The Dugout Discussion – Thursday

After Wayne Rooney grabbed a goal and assist during United’s win at the KC earlier, it’s time to concentrate on a further feast of football this Boxing Day. We’re served up another nine games, with all but one of those kicking off at 3pm:

Romelu Lukaku earned third spot in this week’s Captain Poll ahead of Everton’s home clash against Sunderland. The big Belgian may have failed to find the net in the last four but with Wes Brown suspended and John O’Shea a doubt, he’ll be hoping for a return to form.

Spurs welcome West Brom to the Lane as Emmanuel Adebayor (who finished fourth in the Captain Poll) looks to repeat last Sunday’s brace against Southampton. Chelsea play host to Swansea, with Eden Hazard also carrying the armband hopes of many Fantasy managers into the Gameweek, as will Theo Walcott for Arsenal’s trip to West Ham.

Yohan Cabaye’s new owners will be looking for the Frenchman to maintain the consistency which has served up returns in eight of 12 appearances as Newcastle welcome Stoke to St James’ Park. Elsewhere, Villa play host to Palace, Cardiff go head-to-head with Southampton, whilst Norwich welcome Fulham to Carrow Road.

This leads us on to the final match of the Gameweek, where City’s 100% home record is on the line against Liverpool. The Fantasy sub-plot is intriguing – can Yaya Toure, David Silva and Alvaro Negredo produce the goods at the Etihad yet again? And just how many points will Luis Suarez rack up against a defence that has conceded three times to Arsenal and twice to both West Brom and Fulham in the last four Gameweeks alone?

If there’s one thing that seems certain, the evening encounter at the Etihad looks set to bring goals aplenty. Our Dugout Discussion chatroom remains open for those looking for some real-time banter right up until the final whistle of that last match.