Saturday’s six matches get under way with five three o’clock kick-offs before Newcastle host West Brom in the North East this evening. While Arsenal and Everton are the only true rich sources of Fantasy talent on show, the teamsheets certainly give a few of us something to consider as we head into the hectic December schedule.
We start the team news at Goodison, where there’s a couple of surprises in the Everton lineup as both Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas drop to the bench – perhaps with the midweek trip to Old Trafford in mind. Both were impressive in the 3-3 draw with Liverpool last time out but warm the timber this time around as Leon Osman is recalled and Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu is given his first Premier League start. At the back, Bryan Oviedo replaces the injured Leighton Baines. Visitors Stoke are forced into a pair of changes with Robert Huth and Marko Arnautovic both absent through injury. Oussama Assaidi returns to the starting XI, while Marc Muniesa is given his first league start for the Potters.
Paul Lambert brings Antonio Luna, Gabby Agbonlahor, Andreas Weimann and Fabian Delph back into his Villa lineup to face Sunderland following their role in the Hawthorns comeback. Nathan Baker, Yacouba Sylla, Libor Kozak and Aleks Tonev make way. Gus Poyet also makes three changes to the Sunderland teamsheet, as in come Craig Gardner, Fabio Borini and Andrea Dossena with Jack Colback, Adam Johnson and Ondrej Celustka dropping to the bench.
Sam Allardyce makes no less than four changes to his West Ham lineup to face Fulham, with one of them of great significance. Ravel Morrison drops to the bench having started the last nine Premier League matches; Joe Cole also makes way, along with Joey O’Brien and Jack Collison. The Hammers start with George McCartney, Mohamed Diame, Modibo Maiga and Matt Jarvis. As for Fulham, they are without the injury Dimitar Berbatov, so Adel Taarabt is handed a rare start for Martin Jol’s side. Damien Duff and Steve Sidwell also return as Bryan Ruiz and Derek Boateng miss out.
Arsene Wenger has the luxury of selecting an unchanged side for the trip to Cardiff as Theo Walcott is again kept in reserve. The home side make just a single change with Kim Bo-Kyung given the nod over Peter Odemwingie.
Finally, at Carrow Road, Chris Hughton makes three changes to his Norwich lineup as in come Johan Elmander, Wes Hoolahan and Seb Bassong. Anthony Pilkington misses out through injury, Bradley Johnson and Michael Turner drop to the bench. Tony Pulis makes two changes for his first match in charge of Palace as Jason Puncheon comes in for the suspended Yannick Bolasie. Cameron Jerome is preferred to Dwight Gayle up front.
Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open and will be with you throughout today’s matches, right through to the final whistle at St James’ Park.
