The Digest – Gameweek 16

Our final look back at Gameweek 16 assesses Tottenham’s in-form playmaker and United’s recent revival, whilst we also analyse the enforced tactical reshuffle at City, as Manuel Pellegrini prepares for the festive period with all three forwards looking likely to remain on the sidelines.

The Player

A goal and assist in Tottenham’s late win at the Liberty continued Christian Eriksen’s recent resurgence as a viable prospect for our five-man midfields. After spending the first few months in the shadow of team-mate Nacer Chadli, Eriksen’s class has prevailed and earned him third spot in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) midfield rankings.

It’s been a remarkable, and rapid, turnaround for Eriksen in recent weeks. Subbed off at the break in Gameweek 10 and 11, he looked to have dropped down the pecking order under Mauricio Pochettino but has since played every minute of the last five league outings. Over that period, he’s racked up three goals, two assists and nine bonus points – playing a part in five of his side’s six goals from Gameweek 12 onwards – with Pochettino’s decision to drop Chadli from the starting XI allowing the Dane the chance to cement his place as Spurs’ number one midfielder.

Eriksen’s returns mirror last season, where he managed just one assist in the first 15 Gameweeks under Andre Villas-Boas before finally finding his form after Tim Sherwood took the helm. It’s taken the Dane – and, indeed, Tottenham – some time to adjust to Pochettino’s high pressing tactics but the approach is finally starting to reap reward. Still priced at a very reasonable 8.1, Eriksen’s place at the heart of his side’s attacks now looks cemented and with Burnley, Leicester, Palace and Sunderland in the next six, his ascent up the Fantasy standing looks set to continue.

The Team

It’s six successive wins now for Man United after a 3-0 home victory over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. In a season blighted by injury and constant tactical tinkering, Louis van Gaal’s side have still managed to prevail and sit just eight points off the Premier League summit in third place.

Whilst talk of a title tilt looks a little off the mark, there’s no doubt Van Gaal’s side are on the up. David de Gea’s exploits between the sticks means United have conceded just three times in their six-match winning streak – all the more impressive given a lack of continuity in defence brought on by a seemingly never-ending injury crisis.

In midfield, Juan Mata has proven a more than able deputy in Angel di Maria’s absence, whilst Robin van Persie’s recent return to prominence has been perfectly timed – as Sergio Aguero owners look for a way out, the Dutchman has delivered three double-figure hauls in his last four to serve a reminder of his captaincy credentials. Despite being shuffled around Van Gaal’s XI from week-to-week, Wayne Rooney still managed to take his tally to three goals and an assist in the last four, as the Old Trafford outfit find their stride.

With no Capital One Cup or European exploits to concern them this season, United’s main men also look unlikely to succumb to rest and rotation – providing they can steer clear of injury, of course. Up next, showdowns with Villa, Newcastle, Spurs and Stoke over the next four affords Van Gaal’s regulars further chance to build momentum and force their way into our Fantasy plans.

The Talking Point

With Sergio Aguero sidelined for six weeks, our Fantasy faith in Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic had been all-too-briefly reignited as City travelled to Leicester last weekend. After the Montenegrin was ruled out of the Foxes clash, Dzeko looked in pole position to profit only to suffer a calf injury in the warm-up – leaving Manuel Pellegrini and Fantasy managers scrambling for answers.

City’s fixtures leading up to New Year’s Day (CPL, wba, BUR, SUN) scream out for investment. The champions carry outstanding form into this period, having won seven successive matches in all competitions, and finding a route into their attack could prove a prosperous move. Intriguingly, Pellegrini has afforded us a heads-up over his intentions, with Samir Nasri, David Silva and James Milner all set to be trialled as a false nine during training this week.

With Dzeko and Jovetic looking unlikely to recover in time, City’s midfield suddenly looks full of possibilities. Pellegrini’s comments certainly indicate Yaya Toure will remain in a deep-lying role and whilst his owners will be hoping for the usual dead-ball duties to keep him ticking over, Nasri and Silva offer plenty of competition in light of the weekend’s events. An advanced central role for Milner – priced at just 5.4 in FPL – would kick-start an almighty bandwagon if he can benefit from Pellegrini’s reshuffle, whilst at the back, a single goal conceded in four underlines their recent resilience and brings their backline onto our radars.

We may have been deprived of Aguero and, indeed, any able deputies up front for the champions, but Pellegrini’s shift of focus could still provide Fantasy managers with reason for festive cheer.