In an unusual turn of events, there are just four mid-afternoon kick-offs for Fantasy managers to assess today, with Manchester City’s home clash against Swansea City perhaps the most intriguing encounter on show.
The Sky Blues are experiencing a slump in form, having carded just one victory in their last four outings. Nonetheless, Manuel Pellegrini’s charges have amassed six more home goals (23) than any side this term so are likely to breach the Swans defence at the Etihad. As for the manager-less Swans, they shipped seven goals over the last four Gameweeks and offered minimal attacking threat, too, ranking second-bottom for shots on target (six).
Crystal Palace locks horns with an underperforming Southampton outfit at Selhurst Park. The Eagles are ranked second for goals scored (eight) and top for shots on target (24) over the last four Gameweeks, illustrating their renewed zip in the final third. Saints placed joint-second for attempts (64) and second for shots inside the box (42) across the same period but managed just three goals and 17 shots on target. As such, only Chelsea (1.6%) posted an inferior shot-conversion rate (4.7%).
Sunderland play host to a Watford side that’s lost just one of their previous five road encounters. The Black Cats have proved hard to beat of late, conceding four goals in as many outings while ranking in the middle of the pack for shots inside the box conceded (29). The Hornets, meanwhile, placed fourth for goals scored (seven) and fifth for shots on target (22) over the last four Gameweeks, demonstrating the evolution of their style in the second quarter of this season.
Rounding off the three o’clock kick-offs, West Ham welcome Stoke to the Boleyn Ground. Irons boss Slaven Bilic will be concerned that his team rank joint-third for shots inside the box conceded (39) and third for big chances surrendered (nine) since Gameweek 12. Conversely, the Potters were the only outfit that allowed zero big chances over the last four Gameweeks, resulting in the joint-best defensive record (two goals conceded).
