The Dugout Discussion – Tuesday

Just two days after the previous Gameweek came to its conclusion, the domestic action rumbles on again as Fantasy managers brace themselves for another quick turnaround in fixtures. Gameweek 25 gets underway this evening with a quartet of matches to attract our attention, with Alexis Sanchez’ return for Arsenal at the top of many agendas.

After tasting defeat to bitter rivals Spurs at the weekend, the Gunners are looking for home comforts to bounce back immediately. Arsene Wenger’s side have won each of their last five at the Emirates and Sanchez, with four goals and as many assists in his last four home appearances, leads the way in this week’s Captain Poll, though Olivier Giroud owners have been dealt a blow after the Frenchman dropped to the bench.

Four of the bottom seven do battle in the other two 7.45pm matches. Hull will be buoyed by their battling draw away to City last time out, whilst visitors Villa will be looking to kick on after finally ending their six-match drought with a goal at home to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

Sunderland will fancy their chances of getting one over QPR at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats kept chalked up a 2-0 win over Burnley in their last home match and with the likes of Charlie Austin sidelined through injury, Costel Pantilimon and Patrick van Aanholt’s owners will be confident of getting amongst the points. Jermain Defoe’s two goals and an assist in three for the Wearsiders has earned him almost 130,000 new owners as Gus Poyet’s side look to take advantage of their visitors’ injury-hit rearguard.

Liverpool and Spurs go head-to-head at Anfield in the evening’s only 8pm kick-off. Raheem Sterling has failed to recover from a knock, though Daniel Sturridge starts for the home side after a handful of recent sub appearances. For the unchanged visitors, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen tasked with breaching a backline that’s chalked up four straight shut-outs after the goalless draw at Goodison on Saturday evening.