Following Newcastle’s somewhat surprising 2-0 win, the Gameweek rolls on with six three o’clock kick-offs, followed by a tea-time feast as Arsenal host Liverpool in the 5.30 encounter.
Fantasy managers will be focused on the Etihad, where City are expected to rout visitors Norwich City, with Sergio Aguero heavily backed with the armband by many. The team news finds that Manuel Pellegrini has, as reported, dropped Joe Hart from his lineup, handing Romanian Costel Pantilimon the start with Javi Garcia also missing out as Alvaro Negredo comes into a 4-4-2. Visitors Norwich make two changes – Robert Snodgrass misses out after his midweek concussion, while Alex Tettey is also sidelined through injury. Steven Whittaker and Bradley Johnson are drafted in.
The red side of Manchester are at the Cottage today, with David Moyes again ringing the changes. He drafts in Rafael, Nemanja Vidic, Antonio Valencia and Anan Januzaj, with Chris Smalling, Nani and Shinji Kagawa making way – Michael Carrick is sidelined with an Achilles problem. Fulham make just one change – Ashkan Dejagah comes in for Darren Bent.
Down at the KC Stadium, Steve Bruce is able to welcome back Sone Aluko after injury, while Jake Livermore also returns having been ineligible for the trip to Spurs. Alex Bruce drops out through injury, with David Meyler also making way. Robbie Brady is only fit enough for the Hull bench, with Abdoulaye Faye and Robert Koren also amongst their subs. Gus Poyet makes just one change to his Sunderland lineup following the win over Newcastle – Fabio Borini earns a start after his winning goal and replaces Adam Johnson as the Black Cats appear to go with three strikers. Wes Brown is back on the Sunderland bench.
West Ham again line up without a centre forward, as Matt Jarvis replaces the injured Ricardo Vaz Te and Jack Collison comes in for Mo Diame who is benched. Opponents Villa make four changes – Matt Lowton, Ciaran Clark, Karim El Ahmadi and Yacouba Sylla all earn starting roles as Gabriel Agbonhlahor is sidelined with an ankle problem, while Antonio Luna and Fabian Delph are also ruled out; Aleks Tonev drops to the bench.
Down at the Britannia, Mark Hughes makes a single change to his midfield with Glenn Whelan getting the start ahead of Wilson Palacios. Southampton are unchanged as Mauricio Pochettino is again without striker Pablo Osvaldo.
Finally, at the Hawthorns, Steve Clarke hands starts to James Morrison, Chris Brunt and Shane Long as Claudio Yacob drops to the bench and Victor Anichebe and Nicolas Anelka are out of the matchday squad. Morgan Amalfitano is fit and starts. Keith Millen names an unchanged Palace lineup.
Our Dugout Discussion chatroom remains open and will care for your real-time chatter requirements right through to the final whistle at this evening’s Emirates encounter.
