At the start of the season there might not have been many managers looking at Crystal Palace players outside of perhaps Marc Guéhi and Jean-Philippe Mateta, but the South London club have thrown up some jewels this season.

Take out the Palace midfielders and Oliver Glasner’s side are coming close to being the highest points scorers in the game with the top two defenders in their squad.

Dani Muñoz has risen to the top with 89 points, six clear of team-mate Guéhi, but Palace also have Maxence Lacroix, Tryick Mitchell and Chris Richards among the top ten defenders.

Dean Henderson is third in the goalkeeper rankings, while Mateta is fourth among the forwards. With Palace facing a London derby away to Fulham this week, there is ample opportunity for members of their team to continue to pick up points.

After a full round of fixtures in midweek, be sure to keep a close eye on any injured players, while this is about the time of season when a lot of players are closing in on suspensions for picking up five bookings.

Tomorrow

Aston Villa v Arsenal (8.30am)

If you look at the Premier League form table for the last eight matches, Aston Villa are the only team to have accumulated more points than Arsenal. Unai Emery’s side are up to third in the league, but will be hoping goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is available after missing out in midweek with a minor back injury.

Arsenal are still missing centre back Gabriel, while William Saliba was also out for the home win against Brentford. Declan Rice will face a late fitness test after being substituted in midweek with a calf injury.

Prediction: 1-2

Bournemouth v Chelsea (11am)

Only the Premier League’s bottom two clubs, Burnley and Wolves, have a worse record than Bournemouth in their past six games. After a good start, Andoni Iraola’s side have hit a poor patch of form, with midfielder Antoine Semenyo having scored just seven points across the last five matchweeks.

Chelsea suffered a disappointing defeat by Leeds on Wednesday, but one high point was the return of talismanic attacker Cole Palmer, who came on as a substitute after injury. The three-match suspension for Moises Caicedo means Reece James will continue in midfield. He is listed as a defender but there will be options for assists and goals.

Prediction: 1-2

Everton v Nottingham Forest (11am)

Sean Dyche goes back to his old team and has picked up two wins in his past four away games, including victory over Liverpool. He could have central defender Murillo available again after injury.

Everton are struggling for central midfielders, with Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam both suspended. Their best centre back in terms of points garnered, Michael Keane, is also a doubt after missing the Bournemouth game in midweek. Kiernan Dewsbury Hall- is one of the game’s in-form midfielders with 32 points in his past four matches.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v Sunderland (11am)

Manchester City have conceded 16 goals, the most of any team in the top six and it would be no surprise if Sunderland managed to score at least one at the Etihad — perhaps through a set-piece with City conceding six goals in that manner this season.

Now could be the time to go heavy on City players, with this match followed by fixtures against Crystal Palace, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland again.

Prediction: 3-1

Newcastle United v Burnley (11am)

Newcastle fans could get their first sighting of summer signing Yoane Wissa in a matchday squad. Sandroi Tonali was taken off with an injury at half-time against Tottenham and is doubtful, while goalkeeper Nick Pope was replaced by Aaron Ramsdale in the starting-line up for that match.

Things are looking bleak for Burnley, who have won just one of their seven away matches.

Prediction: 2-0

Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford (11am)

Only Wolves have a worse home record than Tottenham, and only Burnley, Leeds and Wolves have a poorer away record than Brentford, so something has to give.

Mohamed Kudus is capable of picking up points in this game for Tottenham, while Brentford’s Igor Thiago has scored 31 points in the past four matchweeks.

Prediction: 1-1

Leeds United v Liverpool (1.30pm)

Leeds are looking to follow up a home win against Chelsea in midweek by adding to Liverpool’s woes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lucas Nmecha, who both featured prominently in midweek, are doubtful for this game.

Liverpool have lost more away games than they have won in the Premier League this season and Arne Slot has left Mohamed Salah out of his past two starting line-ups. The Egyptian may not feature too much in the next few weeks, given the African Cup of Nations starts on December 21.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunday

Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United (10am)

Brighton have lost just once at home this season, but that did come in midweek when they lost 4-3 to in-form Aston Villa. In Yankuba Minteh they have one of the game’s best midfielders, while forward Danny Welbeck and defender Jan Paul ven Hecke are towards the top in their respective categories.

West Ham fought back to get a draw at Old Trafford and will have Lucas Paquetá back from suspension. They look a different side with Crysencio Summerville in the squad and he is rumoured to be close to a return from injury.

Prediction: 2-1

Fulham v Crystal Palace (12.30pm)

This column has already extolled the virtues of the Palace team, but at some point the sheer number of games the small squad is playing will likely take its toll — only four teams have used fewer players in the Premier League this season.

Harry Wilson, with 31 points in the past five matches, is Fulham’s in-form player.

Prediction: 1-0

Monday

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United (4pm)

New manager but no difference, as Wolves remain the only team without a win. Their only aim this season may be to try to avoid accumulating the lowest points total in Premier League history.

Manchester United remain frustratingly inconsistent, with Bruno Fernandes still their top player. Mathijs De Ligt is likely to be available for this game and will strengthen the defence.

Prediction: 1-2