The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

Gameweek 25’s main course serves up a half-dozen Premier League matches this Saturday afternoon. Scanning through the schedule, Tottenham Hotspur’s home encounter against Watford promises to be an intriguing contest for Fantasy managers.

Spurs boast the league’s form attack, having tallied two more goals (10), 20 more attempts (88), three more shots inside the box (46) and 12 more shots on target (33) than any outfit over the previous four Gameweeks. In addition, they proved to be the league’s most creative unit over that stretch, mustering 13 more key passes than second-best, Liverpool (52). As for the Hornets, they charted joint-bottom for goals (two) and joint-second-bottom for shots on target (11), which bodes well for the Lilywhites’ defensive prospects at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool endeavour to register their first home win in three outings when Sunderland roll up at Anfield. Although the Reds ranked joint-second for goals (eight) over the last four Gameweeks, their inconsistency was illuminated by the presence of two blanks. Indeed, their relative success on the attacking front was counteracted by a defence that placed joint-second for goals conceded (10). The Black Cats, meanwhile, converted 33 attempts into six goals, giving rise to the best shot accuracy (39.4%) and shot-conversion rate (18.2%) around the league.

Stoke City attempt to rebound from successive 3-0 losses when they lock horns with Everton at the Britannia Stadium. The Potters offered minimal threat in the final third over the previous four Gameweeks, posting three blanks and ranking in the bottom two for shots inside the box (17), big chances (three) and shot on target (11). They’re pitted against a Toffees squad that struggled for consistency, notching one win, one draw and two defeats in their quartet of fixtures. Indeed, the Merseysiders are yet to record two wins on the trot this term.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa are unbeaten in three home match-ups as they prepare to host a Norwich City team that shipped 14 goals in their previous four outings. In the wake of consecutive defeats, Newcastle United entertain West Bromwich Albion – who are winless in four matches – at St James’ Park. Finally, Swansea City and Crystal Palace do battle at the Liberty Stadium. The former avoided defeat in their previous trio of outings, while Palace have suffered five straight defeats.