The Dugout Discussion – Tuesday

The festive schedule starts to kick in this evening as Fantasy managers prepare for the first of seven Gameweeks between now and New Year’s Day. We have six matches to feast upon this evening, with a number of in-form front men looking to continue their recent goal scoring displays.

With four goals in the last five rounds of fixtures, Burnley’s Danny Ings has been subject to plenty of investment since snatching a late home draw against Villa at the weekend. The 5.7-priced frontman is the man most likely to breach the injury-hit Newcastle defence at Turf Moor, though with the Magpies conceding just twice in six Gameweeks, he faces a tough task of getting amongst the points again.

Rickie Lambert makes his way to Leicester after notching two goals and an assist in his last three in all competitions, whilst the Foxes Leonardo Ulloa will be looking to kick on, having earned his first returns since Gameweek 5 last time out. Brendan Rodgers has recalled Steven Gerrard after resting his skipper at the weekend.

United welcome Stoke to Old Trafford in fine form. Louis van Gaal’s side have now won three on the spin and despite the loss of both Angel di Maria and Wayne Rooney, will fancy their chances against a defence that has been breached in each of the last seven. Robin van Persie has the chance to maintain his weekend form, whilst James Wilson will be hoping to stake a claim after getting the nod ahead of Radamel Falcao alongside the Dutchman up front.

Swansea’s home encounter with QPR sees Wilfried Bony and Charlie Austin go head-to-head at the Liberty. With the R’s conceding more goals away from home than any other side, the Ivorian – who has notched six times in seven – looks a strong captaincy contender here, whilst Austin’s five strikes in as many matches suggests the hosts could struggle to keep a clean sheet. Having already scored away from home at Southampton and Chelsea – the two toughest home defences in the league so far – Austin’s owners will be confident heading into this one.

Palace will be looking to Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie to continue their recent form as struggling Villa roll up to Selhurst Park. The latter supplied a pair of assists in the Eagles’ recent 3-1 home win over Liverpool and looks the main danger for the hosts, whilst Paul Lambert can welcome back Christian Benteke, with the big Belgian finally free from suspension. Both sides have managed just one clean sheet in the last nine, suggesting goals could be on the cards.

West Brom welcome the Hammers to the Hawthorns with Saido Berahino desperate to end a four-match goalless streak as the Baggies start to slip closer to the drop zone. Big Sam is still without Diafra Sakho and has handed Enner Valencia a place on the bench, though the visitors will still have high hopes of continuing the form that has seen them register 12 goals in six road trips – a tally bettered only by City and Chelsea.