The first of two Sunday fixtures gets underway at 1.30pm as Bournemouth and Southampton go head-to-head in the south coast derby.
Eddie Howe’s side seek a fourth clean sheet in five attempts, having kept out Newcastle, Huddersfield and Swansea in recent weeks.
That upturn in resilience bodes well for Fantasy Premier League owners of Charlie Daniels, who is the most owned player (13%) on show from today’s early kick-off.
Handed a place in our Gameweek 15 Scout Picks, the left-back was acquired by almost 40,000 new owners for this weekend. Five of his last seven league goals have been scored at the Vitality Stadium.
Up top, Callum Wilson is denied a fifth straight start, however, dropping to the bench as Howe shuffles his options and calls upon Jermain Defoe to lead the line.
For the Saints, Charlie Austin returns to the visitors’ XI after netting twice in his first start under Mauricio Pellegrino in last Sunday’s 4-1 win over Everton.
Utilised as a sub away to Man City in midweek, Austin’s upcoming schedule suggests he faces a tough task to play a part in our festive plans.
The Saints are braced for a testing winter period, with clashes against Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Man United in the next six rounds of fixtures.
And the same can be said for their hosts. After next weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace, Bournemouth square up against Man United, Liverpool and Man City in successive Gameweeks.
