The next couple of weeks are likely to prove crucial for those at the top of The Royal Gazette’s fantasy league standings.

With a double gameweek coming up in the round after this, knowing the right moment to play any chips you have left could prove the difference in climbing up the table or dropping down it.

Gameweek 33 feels like the perfect time to perhaps play your bench boost, which means the wildcard this week and the free hit for the week after.

It could pay to pack your team with Leeds players as they play Wolves and Bournemouth in the double gameweek.

Don’t forget that this round’s fixtures start on Friday when West Ham take on Wolves.

Friday

West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers (4pm)

A win for West Ham would lift them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Tottenham and they will be boosted by the return of Crysencio Summervile, the fleet-footed midfielder who scored 36 points in seven games before missing the last two with injury.

Wolves have lost only one of their last six Premier League games and midfielder Joao Gomes has scored 24 points in his past three matches.

Prediction: 1-1

Saturday

Arsenal v Bournemouth (8.30am)

Beaten in both domestic cups in the last couple of weeks, Arsenal have been steady but not spectacular in their last few league matches. Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka are all likely to be fit after resting during the international break.

Bournemouth are the only Premier League team not to lose in their last ten matches but seven of them have been draws. Eli Kroupi, Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams could all feature.

Prediction: 1-0

Brentford v Everton (11am)

Two teams on the verge of European qualification, sitting seventh and eighth in the Premier League respectively.

Only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have picked up more away points than Everton. James Garner and James Tarkowski have been racking up the points recently, while Iliman Ndiaye is expected to return.

Brentford’s Igor Thiago has scored twice in his past three games and is only three goals behind Erling Haaland in the race to be the league’s top scorer.

Prediction: 0-1

Burnley v Brighton (11am)

Brighton’s players are also worthy of consideration given they take on one of the league’s strugglers before playing Tottenham and Chelsea in the double gameweek. Lewis Dunk is suspended but goalkeeper Bart Verbuggen and defender Jan Paul van Hecke make interest here.

Burnley striker Zian Flemming has 24 points in five games and is in good form but Josh Laurent misses out through suspension.

Prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v Fulham (1.30pm)

Liverpool have won just two of their past eight games and there will be no surprise if Arne Slot is not at Anfield for the start of next season. But Alexander Isak made his return from injury off the bench in midweek and Mohamed Salah will be fresh after staying on the bench against PSG.

Only Leeds, Burnley and Wolves have picked up fewer points on the road than Fulham, who will welcome Kenny Tete back through injury.

Prediction: 2-1

Sunday

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (10am)

Given Newcastle’s poor away form and the fact Palace are at home to West Ham after this, their players make some appeal. Ismaila Sarr picked up 18 points in his past two games.

It is hard to know what to expect from Newcastle, who have won just four of their 15 league matches on the road. Influential midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is reportedly close to a return, while Lewis Miley should be in the squad. Midfielder Anthony Gordon has 28 points in three games and should start here.

Prediction: 1-2

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (10am)

Both sides will rack up air miles this week with Forest travelling to Portugal and Villa to Italy in the Europa League knockout stages. That scenario would normally favour the home team but there is only 50 miles between the two sides.

Forest’s leading striker Chris Wood is poised to return to the squad after six months out, while Villa winger Jadon Sancho should also be available for selection.

Prediction: 2-1

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur (10am)

Tottenham could start this game in the relegation zone if West Ham beat Wolves on Friday night. New head coach Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping to do what Igor Tudor did not and make an instant impact, but he will be without injured goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Betancur could return to the squad.

Sunderland will be helped by the potential return of goalkeeper Robin Roefs and defender Danny Ballard.

Prediction: 1-1

Chelsea v Manchester City (12.30pm)

Manchester City could be 12 points behind Arsenal by the time this kicks off. John Stones and Ruben Dias should be available for selection and defender Nico O’Reilly is turning into one of the game’s must-have players.

Chelsea head coach Leroy Rosenior has dropped Enzo Fernandez for comments made in the media about a potential move away from the club. They have won just one of their past six league matches and desperately need Cole Palmer to find his top form if they are to qualify for the Champions League.

Prediction: 1-2

Monday

Manchester United v Leeds United (4pm)

Harry Maguire signed a new one-year contract with Manchester United during the week but will miss this game after being sent off against Bournemouth. Lisandro Martinez is rumoured to be close to a return to action.

Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow has two clean sheets in his past two games but it may be too much to ask for a third here.

Prediction: 2-0