Saturday’s Gameweek events continue with a five three o’clock kick-offs, before Liverpool conclude matters with their trip to the Stadium of Light this evening. There’s plenty on show for Fantasy managers, then, with heavy returns expected, particularly at Old Trafford where United host West Brom.
The team news from that particular clash is hugely significant. David Moyes rotates his lineup with the midweek Champions League fixture in mind, resting both Nemamja Vidic and Patrice Evra, while Robin van Persie only makes the bench on his return to fitness. Javier Hernandez is drafted in for the Dutchman, with both Jonny Evans and Alex Buttner starting at the back. Anderson, Phil Jones, Shinji Kagawa and Nani also start in a much-changed United lineup from the one that lost out in Sunday’s derby as Marouane Fellaini, Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia drop to the bench. Steve Clarke also makes changes in opposition: Claudio Yacob returns to bolster the midfield, while Victor Anichebe also earns a recall. James Morrison and Nicholas Anelka are the men to miss out for the Baggies.
Southampton make just one change to their lineup for the St Mary’s encounter with Crystal Palace. Mauricio Pochettino elects to bring Steven Davis into his starting XI, dropping Jay Rodriguez back to the bench. Ian Holloway is forced to tweak his Palace lineup, with Damien Delaney ruled out through injury and Jason Puncheon ineligible to face his parent club. That means a return for fit-again Joel Ward at the back, while Jimmy Kebe earns a first league start on the flank. Dwight Gayle and Kagisho Dikgacoi also earn recalls after missing the home defeat to Swansea: Adlène Guedioura and Cameron Jerome make way.
At Villa Park, Paul Lambert makes three changes to the home lineup, drafting in Nathan Baker, Yacouba Sylla and Libor Kozak as both Gabby Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke miss out through injury. Aleksandar Tonev drops to the bench, with Leandro Bacuna presumably shifting to midfield and Ciaran Clark switching to right-back. Manuel Pellegrini is without both David Silva and Sergio Aguero, as Edin Dzeko is recalled up front to partner Alvaro Negredo. James Milner also earns a start – he replaces Jesus Navas on the flank although it seems that it was Samir Nasri who initially made way, before a late teamsheet tweak was made.
Steve Bruce is without the injured James Chester for the visit of West Ham but can welcome back Maynor Figuroa from compassionate leave. He starts with Abdoulaye Faye in the Hull defence, in what could be a 3-5-2 from the Tigers; Stephen Quinn makes way from midfield. The Hammers make one change to their lineup, James Tomkins comes in for James Collins at the back; surprisingly, the Welshman is dropped to the bench. Razvan Rat keeps his start at left-back.
Finally, at the Cottage, Martin Jol makes just one change to his Fulham lineup that lost out at Chelsea last time out, as Dimitar Berbatov is recalled in place of Damien Duff. Malky Mackay also makes just one change to his Cardiff teamsheet, handing Peter Odemwingie his full league debut as Craig Bellamy drops to the bench.
Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is still open to cover the real-time banter during these matches, and Arsenal’s visit to Swansea later today.
