With the Premier League now at the halfway stage of the season after the completion of Gameweek 19, Fantasy League managers now have a second set of chips to use.

The refresh means all managers will have four chips ― a Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost ― to use during the remainder of the season.

It can be good strategy to keep these chips until the final third of the season to take advantage of changes to the Premier League schedule as domestic cup competitions can bring about blank or double gameweeks late in the campaign.

With just one day between the completion of gameweek 19 and the start of gameweek 20, you will need to be quick to take into account any injuries and suspension, with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest kicking off the next round of fixtures at 8.30am Bermuda time on Saturday.

Saturday

Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (8.30am)

Aston Villa had their title limitations exposed by a ruthless Arsenal side who were without key players. Amadou Onana is doubtful for this match after being substituted at half time in midweek, but Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara return from suspension.

Nottingham Forest have lost their last three matches and are missing midfielder Ibrahima Sangare, who is in action at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the injured Chris Wood.

Prediction: 2-1

Brighton & Hove Albion v Burnley (11am)

Burnley have not won in ten Premier League games and were dealt a blow this week with their leading scorer in this competition, midfielder Josh Cullen (70pts), ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.

Brighton are also out of form, with no win in six games and there are doubts surrounding the fitness of their best two midfielders Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer.

Prediction: 3-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United (11am)

Wolverhampton picked up their third point of the season with a draw away at Manchester United and there will be hope of picking up their first win of the season against struggling West Ham. Defender Santiago Bueno missed the game at Old Trafford.

West Ham would be in even bigger trouble than they are without Jarrod Bowen, who is the fourth-highest scoring forward in the competition with 84 points.

Prediction: 2-1

Bournemouth v Arsenal (1.30pm)

Bournemouth are without a win in ten games but did pick up a good point away at Chelsea in midweek. Their best player, Antoine Semenyo, is on the verge of a sealing a move to Manchester City but is expected to feature here.

Arsenal were without Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice for the win against Aston Villa and both face late fitness tests for this game. It will be interesting to see if coach Mikel Arteta will persist with Viktor Gyokeres or consider starting Gabriel Jesus, who made a huge impact off the bench against Villa.

Prediction: 0-1

Sunday

Leeds v Manchester United (8.30am)

A febrile atmosphere can be expected at Elland Road, with Leeds having beaten Chelsea and Crystal Palace and drawn with Liverpool in their last three home games. Their best defender Joe Rodon is out injured but forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has picked up 31 points in the last four matches and 79 points overall.

Manchester United failed to beat bottom club Wolves in midweek and coach Ruben Amorim is again struggling to find a winning formula, with just one victory in their last four games. With star man Bruno Fernandes out injured and Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo away on international duty, it is a struggle to see where their creativity will come from.

Prediction: 2-0

Everton v Brentford (11am)

Everton picked up a valuable win against Forest in midweek despite the absences of Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye. That has allowed midfielder James Garner to flourish and he is worthy of consideration, while forward Thierno Barry has started to find the net.

Brentord would be battling relegation if only their away results were taken into account and they have beaten only West Ham and Wolves on the road. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is consistent and could be a good choice for Brentford home matches.

Prediction: 1-0

Fulham v Liverpool (11am)

Liverpool’s stuttering season continued with a goalless home draw against Leeds. Hugo Ekitike has scored three goals in his side’s last two away wins.

Fulham will be missing two of their best defenders in Kenny Tete and Calvin Bassey and a couple of their top midfield scorers in Alex Iwobi and Ryan Sessegnon. A lot will depend on Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez if they are to get anything out of this game.

Prediction: 1-1

Newcastle v Crystal Palace (11am)

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes is poised to break 100 points in this competition during this game, while Palace’s defensive problems mean that Anthony Gordon, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade are possible transfers.

Palace’s thin squad will soon be boosted by the arrival of Brennan Johnson, but with defenders Chris Richards and Dani Munoz ruled out, it is difficult to see Palace keeping a clean sheet.

Prediction: 3-0

Tottenham v Sunderland (11am)

Only the bottom three clubs have worse home records than Tottenham. However, Richarlison has scored in three of the last four games played on their own patch and is likely to get a chance or two here.

Surprise packages Sunderland are seventh at the halfway stage. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs and midfielder Granit Xhaka are their best players.

Prediction: 1-0

Manchester City v Chelsea (1.30pm)

The best game of the weekend is saved until last and Manchester City will need to win to keep up the pressure on Arsenal. Rodri made his return to the team against Sunderland on Thursday. Defender Matheus Nunes has become their best player other than Erling Haaland in this competition.

It remains to be seen if Chelsea will appoint a new head coach in time for this game after Enzo Maresca left the club on New Year’s Day. Moises Caicedo will miss this match through suspension.

Prediction: 2-1