Even the mildly attentive fantasy football manager will have to show a degree of tactical flexibility this weekend.

Perhaps the RG Fantasy League’s table-topping Bruce Stocker or monthly leader Alex Whittaker could show Arsène Wenger a thing or two about putting out a team to suit the occasion.

I can only imagine how depressingly familiar the midweek defeat by Monaco must have been for the Emirates faithful.

It must be a little like persisting with Stewart Downing in your FF midfield — capable of big points hauls but guaranteed to bring home a mighty two when the going gets tough.

The reason for mentioning flexibility, by the way, is because of the inconvenience of Sunday’s Capital One Cup final, which these days is viewed like tennis at the Olympics: fair play if you win, but no one really remembers.

Anyway, good luck rotating your Chelsea or Tottenham players and then bringing them back for the midweek round. Wild cards, anyone?

Tomorrow’s games

11am kick-off unless stated

West Ham v Crystal Palace

8.45am

One point from their past two games is hardly a disaster for Palace but it does represent a slight stalling of the Alan Pardew effect.

This London derby should be feisty and West Ham have lost only one of their past six games at Upton Park. Whispers of this being the last season at the club for manager Sam Allardyce is an interesting backdrop, but he seems to have the players on his side.

Prediction: 2-1

Burnley v Swansea City

Despite encouraging performances — not to mention the excellent 1-1 at Stamford Bridge against league leaders Chelsea — Burnley have only one win in the past ten Barclays Premier League games.

The visit of Swansea could not have come at a worse time after the Welsh side’s excellent victory over Manchester United and the team appear as well drilled as Gary Monk’s timeless side parting.

Prediction: 1-2

Man United v Sunderland

It seems even the Dutch are not that impressed, after Swansea’s director John van Zweden allegedly called his countryman an “arrogant b*****d”. One suspects that is not the worst insult that has been hurled at Louis van Gaal.

Sunderland have been poor recently and sit only three points off the drop zone. The perfect chance for United to get back in the winners’ circle.

Prediction: 3-1

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Two sides struggling to get any impetus into their season, although surely the prospect of Championship football should give this Villa team some urgency.

Newcastle were outclassed by Manchester City at the Etihad last time out and John Carver will demand a response. He should get one.

Prediction: 2-2

Stoke City v Hull City

Hats off to Hull, who have won two in a row for the first time this season. Stoke, though, have belief and manager Mark Hughes was rightly dismissive of those, of which this column was one, expecting Villa to beat them last weekend.

They have three wins in five and, considering Hull’s terrible away form, should be confident.

Prediction: 2-0

West Brom v Southampton

Good opportunity for West Bromwich Albion against a misfiring Southampton who have just one goal in their past four league games. Tony Pulis’s side can afford to be bullish with the likes of Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino looking lively up front.

Prediction: 2-0

Sunday’s games

Liverpool v Manchester City

8am

The headline act of the weekend — if you discount the goings-on at Wembley later in the afternoon — and it’s impossible not to think of last season’s epic, which Liverpool won. City, of course, had the last laugh, as they went on to win the title and they have undoubtedly been the better of the two teams this season. Both had chastening European defeats in midweek but Liverpool’s league form is excellent in pursuit of the fourth Champions League place and City’s two recent victories have put them back on the heels of Chelsea. In short, all to play for.

City win, on nothing more than a hunch.

Prediction: 1-2

Arsenal v Everton

10.05am

A swirl of disappointment surrounds Arsenal after the capitulation to Monaco and the only way to appease frustrated fans is to record a resounding home win. Anything else and the knives will be out for Wenger again.

Prediction: 2-0