The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

As the dust settles on another stunning Harry Kane contribution, we’ve another six matches coming our way this afternoon, with no shortage of potential points on offer.

Struggling Aston Villa entertain leaders Chelsea in one of five three o’clock kick-offs, with Jose Mourinho’s side still without suspended top scorer Diego Costa and playmaker Cesc Fabregas, despite reports that the Spaniard had recovered from his hamstring injury. Despite his absence, new signing Juan Cuadrado starts life on the bench where he’s joined by Kurt Zouma as Gary Cahill earns a recall – much to the disappointment of those who backed the 20-year-old Frenchman to retain his start. There’s a shock on the teamsheet for Villa too as Christian Benteke is dropped with Villa having failed to find the net since Gameweek 17.

Basement-dwellers Leicester City host Crystal Palace at the King Power, with those who invested in the likes of Jason Puncheon and Dwight Gayle hoping for returns after the pair drew a blank against Everton. However, three of the Foxes last four Premier League home matches have yielded just a single goal, suggesting that attacking points could be at a premium today. Nigel Pearson’s side will be hoping Riyad Mahrez can make an instant impact after returning from the African Cup of Nations – he’s handed an immediate recall.

Sergio Aguero carries the armband hopes of many Fantasy managers into City’s home encounter with Hull; the Argentine starts in an attacking City lineup that boasts Edin Dzeko and a recall for Samir Nasri in midfield. David Silva is also highly fancied to deliver against a Tigers side that have conceded six goals in their last two Premier League matches. At the other end, Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit are without a clean sheet since Gameweek 17, but defensive returns look on the cards, bearing in mind the visitors have blanked in seven of their last nine outings. Pablo Zabaleta returns at the back for City.

QPR’s caretaker boss Chris Ramsey takes charge for the first time for the Loftus Road clash against Southampton. Charlie Austin owners will be watching keenly and considering their options as the R’s leading scorer goes into this one having failed to score in his last three home matches. Fantasy managers will also be monitoring Southampton’s Sadio Mane, as he looks to rediscover the form that served up goals in three successive matches before flying off to the African Cup of Nations: Mane returns to the Saints’ starting lineup as Dusan Tadic drops to the bench.

Swansea ground out a surprise 1-0 win at Southampton last time out and face a Sunderland side who will be buoyed by two wins in the past week. Jonjo Shelvey scored the winner at St Mary’s and could thrive again playing in “the hole”, whilst many will be keeping an eye on Jermain Defoe and Adam Johnson as the Black Cats look forward to a pair of plum home clashes: Johnson returns to the bench following a recent thumb operation, with Defoe in the starting lineup alongside former Swan, Danny Graham.

The evening kick-off brings us the second big derby of the day, with Everton hosting Liverpool at Goodison Park. The Toffees have kept clean sheets in their last two Premier League matches, while Romelu Lukaku found the next against Palace last week and scored twice in this fixture last season. Raheem Sterling has produced attacking returns in four of his last five league appearances, with Philippe Coutinho also worth monitoring having grabbed two assists against West Ham last time out. Daniel Sturridge was drafted in by 78,000+ FPL managers, so Brendan Rodgers’ teamsheet will be of huge interest in a few hours time.