The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

Without an early kick-off to see us through, our Dugout Discussion’s are reserved for the three-o’clock encounters and the tea-time treat at Villa Park. Once again European competitions have shifted some of the big guns to Sunday’s programme, leaving Saturday somewhat lacking in points potential.

Nonetheless, Man City’s visit to the midlands and Liverpool’s Anfield clash with a bouncing Baggies will be of major interest. Fantasy managers will be checking on Manuel Pellegrini’s side as their fixture list softens up, with Sergio Aguero’s credentials for our front lines under major scrutiny. On Merseyside, Raheem Sterling’s ability to plaster over the cracks of a stuttering Liverpool attack will be tested against a West Brom side boosted by a 4-0 drubbing of Burnley. Suddenly, this one looks far from a formality.

Elsewhere, Neil Warnock’s goal-getting Palace take on the obliging Hull defence on Humbershide, while the Leicester rearguard is the latest to be “tested” by Burnley’s shot-shy attack at the Walkers Stadium.

Sunderland look to break a run of stalemates when they entertain Stoke, while Swansea will be the latest side to attempt to edge Alan Pardew out of the door at St James Park. Fantasy managers will be expecting, and hoping, for no mercy for Gylfi Sigurdsson and his team-mates.