After a couple of games without a victory, Stoke City got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Charlton in midweek, and have another home game here against Hull.

Despite sitting 11th in the league table above all expectation, the Tigers have conceded 29 goals so far this season, which is more than any team, apart from rock bottom Sheffield Wednesday. They like to turn matches into basketball games, and thankfully so far that has worked well for them, as they have scored slightly more than they have let in, but in recent games, they have conceded two or more goals in their last four fixtures. 

The Potters are flying high in second spot, and are capable of punishing a leaky defence, as five goals against Bristol City and three against Oxford and Charlton show. Million Manhoef is the player I am siding with, he has three goal contributions in the last five games, and if fit is a guaranteed starter. He may be able to expose attacking left back Ryan Giles, who is not known for his defensive ability.

I can’t help but be pleased for Frank Lampard and his Coventry City side, who are currently steamrollering their way to the Championship title, 10 points clear at the top after just 17 games.

The Sky Blues have scored 47 goals in their 17 games, with 13 in their last five outings. They host a Charlton side who have lost their last three games 9-1 on aggregate, their previously solid defence crumbling at just the wrong time to be facing the leagues irresistible force.

There were a lot of choices here, but I have come down on the side of right winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who is capable of crafting moments of magic when cutting inside onto his left foot. He has four goal contributions in his last five games, and seven in 10 if you want to go back a little further. Charlton have been playing with wing backs, and often field a winger as left wing back, such as Tyreece Campbell or Onel Hernandez, who will not be able to cope against Sakamoto.

Bustling Brazilian Igor Thiago has been a breakout star of this Premier League season, with his nine goal haul only bettered by Erling Haaland. Four of those goals have come from the penalty spot, despite a late miss from 12 yards last weekend. The Bees have been awarded the most spot kicks in the top flight, whilst there opponents Burnley, have conceded the joint most.

Regardless of those penalty stats, Burnley are generally a team to oppose in any case, having kept just two clean sheets all season, both coming at Turf Moor against their fellow promoted sides. They are averaging three goals conceded per game on the road, whilst the Bees have scored two per game at the GTech Community Stadium. Thiago has scored half of Brentford’s goals this season, it would be a surprise if he isn't involved again here.

No prizes for originality here, but you cannot choose anyone but a player who has 15 goal contributions in 12 games so far this season. City come into this game after back-to-back defeats, albeit with a heavily rotated 11 in the Champions League, but still, a side you would expect to be able to dismiss Leverkusen.

They host a Leeds side who are probably the perfect opponents, a side who have lost five of their six games away from Elland Road, conceding 15 goals in the process. They’re a team that will not put 11 men behind the ball either, which will suit City perfectly. They should be able to pick off Leeds as they look to come forward, and could run up a cricket score here.