An eventful Saturday piles on the dilemmas for Fantasy managers as Wayne Rooney sees red and Aaron Ramsey suffers an injury. Elsewhere, Southampton’s protagonists offer convincing solutions, while City’s attack warms up for an improved run of fixtures by hitting four at the KC Stadium. Here are the key points from Saturday’s action…
United’s Tri-force shattered by Rooney red
Initially, it was all looking rosy for United – Wayne Rooney’s opening strike against West Ham meant that he has now scored seven goals in his last five Premier League games at Old Trafford, whilst the home team’s second came courtesy of a link up between United’s other heavy-hitting strikers, with Radamel Falcao slipping in Robin van Persie to score. However, a rush of blood to the head midway through the second half from Rooney saw the United captain given his marching orders, leaving Louis van Gaal’s men to cling on to their 2-1 lead for the remainder of the 90 minutes. Rooney will now miss three crucial league matches (EVE, wba, CHE) which will surely result in a mass exodus, with his 32% ownership in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and his 10.4 price tag set to diminish. Juan Mata should, resultantly, be brought back into the United frame for the duration of Rooney’s suspension, making the 8.7-priced Spaniard an intriguing short-term differential in United’s thriving attack. His return to the United team sheet could present an option for those shipping the crocked Aaron Ramsey. Elsehwere, Van Gaal will need to assess Ander Herrera ahead of next weekend’s clash with Everton; he was forced off with a back injury on 73 minutes.
Goal-a-game Sakho Delivers for Hammers
Having been awarded a debut goal by the dubious goals panel, the Senegal striker has now delivered a goal in every one of his league starts after yesterday’s headed strike against United. Whilst Enner Valencia is continuing to find his feet at Upton Park, and Mauro Zarate has dropped out of the first-team picture in recent weeks, the 5.5-priced Diafra Sakho is going from strength to strength, offering a viable alternative to Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa in the budget forward bracket. With QPR and Burnley up next for the Hammers, Sakho’s 0.3% ownership looks set to be boosted significantly before the Gameweek 7 deadline.
Liverpool Still Struggling for Cutting Edge
It’s now just two goals in their last three league outings for Brendan Rodgers’ side after yesterday’s 1-1 draw with neighbours Everton. Star striker Daniel Sturridge failed to recover from a thigh injury to make his return, leaving Steven Gerrard to earn his team a point with a characteristically precise free kick. Nonetheless, despite their current form, the Merseyside outfit have very kind fixtures to follow (WBA, qpr, HUL), which will be encouraging for owners of Raheem Sterling who will surely be holding the England starlet. In addition, should Sturridge be fit for next week’s clash with the Baggies, the England forward could be a ready-made Rooney replacement for those willing to take a punt on the 11.3-priced man. Sturridge is capable of turning Liverpool’s fortunes around, although Fantasy managers would be wise to show caution given their current struggles to find goals and fluidity.
Pelle Goes On Convincing
The Saints’ victory over QPR saw Graziano Pelle grab his fourth goal of the season and maximum bonus points in a week that has witnessed huge Fantasy interest in the Italian. Pelle’s winner, courtesy of an assist from the impressive Dusan Tadic, will surely guarantee that interest continues to grow – 31,000 FPL managers drafted in the Saints striker overnight. Rooney’s suspension will likely compound that trend, while Southampton’s outstanding form, with home encounters against Sunderland, Stoke and Leicester to come in their next five, suggests that Pelle’s returns will flow. It was also Ryan Bertrand’s turn to deliver – the left-back notched his first goal for Ronald Koeman’s side since his summer move from Chelsea, justifying his selection ahead of Nathaniel Clyne in our Scout Picks and Watchlist.
City Strikers off the leash
Edin Dzeko got off the mark for the campaign in yesterday’s 4-2 victory over Hull City with a brace to give those shopping for a Rooney replacement food for thought. Sergio Aguero will continue to be the big attraction, however, after firing his fourth league goal despite having made just four starts so far this term. With the fixtures looking good for Manuel Pellegrini’s side (avl, TOT, whm, MNU, apr) investment in the Argentine looks set to pick up in the light of Rooney’s ban. Potential suitors should remain wary of the Aguero’s propensity for niggling injuries, though, after the 12.1 priced forward appeared to limp off with twenty minutes remaining against the Tigers, to be replaced by the free-scoring Frank Lampard. Further City coverage may finally also be viable in midfield after David Silva raised his stock with his first attacking returns since Gameweek 1 in the form of two assists – a feat matched by Pablo Zabaleta, whose offensive output could yet make up for City’s current lack of solidity at the back.
