With the New Year almost upon us, we roll out our selections ahead of tomorrow’s Gameweek 20 fixtures. Liverpool, West Ham, Villa and City all supply us with a pair of players apiece as they look to take advantage of home comforts and get 2015 off to a flier.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the City backline due to recent rotation, we’ve opted for the security provided by Joe Hart ahead of a home clash against Sunderland. Prior to their weekend capitulation against Burnley, City had conceded twice in six outings and with the Black Cats scoring just once on their last four road trips, Manuel Pellegrini’s side look a likely source of defensive returns.
With Martin Skrtel suspended, we turn to fellow centre-half Mamadou Sakho for Liverpool’s home clash with Leicester. We’re uncertain enough over Alberto Moreno’s pitch time so instead bring the Frenchman into our side – the Reds have three clean sheets in the previous six at Anfield, whilst their visitors have drawn blanks on six occasions away from home already.
West Ham full-back Aaron Cresswell earns a spot in our starting line-up as the Baggies make their way to Upton Park. Big Sam’s side have three shut-outs in the last five in front of their own fans, whilst West Brom have scored in just one of their last four road trips. With a goal and two assists under his belt already, the left-back offers the chance of points at both ends of the pitch.
Villa’s home encounter with Palace brings Alan Hutton back onto the radar. The Scot has earned a goal, a clean sheets and three bonus points in his last two appearances at Villa Park and, at a price of 4.3, looks a bargain against an Eagles side with just one goal in their previous five away matches.
We’re keeping faith in Raheem Sterling as Liverpool face Leicester at Anfield. The youngster struck the woodwork twice and was unlucky not to get amongst the goals in Monday’s rout of Swansea and with their confidence on the up, Brendan Rodgers’ side look clear favourites to dispose of a defence that’s conceded at least twice in five of their last six road trips.
Four goals and an assist in his last three matches ensures David Silva retains his spot in our four-man midfield. The overwhelming favourite in this week’s Captain Poll, the City playmaker looks poised to torment Sunderland from start to finish as the champions attempt to bounce back from their weekend blip against Burnley.
We turn to the Hammers’ Stewart Downing for an enticing home encounter with West Brom. Prior to Arsenal’s weekend visit, Big Sam’s side had dropped just two points in their previous seven at Upton Park and look poised to return to winning ways against the managerless midlands outfit. With a goal or assist in four of his last six, Downing will be instrumental to the hosts’ chances.
We’re sticking our necks out for the final midfield position. Whilst a role in the centre is beneficial to Alexis Sanchez’ cause as Arsenal travel to Southampton, we’re expecting a hard-fought encounter – Ronald Koeman’s side proved against Chelsea that they are no pushovers. Instead, Kevin Mirallas comes into contention as Everton make their way to Hull. Granted, the Toffees haven’t been in the best form but the Belgian’s strike at Newcastle on Sunday took his tally to three goals in his last six appearances – up against a Hull side with one goal and a single point in their last five at the KC, Mirallas could be key to earning the visitors a much-needed win.
We place our faith in Charlie Austin once again as QPR welcome Swansea to Loftus Road. The R’s top scorer suffered a rare home blank last time around but, having racked up five goals and two assists in the last four in front of his own fans, he’ll be confident of breaching a defence that has one clean sheet (at Hull) in their last four on the road.
Having swept aside Spurs at the Bridge earlier this month, Chelsea will be confident of repeating the feat for tomorrow’s re-match at White Hart Lane. It was a battle between Eden Hazard and Diego Costa for our affections but in the end, the Spain international’s underlying stats persuaded us to take the plunge as Jose Mourinho’s men look to strengthen their grip on the summit.
A home clash with Crystal Palace brings Christian Benteke into contention. In spite of a blank against Sunderland last time out, he’s still managed to serve up a goal and assist in his last three at Villa Park and if Paul Lambert’s side are to grab a much-needed win, the big Belgian will surely play a part.
At 4.7, QPR’s Steven Caulker offers a decent option for points at both ends of the pitch as Swansea come calling. Redknapp’s side have two clean sheets in their last three at home, whilst Caulker’s aerial presence in the box is sure to bother Ashley Williams and co. as the hosts look for a vital win.
Newcastle’s home encounter with Burnley earns Moussa Sissoko a spot on the bench. The Magpies have won five of their last six at St James’ Park and with a goal or assist in three of the previous five in front of his own fans, the Frenchman looks a decent budget option against the Clarets’ porous rearguard.
Andy Carroll’s home form is too good to ignore for the Hammers’ showdown with West Brom. The target man has served up three goals and an assist in his last three at Upton Park and is the form forward as the hosts look to heap further misery on their visitors.
