With no early kick-off, Gameweek 16 belatedly begins with a batch of six afternoon fixtures, before Arsenal host Newcastle at the Emirates for our tea-time treat.
Fantasy managers will be fixated on fortunes down at the Bridge, where leaders Chelsea are expected to dish out a spanking to Hull side that’s stuttered badly in recent weeks. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa both start and sport the armband for the majority in the Gameweek as Jose Mourinho recalls his big-hitters. Cesar Azpilicueta is the only casualty, he’s left on the bench as Filipe Luis retains the left-back role following Wednesday’s European tie.
Second placed City also bristle with a host of Fantasy talent as they make the trip to basement dwellers Leicester. Like Chelsea, they carry the weight of expectation today, with Fantasy managers monitoring their progress without the services of Sergio Aguero. Yaya Toure’s output will be of keen interest, while David Silva starts and will be under the microscope. Edin Dzeko was due to take his place in the City lineup but was injured in the warm-up. He’s let me down before kicking a ball – a new low in my relationship with the Bosnian.
Elsewhere, Southampton have the opportunity to snap back into form with their trip to Burnley, while West Ham’s ascent will be tested by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Palace are unchanged for their Selhurst Park meeting with Stoke, while at the Hawthorns, Alan Irvine gives starts to Brown Ideye and Silvestre Varela in the derby clash with Villa as Saido Berahino remains benched.
Our Twitter feed includes all this and the full starting XI’s and we’ll update you again prior to Arsenal’s meeting with the Magpies this evening.
