The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

Saturday afternoon’s Premier League action serves up a quintet of three o’clock kick offs before West Ham play host to Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland in the tea-time encounter at the Boleyn Ground. Arsenal attempt to stretch their winning streak to six matches when they pay visit to St James’ Park, while North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur look to bounce back from their Old Trafford defeat as they face basement dwellers Leicester City.

Tim Sherwood will want more of the same from in-form Villa strike duo Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor – who’ve combined for six goals in their last two outings – when his side host Swansea City. Gylfi Sigurdsson threatened for the Swans last time out – attempting five shots on goal at home to Liverpool – and will be keenly observed by his 24% ownership. The teamsheets find Fantasy favourite Alan Hutton earning a recall for Villa as Matt Lowton drops out of the squad.

Newcastle United are without the suspended Fabricio Coloccini and Papiss Cisse as they attempt to snap Arsenal’s five-match win streak. With goals in four successive starts, Olivier Giroud is the league’s form forward going into this match-up. Alexis Sanchez remains the third most popular midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game and will be looking to improve upon a run that has seen him score just once in his last six appearances. Arsene Wenger recalls Santi Cazorla to his midfield this afternoon but is without Mesut Ozil through illness. Gabriel comes in for Per Mertesacker at the back, while Hector Bellerin is again benched as Calum Chambers earns a second consecutive league start. Danny Welbeck is also recalled as Theo Walcott makes way.

Southampton and Burnley go head-to-head as they scrap for points at opposite ends of the table. Saints midfielder Sadio Mane has delivered attacking returns in his last two, strengthening his differential potential. Meanwhile, the heavily backed Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand search for a clean sheet against a Clarets’ attack that’s notched just twice in their last four away clashes. A goal from Danny Ings would break a four-game barren run for Burnley striker. Burnley are unsurprisingly unchanged following last weekend’s win over City, whilst Ronald Koeman recalls Graziano Pelle to his Southampton lineup as Victor Wanyama drops to the bench.

Tottenham Hotspur will look to banish the  memories of last week’s defeat to Manchester United when they play host to Leicester City. Harry Kane mustered just one shot against the Red Devils but will fancy his chances against a Foxes’ rearguard that’s shipped 11 in five road trips. One goal in his last six is a concern for Christian Eriksen’s 26% ownership. The Foxes main men have another chance to stake a claim for consideration ahead of their double Gameweek 34. Spurs are unchanged at the Lane, despite last weekend’s 3-0 reverse.

Stoke City welcome Crystal Palace to the Britannia Stadium having recorded shut-outs in their last two home clashes. Mame Biram Diouf, Victor Moses and Peter Crouch have shared the goalscoring duties of late, each bagging two goals in their previous four starts. Potters boss Mark Hughes will need to concoct a plan to stifle Alan Pardew’s in-form side – the Eagles have won three of their four away matches under the new man in charge. The Eagles are able to field both Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon – the pair have shaken off injury concerns to start against the Potters.

West Ham United lock horns with Sunderland in Saturday’s late kick off. In the absence of the injured Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho (one goal in six) remains the Hammers’ principal goal threat and has registered more shots inside the box over the last four than any other player. Having failed to find the back of the net in his last seven appearances, Stewart Downing is on borrowed time. Dick Advocaat will aim to capitalise on West Ham’s makeshift defence and christen his tenure with three points.