There are two more rounds of matches in Segment 1. Fantasy managers wonder what players might be rested in the crunch of games leading up to the January break.

Eight games are Saturday, two Sunday.

Saturday, December 29

Sunderland (5-7-7, 13th) - Tottenham (10-3-6, 4th): In-form Spurs comes off Gareth Bale's hat trick and Jermain Defoe's goal and a clean sheet-whipping of woeful Aston Villa; however, Bale's fantasy value went down 0.1! Clint Dempsey is 50-50. The Black Cats are fresh off a shock 1-0 result over Manchester City. Adam Johnson's goal against his former team will have him ready for more. Tottenham has 34 goals and should be getting more from Emmanuel Adebayor.

Aston Villa (4-6-9, 16th) - Wigan (4-3-12, 18th): This game will hardly be an advertisement for Premier League quality. Villa have surrendered 12 goals the last two games, 36 for the season. Wigan have leaked 35 goals and the teams have combined to score only 34 goals. Villa's Christian Benteke was strangely quiet against Spurs. Andreas Wiemann is out injured. Arouna Kone is the Latics main threat.

Fulham (5-6-8, 14th) - Swansea City (6-7-6, 9th): Dimitar Berbatov has broken his seven-match scoreless streak, but there is little to like about the Cottager’s fantasy prospects. Damien Duff is out injured but Bryan Ruiz got back in the lineup. Swansea's Michu will be assessed at gametime for an ankle injury.

Manchester United (15-1-4, 1st) - WBA (10-3-6. 6th): As good as MU is scoring (48 goals in 19 games), SAF needs a new supply of hair dryers since the Red Devils have given up 28 goals. Wayne Rooney (knee) is out injured for 2-3 weeks, but Robin van Persie continues to score and Chicarito got the game-winner against Newcastle on Boxing Day. The prospects of resting regulars appear slim since Ashley Young is hurt and Danny Welbeck has been ill. The Baggies are the surprise team of the season. Romelu Lukaku got a rare start and Chris Brunt scored in their latest win.

Norwich City (6-7-6, 11th) - Manchester City (11-6-2, 2nd): The Canaries are the quintessential mid-table team. Grant Holt, Robert Snodgrass, Anthony Pilkington and Wesley Hoolahan offer fantasy possibilities. Roberto Mancini blasted City players after their clean-sheet loss against Sunderland. Message to Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Yaya Toure: please report for duty.

Reading (1-7-11, 19th) - West Ham (6-5-7, 12th): The Royals drew with Swansea and face Big Sam’s rested team, which has been buoyed by the overturning of Carlton Cole’s three-match suspension.

Stoke City (6-10-3, 8th) - Southampton (4-4-10, 17th): Ryan Shawcross and Geoff Cameron are suspended. Kenwyne Jones has had two goals and an assist in three matches. Asmir Begovic is a good bet to get his 10th clean sheet. Adam Lallana is out injured for the Saints.

Arsenal (8-6-4, 7th) - Newcastle (5-5-9, 15th): The late game features rested Arsenal against the troubled Magpies who look to be without Jonas Gutierrez (knee) and Vurnon Anita (ankle). The Gunners have only given up 18 goals. Olivier Giroud has been out ill. Following his hat trick and then a quiet game against Wigan, Santi Cazorla will be looking to score and assist.

Sunday, December 30

Everton (8-9-2 5th) - Chelsea (10-5-3 3rd): Everton will be without Marouane Fellaini another week. The Blues have won both matches he has missed, getting goals from supporting players. Darron Gibson’s three-match ban was overturned. Tim Howard is still without a clean sheet. Chelsea’s David Luiz is a revelation in midfield and gets defender points. Rafa may rest some regulars, but he wants to keep his job. Eden Hazard should be back in the first XI. Juan Mata has three goals and an assist in his last four matches.

QPR (1-7-11 20th) - Liverpool (6-7-6 10th): This game features the punchless Rangers (only 16 goals) against underachieving Liverpool. Second-best fantasy striker Luis Suarez hurt his ankle against Stoke and faces a fitness test.

Captain suggestions for Gameweek 20: Bale, Defoe, Berbatov, van Persie, Aguero, Cazorla, Mata, Torres, Gerrard.

The final fantasy round of Segment 1 is New Year’s Day and January 2. I'll preview those games New Year’s Eve. Roster changes will be in order for those fantasy managers who have wisely conserved their transfers.

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