The Dugout Discussion – Tuesday

Gameweek 28 gets underway with three 7.45pm kick offs, as Southampton look to steady the ship against Alan Pardew’s buoyant Crystal Palace side. Four of the bottom eight go head-to-head tonight, with Hull City entertaining Sunderland at the KC Stadium and Aston Villa hosting West Brom in the West Midlands derby.

Ronald Koeman will try to arrest the Saints’ three-match winless streak when the Eagles land at St Mary’s Stadium. Crystal Palace will fancy their chances, however, having won every away match under Alan Pardew in all competitions, including a 3-2 FA Cup win at St Mary’s back in January. With no goals to his name in 10 appearances, Graziano Pelle is on borrowed time but once again retains his starting spot. Meanwhile, Jason Puncheon tallied three assists last time out and is thriving in a central midfield berth for the Eagles, whilst Alan Pardew has handed Dwight Gayle the lone striker role this evening.

The Villains search for their first win in 12 when they lock horns with a Baggies outfit that are unbeaten in their last four. Tim Sherwood’s men – who have only registered two goals in 10 Gameweeks – will do well to breach a defence that’s claimed three consecutive clean sheets, given that Christian Benteke hasn’t netted in his last ten.  Brown Ideye and Sadio Berahino have both been passed fit for Tony Pulis’ side after limping off injured in the weekend win over Southampton. The latter is the visitors’ form man, having bagged two goals in his previous three outings and with Ron Vlaar missing out for the home side, the Baggies could be in line for another triumphant evening.

Hull City chase their third successive home win as the Black Cats fight for their first victory in four. Steve Bruce’s men are boosted by a return to the first XI for Nikica Jelavic and Dame N’Doye, who have both scored in each of their last two starts. Jermain Defoe looks the Black Cats’ main threat, despite the 32-year-old striker drawing blanks in his previous three outings, whilst Patrick van Aanholt owners are left disappointed as the Dutchman drops out of Gus Poyet’s side for the second time in three league outings.