We turn our attentions to the weekend’s eight matches this lunchtime and, as always, there’s plenty for us to ponder. Wayne Rooney’s role up front for United, Stoke’s midfield prospects, City’s attack against the Reds’ rearguard, Alexis Sanchez’ barren run and Sadio Mane’s timekeeping are all on the agenda.

Rooney as a forward…
With doubts hovering over the fitness of Robin van Persie and James Wilson, the United skipper could be in line for a third successive start up top. Last week’s stint as a striker failed to deliver the goods, though, and Rooney – despite his security of pitch time – has now gone eight successive league appearances without a goal or assist. A strong display against Sunderland at Old Trafford may yet resurrect Rooney’s prospects, though, and with clashes against Newcastle and Villa also in the next five, the schedule certainly affords would-be suitors a degree of optimism.

Sakho’s momentum in Carroll’s absence…
With the big target man out for the season and Carlton Cole limping off with a hamstring injury last weekend, the onus is on the Senegal international to deliver. A goal against Spurs on Sunday took his tally to two in four league appearances and hints at a return to the form that saw Sakho score in five of his first six starts for the Hammers. At a price of just 5.5, his home clash with Palace is one of three kind Upton Park fixtures in the next six (CPL, SUN, STO) and with a trip to Leicester also factored in, he has the schedule to make a late claim for a place in our three-man frontlines.

Ings’ form ahead of the fixture storm…
The media’s focus has mainly surrounded Ashley Barnes this week but it’s the Clarets’ other forward who matters most on the pitch. Ings has netted in five of his last seven and last Saturday’s draw at Chelsea builds Burnley’s momentum ahead of a dire run of fixtures. A home clash with Swansea precedes clashes against Liverpool, City, Southampton, Spurs and Arsenal – although few will back Sean Dyche’s side to prevail, their Stamford Bridge point, allied with a draw at the Etihad in Gameweek 19, highlights their resilience. With clean sheets looking very unlikely, Ings’ displays will be vital.

Sinclair as a budget option under Sherwood…
Hopes were high for a Christian Benteke renaissance but so far, its the former City man who has been the main beneficiary of Paul Lambert’s Villa departure. Sinclair has notched in both his side’s matches since a change of manager – netting against Leicester in the cup and grabbing the opener at home to Stoke in Tim Sherwood’s first official match in charge. A trip to Newcastle is the first of four favourable fixtures (new, WBA, sun, SWA) and, at a price of just 5.2, Sinclair may yet be worth considering as he attempts to reprise the form that served up 151 points in 2011/12 with Swansea.

Moses versus Walters…
A converted spot-kick at Hull last weekend may have been his first goal since Gameweek 10 but Moses has still impressed since returning from injury midway though last month. The underlying stats shows that amongst midfielders over the last four Gameweeks, he is fourth for touches in the final third, second for both attempted and successful dribbles and third for total attempts as his influence grows for the Potters. Although he’s bettered Walters for shots (ten to eight) and key passes (seven to two) over their last four appearances, it’s the latter, with three strikes and an assist, who has rewarded Fantasy managers the most. At 5.2 and 5.3 respectively, Moses and Walters are set to battle it out for our affections as valid budget options as Mark Hughes’ side look to take advantage of some very kind upcoming fixtures (HUL, EVE, wba, CPL).

Hull’s front two..
Back-to-back victories over Villa and QPR have eased the pressure on Steve Bruce, with Hull now sitting four points clear of the drop zone. The Tigers upturn in form has been down to new strike partnership of Dame N’Doye and Nikica Jelavic – both have scored in each of the last two and, at 5.5 and 5.7 respectively, are looking real in-form options for Fantasy managers searching out a short-term striker. Looking at the schedule, Bruce will be desperate to take advantage of the next three (sto, SUN, lei) before the schedule turns nasty in Gameweek 30 and his front two look key to continuing their climb up the table.

Mane’s timekeeping…
Four goals and an assist in his last five starts highlights the Southampton midfielder’s capabilities. Unfortunately for Fantasy managers, Mane’s late arrival for last week’s clash with Liverpool saw Ronald Koeman drop him to the bench as the Saints failed to score for a third time in four league outings. With his team toiling in the final third, Koeman can ill-afford to leave Mane out of his starting XI if he’s to reignite his side’s bid for a top four finish – despite playing 249 minutes in the last four Gameweeks, Mane’s total of 14 attempts has been bettered by only one other midfielder. With a weekend trip to West Brom preceding three kind home matches in the next six (CPL, BUR, HUL), Mane needs to remain punctual to keep in our thoughts.

The Reds’ rearguard with City in town…
A run of five clean sheets in six looks to be firmly put to the test this Sunday as Liverpool prepare to entertain City. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have looked in scintillating form in recent league matches and racked up nine goals in their last two, with Yaya Toure back from international duties, Sergio Aguero on top form and David Silva dazzling. Given that Aguero leads the way in this week’s Captain Poll on the back of four strikes in three appearances in all competitions, his display at Anfield clearly looks set to have a significant say across the Fantasy games. Do the business in this one and City’s main men look poised for major investment as the schedule smiles kindly (LEI, bur, WBA, cpl) over the next four.

Sanchez’ form as the Toffees come calling…
It’s now six matches in all competitions without a goal for the Arsenal midfielder after his failure to find the net in last night’s shock home loss to Monaco. There’s no denying his goal threat still remains strong but at a time where Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla’s Fantasy fortunes have ticked over nicely, Sanchez has failed to justify the hefty 11.3 outlay. Sanchez has produced points in eight of his ten home starts so far but another blank against visitors Everton may have many thinking twice as a means to free up funds.