The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

Saturday’s afternoon action serves up a quintet of fixtures for Fantasy managers to cast an analytical eye over, before Burnley attempt to upset Arsenal in their teatime encounter at Turf Moor.

Southampton entertain Hull City as they continue their pursuit of a European berth. The Tigers are without a win in five and are in danger of being sucked into the relegation zone in light of a run-in that includes four of the current top-six. Saints’ high-ownership defenders will be targeting a clean sheet against a Hull side that’s netted just two goals in their last six road matches, while Dame N’Doye will be hoping to grace the scoresheet at St Mary’s Stadium, having failed to register in his last three starts. The big team news from St Mary’s is that Nathaniel Clyne is surprisingly dropped to the bench with Maya Yoshida drafted into the back four – Ronald Koeman “rests” Clyne amidst ongoing speculation surrounding his future at the club. Sadio Mane and Steven Davis also earn recalls for the Saints.

Tottenham Hotspur play host to Aston Villa as Tim Sherwood returns to White Hart Lane for the first time since his appointment at the West Midlands club. Having bagged a hat trick in Spurs’ previous home tie against Leicester City, Harry Kane surely carries the captaincy by the majority of his 50% FPL ownership. Christian Eriksen, meanwhile, looks to end an eight-match spell without a goal. Christian Benteke notched four times in the Villains’ double Gameweek and will fancy his chances against a rearguard that’s been breached in each of their last six home outings.

Following a win over arch rivals Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne derby, Sunderland will be in a buoyant mood when they welcome Crystal Palace to Selhurst Park. Jermain Defoe snapped a six-match barren streak in spectacular fashion last time out, recording his third goal since joining the Black Cats in January. The Eagles’ lone striker Glenn Murray is the form man coming into this encounter, having netted against Manchester City and Stoke City in recent weeks to take his tally to five goals and a couple of assists in his last five league outings.

West Bromwich Albion look to atone for a crushing 4-1 defeat to QPR last Gameweek as they face off against Leicester City at the Hawthorns. Strike duo Saido Berahino and Brown Ideye have drawn blanks in the Baggies last two clashes yet remain their principal goal threat. Claudio Yacob returns to the midfield today with Stephane Sessegnon making way, as Tony Pulis looks to batten down the hatches following last weekend’s reverse.

Four points adrift at the foot of the table, the Foxes will be in full attack mode for this match-up, which could see the likes of Jamie Vardy (one goal and two assists in two) and David Nugent (one goal and assist in two) build upon their recent Fantasy returns. Nigel Pearson makes just one change to last weekend’s winning lineup – Riyad Mahrez is back on the bench with Marc Albrighton earning a surprise start on the flank.

West Ham United lock horns with Stoke City in an attempt to record just their third win in 15 outings. The Hammers have struggled to find the back of the net of late, with top scorer Diafra Sakho mustering three goals in his last 13 starts. Meanwhile, the Potters will strive to arrest a run of three consecutive defeats when they roll up to the Boleyn Ground.

Burnley invite Arsenal to Turf Moor in Saturday’s evening kick off, knowing a win could propel them out of the bottom three if results elsewhere develop in their favour. The Clarets will need to find a way to prevent Gunners marksman Olivier Giroud from scoring for the seventh successive Gameweek, while Alexis Sanchez’ return to form (a goal and an assist against Liverpool) will also be a major concern for the hosts.