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The league is incredibly competitive right now, with no Premier League side managing back-to-back wins at this stage.
All of the current top four have already dropped points, meaning any slip-up could prove extremely costly.
Meanwhile, the January transfer window has been relatively quiet this season, with a more predictable deadline day expected as fewer squad changes are anticipated.
West Ham vs Sunderland
West Ham United have a small but notable list of absentees.
Lucas Paquetá remains unavailable as he continues to deal with a lower back issue, and Łukasz Fabiański is sidelined with a back injury and has no confirmed return date.
Sunderland have a few availability concerns to manage.
Arthur Masuaku and Bertrand Traoré remain sidelined with ankle and knee injuries respectively, while there is some positive news with Mouhamadou Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi back in training and both in contention pending late fitness checks.
Prediction: West Ham 0-2 Sunderland
Fulham vs Brighton
Fulham are dealing with a handful of fitness concerns. Rodrigo Muniz remains a longer-term absentee as he continues his recovery, while Kenny Tete and Emile Smith Rowe are both doubts pending further assessment.
There is more worrying news around Saša Lukić, whose issue appears more serious and could keep him sidelined for an extended period. Brighton & Hove Albion continue to struggle with injuries.
Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster remain long-term absentees after serious knee problems, while Solly March is edging closer but not yet ready to return.
Mats Wieffer is also unavailable as he continues to deal with a persistent toe issue.
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Brighton
Burnley vs Tottenham
Burnley are coping with a long injury list.
Josh Cullen remains a major long-term absentee after an ACL injury, while Zeki Amdouni and Connor Roberts are also sidelined.
There is some cautious optimism with Joe Worrall and Zian Flemming both back in training and facing late fitness calls, but Jordan Beyer and Mike Trésor continue their recoveries with no clear return dates.
Tottenham Hotspur continue to struggle with a heavy injury list. James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, Richarlison, and Dejan Kulusevski all remain sidelined with long-term issues, while Lucas Bergvall has also joined the treatment room with an ankle injury.
João Palhinha offers a glimmer of hope, but he faces a late fitness test and remains a doubt for the upcoming fixture.
Prediction: Burnley 2-1 Tottenham
Man City vs Wolves
Manchester City are facing a major injury crisis, particularly in defence. Joško Gvardiol, John Stones, Rúben Dias, and Mateo Kovačić are all ruled out for extended periods, while Oscar Bobb also remains sidelined.
There are additional doubts over Nico González and Matheus Nunes, both still being assessed, and Savinho’s situation is uncertain, leaving Pep Guardiola with limited options during a crucial stretch of the season.
On the other hand, Wolves have a relatively small injury list.
Toti Gomes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde remain sidelined with thigh injuries and are still some way from returning, while Tawanda Chirewa is a doubt after missing training through illness and will be assessed closer to matchday.
Prediction: Man City 3-1 Wolves
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
AFC Bournemouth are dealing with a severe injury situation. Justin Kluivert, Ben Doak, and Tyler Adams are long-term absentees following serious knee and thigh injuries, while Enes Ünal is expected to miss a few weeks with a groin problem.
Marcus Tavernier, Julio Soler, William Dennis, and Matai Akinmboni are also sidelined, and David Brooks remains a doubt as he continues to be assessed, leaving Bournemouth stretched for options across the pitch.Liverpool have a relatively lighter injury list but with key absences.
Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are long-term knee injury concerns, while Alexander Isak is facing a prolonged spell out with a calf issue.
Federico Chiesa remains a doubt and is still being assessed after a late setback in training.
Prediction: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Crystal Palace are facing a busy spell on the injury front.
Daichi Kamada, Cheick Doucouré, Rio Cardines, Nathaniel Clyne, and Caleb Kporha remain sidelined, while Edward Nketiah is still being assessed after a thigh issue.
Daniel Muñoz is edging closer to a return, Ismaïla Sarr remains a doubt amid AFCON commitments. Chelsea continue to juggle several availability issues.
Levi Colwill remains a long-term absentee following ACL surgery, while Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo are also sidelined with thigh injuries.
Enzo Fernández is still recovering from illness and faces a late call, Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable due to suspension, and Filip Jorgensen is out after picking up a recent issue.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-3 Chelsea
Newcastle vs Aston Villa
Newcastle United continue to battle multiple fitness issues. Fabian Schär is set for a lengthy spell out following ankle surgery, while Valentino Livramento, Emil Krafth, and Jacob Murphy remain sidelined.
Dan Burn and Will Osula are back training but are not yet ready to return, and there is fresh concern over Bruno Guimarães, who is being assessed after picking up an ankle problem.
Aston Villa are dealing with a cluster of injury concerns. Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley, and John McGinn are all ruled out with knee issues, with varying recovery timelines still unclear.
There is also uncertainty around Emiliano Martínez, who is being assessed after a calf problem and remains a doubt for the upcoming fixture.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa
Brentford vs Nottm Forest
Brentford continue to manage a small but notable injury list.
Fábio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Josh Dasilva remain sidelined with long-term knee injuries, while there is some positive news with Jordan Henderson back on the grass and pushing for a return pending a late fitness test.
Nottingham Forest have a few issues to contend with. John Victor and Chris Wood remain sidelined with knee injuries, Igor Jesus is a doubt after picking up a knock and will be assessed closer to kickoff.
Prediction: Brentford 3-0 Nottm Forest
Arsenal vs Man Utd
Arsenal have a relatively short injury list. Max Dowman remains sidelined with an ankle issue and is still a few weeks away from returning, while Riccardo Calafiori continues to recover with no fixed timeline.
Piero Hincapié is also unavailable as his thigh injury is still being assessed.
Manchester United have a relatively light injury list. Joshua Zirkzee is set to miss a couple of weeks, Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined as he continues to manage a back issue.
Prediction: Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd
Everton vs Leeds
Everton continue to manage a lengthy absence list. Carlos Alcaraz, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Timothy Iroegbunam are edging closer but have yet to return to full training, while Michael Keane remains suspended.
There is some encouragement with Jarrad Branthwaite back on the grass, though he is still being assessed, while Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye remain unavailable due to AFCON.
Jack Grealish is also sidelined and undergoing further medical review. Leeds United have a few injury concerns to manage.
Jaka Bijol remains sidelined with a thigh issue and will continue to be assessed, while Daniel James is closing in on a return after rejoining parts of team training.
Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson are both doubtful and face late fitness checks ahead of the next fixture.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Leeds
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