The Manchester United revival continues to gather pace under interim coach Michael Carrick with victory over Arsenal last week following a win in the Manchester derby.

This renaissance, which now gives United a decent chance of making it into the Champions League qualifying spots, has featured a return to the No 10 position for Bruno Fernandes and he is a must for any team in the next few weeks.

With Arsenal facing a tough trip to Leeds and Manchester City away at Tottenham on Sunday, Fernandes should be considered as captain for your team this week after picking up 22 points in three games since returning from injury.

United are on the cusp of some attractive fixtures with Fulham, West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace among their next five opponents and their attacking players alongside midfielder Kobbie Maino could rack up some big points in February.

Saturday

Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton (11am)

Everton are one of the few Premier League teams with more points on the road than at home. They have one of the division’s in-form strikers in Tierno Barry, who has scored four goals in his past five games. Jordan Pickford is the game’s top goalkeeper, while James Tarkowski is the third-best defender. Jack Grealish and Michael Keane are injured.

Brighton have lost just one home game this season but have won just five of their 11 matches. I am waiting for coach Fabian Hurtzeler to unleash Greek teenager Charalampos Kostoulas into his starting XI.

Prediction: 1-1

Leeds v Arsenal (11am)

Leeds are in the top ten when it comes to recent form with just one defeat in their past eight matches. Brendon Aaronson has been key of late, with the midfielder scoring 27 points in his past four games.

There has been a lot of talk about Arsenal this week with the loss against Manchester United following a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest. Talk of meetings among the coaching staff and players seems an overreaction and it is important that they do not panic. A late decision will be made on the fitness of Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.

Prediction: 1-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bournemouth (11am)

Wolves teenage forward Mateus Mane has picked up 25 points in four games and should get chances against Bournemouth.

Bournemouth have won just one of their 11 away games and four of their five top-scoring midfielders in this game ― James Tavernier, Tyler Adams, David Brooks and Justin Kluivert are all out injured. Evanilson has scored three goals in four games.

Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v West Ham (1.30pm)

Now is the time to take a close look at Chelsea players with the midweek win against Napoli in the Champions League adding to the confidence under new coach Liam Rosenior. Joao Pedro has scored four goals in his past three games, while Enzo Fernandes has four goal contributions in five games.

West Ham have won back-to-back games for the first time this season but are still five points off safety. Midfielder Manuel Fernandes has 17 points in two games, while Jarrod Bowen is still one of the game’s top players.

Prediction: 2-0

Liverpool v Newcastle (4pm)

Liverpool are without a Premier League win in five games after draws against Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal and Burnley and defeat against Bournemouth. Jeremie Frimpong will miss a number of games after being injured in midweek.

Newcastle played well in a 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this week but have won just two away games in the Premier League this season. Bruno Guimaraes has missed the last couple of matches but is expected to return to shore up the midfield.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunday

Aston Villa v Brentford (10am)

Aston Villa bounced back from defeat against Everton to win away at Newcastle last week and did not have to travel in the Europa League, playing at home against Salzburg on Thursday. Midfielders Youri Tielemans and John McGinn are out injured. Ollie Watkins has made five goal contributions in six games.

Brentford have failed to score in their last two matches and only bottom club Wolves have lost more matches away from home.

Prediction: 2-0

Manchester United v Fulham (10am)

It will be interesting to see how Manchester United switch from being a counter-attacking team as they were against City and Arsenal to playing on the front foot, which they will have to do at home to Fulham. As well as Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo continues to catch the eye while defender Lisandro Martinez has been superb in the two games under Carrick.

Fulham are one of the league’s in-form teams, losing just one of their past eight games. They have just signed winger Oscar Bobb from Manchester City and in Harry Wilson, they have a player in form with 27 points in four games.

Prediction: 2-1

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace (10am)

As one team picks up form, the other is dropping rapidly. Forest have won two of their last three games in the league, while Palace are bottom of the Premier League form table with two draws and six defeats in their past eight games.

Elliott Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White continue to impress for Forest, while Palace are trying to sign Morgan Strand Larsen from Wolves as a replacement for wantaway striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta.

Prediction: 2-0

Tottenham v Manchester City (12.30pm)

Tottenham are one of the eight best teams in Europe after qualifying directly to the round of 16 in the Champions League but are in the bottom eight of the Premier League. They have been boosted by the return of Dominic Solanke, who scored against Burnley and Eintracht Frankfurt in the last week, but Pedro Porro is out injured and Micky van de Ven is doubtful.

Erling Haaland ended his goal drought against Galatasary in midweek but City will be hurt by the absence of Jeremy Doku through injury.

Prediction: 1-1

Monday

Sunderland v Burnley (4pm)

Sunderland’s strong start has worn off with just one win in their last seven games and that came against struggling Crystal Palace. They have failed to hit top form since midfielder Granit Xhaka was injured

Burnley could well look to increase their output from set pieces after signing James Ward-Prowse from West Ham on loan. Given his brilliance from free kicks and corners, he could be a cheap addition to your team.

Prediction: 1-1