The Dugout Discussion – Sunday

As the curtains are drawn on Gameweek 33, Manchester City fight to maintain their grip on a Champions League berth when they play host to West Ham United in the lunchtime kick-off. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur cap off this round of fixtures with the day’s second encounter, with the hosts looking to recover from five straight defeats.

City go head-to-head with the Hammers in an attempt to stave off a run of defeats after setbacks at Palace and neighbours United. Although his efforts eventually proved futile, Sergio Aguero rediscovered his scoring touch at Old Trafford, bagging his fourth brace of the campaign; he sports the FPL armband for many today. Elsewhere, David Silva remains heavily backed, having scored in each of the last three at the Etihad. The Spaniard is part of a five-man midfield today, as Frank Lampard is drafted in to lend his goal threat in support of lone striker Aguero.

Visitors West Ham will hope that fit-again Enner Valencia can compensate for the absence of top scorer Diafra Sakho to improve their output in attack: the Hammers have tallied just four goals in their previous six league outings. Carlton Cole comes in for Sakho today in their only change to the lineup that were held by Stoke last time out.

Later today, Newcastle will pursue a first victory in six attempts when they lock horns with Tottenham at St James’ Park. Their quest to secure three points is hindered by the absence of Moussa Sissoko: he serves a suspension having received a red card against Liverpool on Monday.

Over in the Spurs camp, Harry Kane has drawn blanks in three of the last four Gameweeks but will be favoured against a Toon rearguard that’s shipped an average of two goals per match in their last seven. Christian Eriksen, meanwhile, will aim to snap out of a nine-match goalless run and looks poised for a major exodus next week as we start to reassemble our midfields for the double Gameweek fixtures: he’s already been sold more than any other player in the FPL overnight.