This Much We Know – Gameweek 12

With Southampton’s trip to Villa set to play out the Gameweek later this evening, we cast an eye over the lessons learned from the nine weekend fixtures. Chelsea’s flourishing midfield, the Swans’ prolific frontman, Tottenham’s Danish maestro and the form of budget strikers are all amongst this lunchtime’s menu.

There’s no room for benchwarmers…
The fall-out from the third international break of the season hit Fantasy managers hard this week. With a number of popular picks rested and rotated, our benches have been tested to the limit and it’s clear there’s little room for passengers in our 15-man squads – with the festive schedule picking up pace from next weekend, ensuring we have viable fall-back options already looks crucial.

We need a Chelsea midfielder…
The classy Blues trio of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Oscar just continue to deliver. Whilst the latter pair are effective, Hazard goes on suggesting that he’s capable of explosive returns – his 11-point display against the Baggies was a third successive double-figure haul in front of his own fans. Despite notching his eleventh of the season, Diego Costa managed just six points by comparison – a lack of bonus points again underlined how he is struggling to get amongst the BPS around Chelsea’s pass masters.

Bony continues to be fixture proof…
As we saw last year, the Swansea frontman has a penchant for playing against allegedly tougher opponents – eight of his 17 strikes arrived against sides in the top eight. Bony’s opener against City took his tally to five goals in the last six now and with four home fixtures in the next six, he’s arrived on our radars. With so much budget striking talent around, though, can we justify his inclusion? Certainly, those who do opt for the Ivorian will have one eye on the African Cup of Nations – he could, potentially, be out of the domestic picture for as many as five Gameweeks depending on his nation’s progress in the New Year.

Welbeck’s had his chance…
Olivier Giroud’s immediate impact off the bench against United looks ominous for the Gunners’ summer signing, who continues to toil in the top-flight. After netting twice in nine appearances through the middle, Welbeck has simply failed to supply the cutting edge required and with Arsene Wenger once again talking up his versatility at the weekend, there’s every chance he could be shifted out to the flank as his manager turns to Giroud to help get Arsenal’s season back on track.

Ings’ goals can keep Burnley afloat…
After a slow start to life in the top-flight, the Clarets frontman looks to have finally found his form. Ings’ brace at the Britannia helped lift his side off the bottom and also brings him into contention for our three-man frontlines. At 5.7, he’s now cheaper than Charlie Austin and very much locked in a head-to-head with the R’s man over the coming Gameweeks when it comes to our choice of budget striker. With three home matches and a trip to Loftus Road in the next four, Ings certainly has the schedule to justify the investment.

Rooney will find a way to fetch returns…
Despite being stationed behind the forwards by Louis van Gaal this season, the United skipper still seems to find a way to get amongst the points. Intriguingly, the Red Devils boss finished Saturday’s match against Arsenal with Rooney and Angel di Maria as his front two and, as evidenced by the visitors’ second, their plan to hit their hosts on the counter worked perfectly. With Robin van Persie faltering and Falcao working his way back to full fitness, Rooney looks the only alternative to the popular Argentine for United’s forthcoming back-to-back Old Trafford encounters.

Bolasie is a growing force…
In just 12 Gameweeks under Neil Warnock, the Palace wide man has already surpassed his attacking output from the previous campaign. Despite returning late and leggy from international duties, Bolasie tore apart the Liverpool back four yesterday and is going from strength as Palace’s main focus in attack this time around. While Warnock rotates on the right and up front, Bolasie has been a constant for the Eagles and, at 5.4, has to be considered with a lack of consistent sub 6.0 midfielders available.

We can’t rule out the Kane option…
Handed a second successive league start at the KC Stadium, the youngster vindicated his manager’s decision by netting his eleventh goal in 16 appearances across all competitions this term. It’d be bliss to consider the 4.8 striker as a nailed-on alternative up front and although he’s not quite at that level, it would be a major surprise if he makes way for Emmanuel Adebayor against Everton next weekend. Spurs may be stuttering but, arguably, they still have the quality to ensure that Kane can provide us value. Compared to Ings and Austin, however, he is a gamble – while he’s prominent at set-plays, he doesn’t have spot kick duties and is far from assured starts for the midweek Gameweek 14, let alone the busy Christmas period.

Eriksen won’t go away…
Subbed off at the break in the previous two Gameweeks, the Tottenham midfielder benefitted from a raft of injuries to serve up a goal and assist at Hull yesterday. There’s no doubt that Eriksen is a frustrating Fantasy asset and, to a certain extent, represents a gamble. However, when given the pitch time, he’s more than capable of delivering the goods – as we saw last season, his turnaround under the guidance of Tim Sherwood offered Fantasy managers a mid-price midfielder capable of slugging it out with the heavy hitters. Now down to 7.8, we can only hope his display on Humberside has convinced Mauricio Pochettino enough to earn another start, allowing him to potentially play his way back into our Fantasy plans.