The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

Six Premier League matches keep the Gameweek rolling, as we follow on from Liverpool’s victory in the north-east. Both the title contenders are in action, with Chelsea hosting Newcastle at the Bridge and City making the trip to Goodison Park to take on an out-of-sorts Everton.

Fantasy managers will be firmly focused on those two venues, with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa sporting the armband for many this afternoon. The big news from the Chelsea teamsheet is that both Thibaut Courtois and Gary Cahill have been left on the bench following their rest in the FA Cup.

As for City, Manuel Pellegrini preserves both Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany on the bench at Everton, with Fantasy managers keen to see the former take to the pitch once again with the winter Wildcard either active or imminent.

Elsewhere, Danny Ings and Charlie Austin go head-to-head at Turf Moor, an encounter that sees a surprising return to action for the R’s Adel Taarabt.

Swansea will look to shackle the menace of Andy Carroll at the Liberty as they begin life without Wilfried Bony. Leiceseter host Villa in a clash that looks likely to be short on goalmouth thrills, while Tony Pulis begins his tenure at the Hawthorns as Hull City pay visit. It’s fair to say that Fantasy managers will be hoping for few goals and clean sheet returns from those ties.

The afternoon events then give way to a Selhurst Park battle, as Alan Pardew selects his first Palace XI in the league to take on Mauricio Pochettino’s vibrant Spurs outfit.