After last week’s schedule was hit hard by cup postponements, we return to normality with 10 fixtures to choose from. Everton and Southampton supply our starting XI with a couple of players apiece as they prepare for the visit of Cardiff and Norwich respectively, whilst Sunday’s encounter at Old Trafford gives us two of our three-man frontline:
We opt for Michel Vorm between the posts as Swansea welcome West Brom to the Liberty. In an injury-hit season, the Dutchman has conceded just once in his last five home appearances, and with the Baggies hammered by injuries to key players over the last few days, a shut-out for the Dutchman could well be on the cards.
Jose Fonte offers the chance of points at both ends of the pitch as Southampton entertain Norwich at St Mary’s. The centre-half has already scored three times this term and faces a Canaries side that have netted just three times in their last six road trips, whilst Fonte’s ability to serve up bonus points also falls in his favour – he’s delivered 18 to date, mirroring the combined tally of fellow Saints defenders Dejan Lovren and Luke Shaw.
A home game against Cardiff brings Seamus Coleman into consideration. Whilst many are opting for Leighton Baines, the left-back has yet to score from open play this season – a feat that Coleman has already managed on five occasions. Furthermore, the Toffees have conceded just once in their last three at Goodison, whilst Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s side have failed to find the net in any of their last three road trips.
Sunderland’s home clash with Palace brings Phil Bardsley into our three-man backline. The full-back has scored four times in all competitions since being recalled to the first-team by Gus Poyet and faces an Eagles side that have netted only once in their previous four road trips.
With Sergio Aguero ruled out yet again for City, Yaya Toure’s contribution will be vital for tomorrow’s testing trip to Hull. Given that the Tigers shipped four goals to Newcastle in their previous home match, the Ivorian’s owners will be optimistic of further points and, with Aguero’s absence also handing him spot-kicks as well as set-pieces, he could be set to extend the form which has seen him score or assist in 15 of City’s league matches already.
Adam Lallana’s Fantasy owners will be anticipating further returns for tomorrow’s home encounter with Norwich. The Canaries have conceded at least twice in each of their last four road trips and were battered 4-1 by Villa in their last away game – this bodes well for Lallana, who has already served up five double-figure hauls in front of his own fans this season.
Eden Hazard is impossible to overlook for Chelsea’s trip to Villa. Given that Paul Lambert’s side last managed a home clean sheet in November, the chances of keeping out the Blues looks slim – with four goals and a pair of assists in his previous five, Hazard’s form has been instrumental in helping Jose Mourinho’s side establish a seven-point advantage at the summit.
Sunday’s north London derby at the Lane earns Santi Cazorla a call-up. Tottenham have now shipped seven goals to Chelsea and Benfica in their last couple of matches, and with Michael Dawson ruled out due to a hamstring injury, the Gunners will be confident of picking up the points. Cazorla could be switched to a central role due to Mesut Ozil’s injury and his penchant for a long shot could come to the fore again as he looks to add to his tally of three goals in the last seven matches.
Goals in each of his last couple of league appearances suggest Wayne Rooney is finding his form again. Having recovered from injury, the United frontman took his time to return to full match fitness but, whilst Robin van Persie is starting to falter, the England international looks to be approaching his best once more and a home clash against Liverpool’s porous defence hands him the chance to extend his scoring streak.
We’re also backing Luis Suarez for Sunday’s Old Trafford encounter, with goals looking on the menu. United have already lost four times in front of their own fans this term and conceded twice to Fulham in their previous home match – David Moyes’ side will do well to keep the Uruguayan in check, as Suarez goes in search of his sixth double-figure away haul of the season.
Romelu Lukaku has been quick to make an impact since returning from injury, having scored in each of his two appearances in league and cup. With the big Belgian back in the fold, Everton look solid favourites to see off an ailing Cardiff side that has conceded an average of two goals per game since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
We’re backing Ryan Shawcross to deliver as Stoke welcome West Ham to the Britannia. The Potters kept out Arsenal in their previous home encounter and face a Hammers side that has drawn blanks in two of their last three road trips. Shawcross’ threat in the box and ability to pick up bonus is also key to his inclusion.
Adam Johnson is more than a little unlucky to only make the bench. The Sunderland wide man has racked up six goals and a pair of assists in his last six league appearances and could well be set to prosper against a Palace side that have managed a single clean sheet on their travels under Tony Pulis.
Wilfried Bony warms the bench for Swansea’s clash with the injury-hit Baggies. Fully recovered from the illness that forced him off in the previous league match, the Ivorian will be hoping to continue the form that has harvested six goals in nine appearances since the turn of the year.
