Despite the international window giving RG Fantasy League managers a brief break from thinking about their teams, it is always worth keeping a close eye on what your players get up to on their travels.

Gabriel, who is in 43 per cent of fantasy teams, picked up a thigh injury playing for Brazil and will miss the next few games for Arsenal. The Gunners are also sweating on the fitness of two more defenders. Riccardo Calafiori pulled out of Italy’s squad with a hip problem and Jurrien Timber is said to be struggling with a deep cut in his leg.

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa and Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo are also reported to be facing fitness tests. The best place to pick up potential nuggets of information is by paying attention to the compulsory press conferences given by Premier League coaches on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday

Burnley v Chelsea (8.30am)

All eyes will be on the Chelsea squad to see if Cole Palmer makes a return to action. Coach Enzo Maresca said Palmer would be out until after the November international break and he is rumoured to be close to a return to fitness. Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández, two of Chelsea’s three highest-scoring midfielders, also face late tests.

Burnley striker Armando Broja was taken off on a stretcher in Albania’s game against England this week. They lost away to West Ham just before the break and are out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Prediction: 1-2

Bournemouth v West Ham United (11am)

Bournemouth have lost their past two games, but they have been against two top teams in Manchester City and Aston Villa. They will expect to bounce back here, but it will be a blow if Justin Kluivert, who was injured playing for Holland, and Semenyo are ruled out.

West Ham put together successive Premier League wins for the first time since February ahead of the international break, with triumphs over Newcastle United and Burnley. They have won just one of their five away games, against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest, but in midfielder Crysencio Summerville they have one of the league’s in-form wingers. Lucas Paquetá is suspended.

Prediction: 1-1

Brighton & Hove Albion v Brentford (11am)

On the face of it, this looks an easy prediction as Brighton, unbeaten at home, take on a Brentford side with just one win out of five on their travels — against West Ham.

Yankuba Minteh and the evergreen Danny Welbeck are Brighton’s form players, and they could be boosted by the return of Kaoru Mitoma.

Brentford forward Igor Thiago has scored 28 points in the past four matchweeks and is worth rotating in and out of your team for home and away matches.

Prediction: 2-0

Fulham v Sunderland

Fulham are rapidly dropping down the Premier League and have beaten only Wolves in their past seven Premier League games. Rodrigo Muniz came off with a hamstring injury in their last league match.

In Robin Roefs, Sunderland have the best goalkeeper in the division when it comes to this competition, while defender Nordi Mukiele and midfielder Granit Xhaka have picked up more than 50 points.

Prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (11am)

Liverpool could be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Alisson, who was reported to be close to making a comeback from injury before the international break. Ryan Gravenberch picked up 11 points at home to Aston Villa in his penultimate league match and is worthy of a close look here.

Forest picked up a crucial home win against Leeds last time out, but only Elliott Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White have gained more than 40 points in their squad.

Prediction: 3-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace (11am)

Wolves are the only team in the top seven tiers of English football without a win. New head coach Rob Edwards will be hoping to make an instant impact but no fantasy manager worth their salt would recruit one of his players.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi missed the last match against Brighton and the international break with England. He is expected to have a late fitness test for this game. Daniel Muñoz withdrew from the Colombia squad in midweek because of the death of a close friend, but should be available.

Prediction: 1-1

Newcastle United v Manchester City (1.30pm)

A tough game to call. Newcastle’s problems have been mostly away from home, but they have lost two of their five matches at St James’ Park and are only two places above the relegation zone. Dan Burn is suspended for this match and there are injury doubts surrounding Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Joelinton. One piece of good news is that summer signing Yoann Wissa is close to a return.

City have looked vulnerable on the road and have won just two of their five league games on their travels. Rodri could well make his return to the squad here and, with Erling Haaland on his way to breaking every Fantasy League record in the book, they can never be discounted.

Prediction: 2-1

Sunday

Leeds United v Aston Villa (10am)

You would expect Elland Road to be a fortress for Leeds with their passionate support, but they have won only one of six home games. Defender Joe Rodon and midfielder Brendan Aaronson are their key players.

After a poor start, Villa have shot up the table into the top six. While Ollie Watkins has yet to fire up front, the rest of the team is performing solidly with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez closing in on the leaders in his category and Matty Cash excelling in defence.

Prediction: 1-2

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (12.30pm)

A lot could depend on how many of Arsenal’s first-choice back four make the starting line-up, with injuries affecting at least three of their stalwarts. Declan Rice is up to second in the top midfielders category, looking up only at Antoine Semenyo, of Bournemouth.

Tottenham have the best away record in the Premier League. Midfielder Mohammed Kudus missed the two Premier League games before the international break, but is expected to make his return.

Prediction: 2-1

Monday

Manchester United v Everton (4pm)

Harry Maguire and Benjamin Sesko are expected to be fit after being taken off against Tottenham before the international break. Bryan Mbeumo is up into the top five midfielders in the game.

Everton are just missing a top striker to turn them into a decent team, but in Iliman Ndiaye they have one of the season’s star players. However, it is defender Michael Keane who tops the Merseyside team’s player rankings.

Prediction: 2-1