A breathless Gameweek continues apace with a quartet of mid-afternoon duels. Manchester United’s home encounter against Aston Villa holds particular interest as Fantasy managers attempt to exploit the visitors’ pitiable form.
Across their previous four outings, the Red Devils mustered just two goals while charting bottom for attempts (27), bottom for shots inside the box (14) and second-bottom for shots on target (eight), illustrating the impotence of their attack. Investors in Man United’s rearguard will draw encouragement from the fact that Louis van Gaal’s troops rank top for home clean sheets (10) and are facing a Villains outfit that places second-bottom for away goals (11).
An out-of-form Everton unit welcome Southampton to Goodison Park. The Toffees ranked third-bottom for attempts (36) over their last four matches, scoring a solitary goal at the second-worst shot-conversion rate (2.8%). Saints will certainly fancy their chances of breaching Everton’s back line, given that Roberto Martinez’s troops place second for goals conceded (28) and bottom for clean sheets (two) in home clashes.
Newcastle strive for their first win in eight outings when Swansea City roll up at St James’ Park. The Magpies rank third for shot-conversion rate (12.1%) in home ties, yet only West Bromwich Albion have amassed fewer attempts (176 compared to 182) on their own turf. As for the Swans, they place joint-bottom for clean sheets in away match-ups (one), which bodes well for Newcastle’s attacking potential.
West Brom and Watford lock horns at The Hawthorns. The Baggies are in desperate need of an attacking spark, given that they chalked up two goals, the second-fewest attempts (35) and third-fewest shots inside the box (19) across their last four fixtures. With just two goals in six outings, the Hornets are also flattering to deceive in the final third, pointing towards an attritional affair in the West Midlands.
