The Dugout Discussion – Sunday

Manchester City could deal the final blow to Queens Park Rangers’ slim hopes of survival when they meet at the Etihad in today’s lunchtime kick-off. Meanwhile, Chelsea play host to Liverpool in the tea-time match-up, with the Reds looking to maintain slim hopes of a top four finish.

Sergio Aguero is challenging Christian Benteke for the tag of form forward, having netted his fifth goal in four starts during a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. David Silva was also among the points at White Hart Lane – tallying his eighth assist of the campaign – yet has failed to grace the scoresheet in five Gameweeks. If the R’s are to have any chance of staging a miraculous comeback, they’ll need top-scorer, Charlie Austin, to snap out of his three-match barren run.

The Blues’ head-to-head with Liverpool promises to be a competitive affair, despite Jose Mourinho’s troops securing the title last time out. Eden Hazard will doubtless be pursuing his own personal milestones for the remainder of the season, as the Belgian winger closes in on 15 goals – his owners are hoping that the Belgian’s midweek holiday pics aren’t a sign of Jose Mourinho’s intentions to rest and rotate from here on in. Chelsea’s back line could make it five clean sheets in six with another shut-out at Stamford Bridge but should face strong resistance from the sprightly Philippe Coutinho, who scored on the weekend and has orchestrated Liverpool’s attack with aplomb of late.