheffield United vs Brentford – Saturday 3PM

Sheffield United (3-4-1-2) – Foderingham; Robinson, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty; Bogle, Souza, Hamer, Brooks; McAtee; Osula, Archer

Out: C Basham, J Egan (both ankle), R Norrington-Davies, T Davies (both thigh), R Brewster (knee), D Jebbison (illness), O McBurnie, O Norwood (suspended).

Doubt: G Baldock (thigh).

Brentford (4-3-3) – Flekken; Ghoddos, Pinnock, Mee, Janelt; Norgaard, Onyeka, Baptiste; Wissa, Maupay, Lewis-Potter

Out: R Henry (knee), A Hickey, J Dasilva (both hamstring), K Schade (both groin), K Ajer, N Collins (both foot), B Mbeumo (ankle), I Toney (banned).

Doubt: M Jensen (groin).

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is undefeated in his previous four games against Brentford in the Premier League (W3, D1).

Last meeting: Sheff Utd 2 Brentford 0 

Mail Sport prediction: Sheff Utd win 

Wolves vs Nottingham Forest – Saturday 3PM

Wolves (3-4-3) – Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Lemina, Gomes, Bueno; Sarabia, Cunha, Hwang

Jose Sa is ‘100 per cent fit’ according to Wolves boss Gary O’Neil. Sa is likely to return in goal.

Out: J Hodge (shoulder), P Neto (hamstring), J Otto (disciplinary).

Doubt: R Ait Nouri (ankle).

Nottingham Forest (4-3-3) – Turner; Aina, Niakhate, Murillo, Toffolo;  Yates, Dominguez, Mangala; Gibbs-White, Origi, Elanga

Expect Steve Cooper to ring the changes after his side’s drubbing at Fulham during the week. Willy Boly is a doubt after limping off.

Out: T Awoniyi (groin).

Doubt: W Boly (knock).

Forest have lost more away games than any other team since the start of last season (19 times).

Last meeting: Nottm Forest 1 Wolves 1 

Mail Sport prediction: Wolves win

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Aston Villa vs Arsenal – Saturday 5:30PM

Aston Villa (4-4-1-1) – Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins

Unai Emery will have to assess his squad ahead of Aston Villa’s third game in seven days.

Ezri Konsa is likely to stay at right back.

Out: E Buendia, T Mings (both knee), B Traore (muscle).

Arsenal (4-3-2-1) – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Martinelli; Jesus 

Mikel Arteta said Gabriel Martinelli should be fit to start.

Out: F Vieira (groin), T Tomiyasu (calf), T Partey (thigh), E Smith-Rowe, J Timber (both knee).

The Gunners have lost only two of their last 21 matches against Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League.

Last meeting: Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 4 

Mail Sport prediction: Draw 

Mikel Arteta said Gabriel Martinelli should be fit to start after a bruising encounter at Luton

Everton vs Chelsea – Sunday 2PM

Everton (4-2-3-1) – Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin 

Jordan Pickford and Seamus Coleman should be fine despite picking up minor knocks in the week.

Out: Dele (groin), A Gomes (fitness).

Doubt: A Onana (calf), J Garner (illness).

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) – Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson

Conor Gallagher returns. 

Out: W Fofana (knee), M Gusto (unknown), R Lavia (ankle), B Chilwell, T Chalobah (both thigh), L Ugochukwu (unknown).

Only Spurs have lost more Premier League games on a Sunday (105) than Everton’s 104 defeats.

Last meeting: Chelsea 2 Everton 2 

Mail Sport prediction: Everton win 

Fulham vs West Ham – Sunday 2PM

Fulham (4-2-3-1) – Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Tosin, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez

Marco Silva will make late calls over both Adama Traore and Rodrigo Muniz. Tosin is likely to keep his place.

Out: I Diop (foot).

Doubt: A Traore (hamstring), R Muniz (knee).

West Ham (4-2-3-1) – Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Soucek, Paqueta; Bowen 

Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has suffered ‘a little bit of ligament damage in his wrist’, according to manager David Moyes.

Out: M Antonio (knee).

Doubt: A Areola (wrist).

West Ham have only beaten Southampton (20) and Spurs (18) more times than they have Fulham, who they’ve beaten 16 times.

Last meeting: Fulham 0 West Ham 1 

Mail Sport prediction: Draw 

Lukasz Fabianski could continue in goal with FPL asset Alphonse Areola battling a wrist injury 

Luton vs Man City – Sunday 2PM

Luton (3-4-2-1) – Kaminski; Mengi, Osho, Bell; Kabore, Barkley, Nakamba, Doughty; Brown, Ogbene; Morris

Nakamba and Albert Sambi Lokonga will all return to the squad.

Out: M Andersen, D Potts (both hamstring), R Burke (both thigh), C Woodrow (calf), I Kabore (ineligible).

Man City (3-4-3) – Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Stones, Alvarez, Silva; Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Rodri and Jack Grealish are both back available after serving their suspensions.

Out: K De Brunye (hamstring).

Doubt: J Doku (unknown).

Luton have won every one of their last seven matches against the reigning top-flight champions (between 1985-92).

Last meeting: Man City 2 Luton 0 

Mail Sport prediction: Man City win 

Tottenham vs Newcastle – Sunday 4:30PM

Tottenham (4-3-3) – Vicario; Porro, Emerson, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr, Lo Celso; Kulusevski, Son, Johnson

Out: M Solomon, I Perisic (both knee) R Bentancur (ankle), M van de Ven, R Sessegnon (hamstring), J Maddison (ankle), R Sessegnon (thigh), E Dier (groin).

Doubt: Son (back).

Newcastle (4-3-3) – Dubravka; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Guimaraes, Miley, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon 

Out: N Pope, J Murphy, (both shoulder), D Burn, E Anderson (both back), C Wilson (thigh), H Barnes (foot), S Longstaff (ankle), S Botman (knee), J Willock (calf), S Tonali (banned).

This fixture averages the most goals per game of any Premier League match-up (3.16 goals per game).

Last meeting: Newcastle 6 Tottenham 1 

Mail Sport prediction: Draw 

Son Heung-Min went off late on against West Ham and could add to Tottenham’s injury list 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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