The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

Fantasy aficionados have five early-afternoon kick-offs to assess, with Manchester City’s home tie against Newcastle United harbouring the potential to delight and disappoint in equal measures.

The Sky Blues are reeling off the back of two straight defeats, having shipped four goals at White Hart Lane last weekend. Nonetheless, no side has fashioned more shots on target (52) than the Manuel Pellegrini’s troops, encouraging many managers to double up on their attacking recruits. As for the Magpies, they’ve failed to score a single goal on their travels, which bodes well for the hosts’ clean-sheet prospects. Moreover, Newcastle rank bottom for attempts (25), shots inside the box (12) and on target (six) in away fixtures.

Norwich City welcome a Leicester City outfit that suffered just their second league defeat in 16 outings last weekend. Considering that neither side has recorded a clean sheet, a goalless draw doesn’t look to be on the cards. The Foxes ranked second for goals scored (seven) over the last three Gameweeks but also shipped two more goals (nine) than any team in the league. The Canaries, meanwhile, have conceded the second most big chances (16) across the whole campaign, revealing their frailties at the back.

Sunderland go in search of their first victory this term as they lock horns with West Ham United at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats haven’t scored since a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in Gameweek 4, underlining their recent impotence in the final third. Those managers in possession of Hammers players will be emboldened in the knowledge that only Crystal Palace (72) have conceded more shots inside the box (70) than Sunderland, while no outfit has conceded more goals (16) than the Wearsiders.

Elsewhere across the three o’clock kick-offs, Bournemouth look to prove they still pack a punch in the absence of Callum Wilson as they play host to Watford and Aston Villa will strive to arrest a three-match losing streak when Stoke City – who carded their first win of the season last Gameweek – make the trip to the West Midlands.