Caballero Gets the Nod
Pellegrini decided to bench Joe Hart for the first time this season at the KC Stadium, meaning that summer signing, Willy Caballero, got the nod between the sticks. The switch could do nothing for City’s defensive form, however, with City still without a clean sheet since their opening weekend win against Newcastle. Not that that was the fault of Caballero – it was £32 million centre-back Eliaquim Mangala who was culpable against the Tigers, glancing a neat header into the back of his own net before a reckless challenge handed the hosts a penalty to bring them back into the game. Mangala’s shaky performance could yet offer Martin Demichelis a route back into City’s backline for next weekend’s trip to Aston Villa.
Fabregas on the Back Foot as Oscar Runs the Show
Cesc Fabregas’ owners were left pondering their options after the game at Stamford Bridge as the Spaniard was shifted to a deep-lying midfield role in the absence of Ramires. The effect on his threat was noticeable, as the 9.5-priced former Arsenal man managed just two touches inside Villa’s penalty area – Oscar, in comparison, totalled six touches in the box and took the plaudits in the “number 10” role. Indeed, whilst the Brazilian got on the score sheet, Fabregas failed to acquire attacking returns for the second consecutive Gameweek. Meanwhile, Eden Hazard continues to struggle to replicate his deadly form from his last campaign. The Belgian was eventually replaced after 68 minutes in yesterday’s encounter, leaving his 13.6% ownership twitching at the fact that Hazard has failed to register a single double-figure return to this point.
Monk Takes Bony Out of the Firing Line
Back from suspension after his red card against Southampton, most expected Wilfried Bony to be immediately reinstalled in Swansea’s starting XI. This wasn’t to be the case, however, as the Ivorian was kept on the bench until the 72nd minute of the game against Sunderland. It would be fair to say it’s been a miserable start to the season for Bony, who appears to be locked in a battle with Bafetimbi Gomis for a starting role. However, without a goal in their last two league outings, Monk may instead be tempted to start with both of his strikers in next week’s clash with Newcastle, which is a scenario which could prove detrimental to Gylfi Sigurdsson – the Icelandic playmaker is without attacking returns in his last three and could yet be forced to compete for a wide role in a 4-4-2.
Chadli Comes Good
It was a fourth goal in five starts for the Belgian yesterday evening, who continues to deliver value from the Spurs midfield. Nacer Chadli’s strike against Arsenal brings him level with Sigurdsson as the top scoring midfielder in FPL on 36 points – he would have ended the day as the top scorer had he avoided fetching a booking for his goal celebration. Spurs team-mates Erik Lamela and Crisitian Eriksen are now trailing behind Chadli with 22 points apiece, despite far loftier price tags. As we mentioned in our recent members article analysing Tottenham’s midfield options, it’s hard to justify looking beyond Chadli, with Eriksen’s form, in particular, disappointing. Meanwhile, it was all change in Mauricio Pochettini’s defence, with Eric Dier benched for the first time this season in favour of Kyle Naughton. Jan Vertonghen was also recalled alongside Younes Kaboul.
Sanchez Benched again
Last weekend’s shock relegation to the bench for Alexis Sanchez was dismissed by most as nothing more than Arsene Wenger resting his star acquisition. However, after Sanchez failed to start the north London derby, the Chilean’s ownership will likely be considering exit plans. Whilst Mesut Ozil was moved back on to the flank with Jack Wilshere preferred as the central attacking midfielder, there was no place for Sanchez in the starting line-up, leaving his owners in a real quandary. Indeed, with Theo Walcott set to make a long-awaited return from injury after the international break, the situation is set to become even cloudier.
Aaron Ramsey’s hamstring injury in yesterday’s draw will at least free one starting spot up for the next fixture – Wenger stated after the match that the Welshman, and fellow first-half injury victim Mikel Arteta, had “no chance” of recovering for the Gunners’ midweek European duties or next weekend’s Premier League clash with Chelsea. Both Sanchez’s security of starts and Ramsey’s injury, in the same weekend as Rooney’s red, will doubtless have many considering points hits and hovering over the Wildcard button as we approach Gameweek 7.
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