Whisper it quietly but it could be time for Mohamed Salah to make a return to your team.

The Liverpool forward struggled for form in the early part of the season, culminating in coach Arne Slot’s decision to drop him before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah is ranked 41st in the list of Fantasy League midfielders this season, which would normally be enough to swerve him but since his return from international duty the signs are there of a return to some big numbers.

The Egyptian has had 14 shots (more than anyone else in the league) in his past four games, 12 in the box and three big chances yet has no goal to show for it. He also has three assists and could benefit with his side playing struggling Nottingham Forest this week.

Saturday

Aston Villa v Leeds United (11am)

Aston Villa have lost just three home games in the league this season but two of them have come in their last couple of matches against Everton and Brentford. Matty Cash, their highest scoring defender is struggling with a knee injury.

Leeds have lost just two of their past ten league games but they have won just once away from home this season and only Burnley and Bournemouth have conceded more away goals. They could be boosted by the return from injury of defender Pascal Struijk and midfielder Anton Stach.

Prediction: 2-1

Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion (11am)

Brentford top the table when it comes to looking at the last ten league games, with six wins, two draws and two defeats. Kevin Schade is still suspended after being sent off against Aston Villa a couple of weeks ago.

Brighton have won just once in their last ten games and are in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle. Only Wolves and Leeds have won fewer away matches this season and they need the return of midfielder Yasin Ayari.

Prediction: 1-0

Chelsea v Burnley

Chelsea’s forward players will be licking their lips as they take on the team with the worst away defensive record in the league, with Burnley’s away matches featuring an average of 3.69 goals per game.

Joao Pedro has scored 48 points in the last five games, while Cole Palmer has 32 points in two matches. There are worse choices as captains this week.

Prediction: 3-0

West Ham v Bournemouth (1.30pm)

West Ham are in the top five when it comes to form in the past six league games, with three wins and a draw. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo rested Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek in the FA Cup win against Burton Albion last week so both players will be fresh here. Midfielder Crysencio Summerville remains in top form.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six matches and in midfielder Amine Adli they have a player who has scored two goals and provided two assists in their past five games.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v Newcastle (4pm)

After Arsenal let slip a two-goal lead at Wolves in midweek, City can close the gap to just two points with a victory here. There is no secret to their success going forward but in Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly they also have the ability to bring you points at the back. Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku are struggling with injury

Newcastle’s journey of 2,925 miles to Azerbaijan and back again for the Champions League tie on Wednesday is the furthest a British side has ever travelled in European competition. Despite the handsome win that will have taken its toll and they are without influential midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Lewis Miley are injury doubts

Prediction: 2-1

SUNDAY

Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers (10am)

Crystal Palace average just a goal a game in matches at Selhurst Park this season but will hope to up that with the arrival of the league’s bottom club. Jorgen Strand Larsen has been impressive in his first couple of starts and will be hoping to score against his former side.

Wolves defender Hugo Bueno has done well to pick up points in a struggling side and scored a great goal against Arsenal in midweek. He could pop up in influential places again.

Prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest v Liverpool (10am)

It’s always difficult when a new manager comes in to know which players he will favour so a watching brief on new Forest coach Vitor Pereira’s first starting XI is advised. But two names guaranteed to be on the teamsheet are Elliott Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Dominik Szoboslai will be of interest if he reverts to his usual midfield role but that will depend on the return from injury of Jeremie Frimpong, who is reportedly close to a comeback.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunderland v Fulham (10am)

Sunderland suffered their first home league defeat of the season against Liverpool in their last game and a dip in form has coincided with the absence of midfielder Granit Xhaka, who has had a prolonged spell out through injury.

Fulham struggle on the road and only Burnley and Wolves have lost more away games this season. Harry Wilson remains their top scorer but his points tallies have dipped in the past three games

Prediction: 1-0

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal (12.30pm)

Interim Tottenham boss Igor Tudor has a North London derby to contend with in his opening game. Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert are the latest players to suffer long-term injuries, with Spurs missing 12 first-team players. Richarlison and Pedro Porro could make a return.

Arsenal have drawn their last two Premier League matches against Brentford and Wolves but Martin Odegaard is expected to return to the squad. Despite going off against Wolves with what appeared to be a knee injury, Bukayo Saka is also expected to be fit.

Prediction: 1-2

Monday

Everton v Manchester United (4pm)

Michael Carrick remains unbeaten despite United dropping points at West Ham in their last league match. Bruno Fernandes drew a blank in that match but has 44 points in six games since returning from injury. Mason Mount should be available for selection.

Defender Jake O’Brien is suspended for Everton, who have lost more games than they have won at home in the league this season and have not won on their own patch for five games, losing to Arsenal, Brentford and Bournemouth and drawing with Leeds and Brighton

Prediction: 0-2