There’s plenty to mull over once again this evening as we assess the Gameweek 22 head-to-heads. Sergio Aguero’s pitch time, Southampton’s prospects as the injuries mount, United’s display at Loftus Road and Palace’s progress under Alan Pardew are all amongst today’s topics.
Palace’s performance at Turf Moor..
Alan Pardew’s determination to go on the offensive saw the Eagles come back from behind to get the better of Spurs in his first home match in charge. The Eagles boss faces a tricky trip to Burnley as both sides look to scramble to safety and the two clubs have the short term fixtures to merit our interest – can Jason Puncheon and co. spark another victory or will the in-form Danny Ings strengthen his case for consideration and clip the Eagles’ momentum?
Aguero’s minutes at home to the Gunners…
Handed a 24-minute cameo off the bench upon his comeback from injury, the Argentine has been drafted in by over 114,000 Fantasy managers as wildcards are frantically wielded to accommodate him in our three-man forward lines. Last week’s draw at Goodison saw City fall two points behind Chelsea at the summit and with a trip to Stamford Bridge just around the corner, Manuel Pellegrini needs to get his title tilt back on track. With the FA Cup schedule pausing the league calendar next weekend, a start for Aguero this Sunday will surely see the bandwagon pick up pace over the upcoming fortnight as the champions look to replicate last year’s six-goal haul against the Gunners.
The Saints’ resilience as the injuries rack up…
A trio of back-to-back clashes against Chelsea, Arsenal and United looked a daunting task but Ronald Koeman’s side proved they were more than up to it. The Saints conceded just one goal and racked up seven points over those fixtures to underline their intentions for a top four finish but just as the schedule turns kinder, the St Mary’s side have been hit hard by injuries to key players. With Toby Alderweireld and Morgan Schneiderlin likely to be joined by Victor Wanyama on the sidelines, it remains to be seen whether Koeman’s men can replicate the resilience that has already harvested ten clean sheets – a trip to Newcastle should afford us a better idea.
United’s response against ‘Arry’s men…
The Red Devils’ ten-match league run was meekly surrendered at home to Southampton last weekend, after failing to register a single shot on target. With Robin van Persie likely to miss out, Louis van Gaal could turn to Angel di Maria, Wayne Rooney or Radamel Falcao to fill the breach up top and with three excellent home matches in the subsequent five (LEI, BUR, SUN), there’s hope amongst Fantasy managers that the Old Trafford outfit will be worth the investment. QPR are no pushovers in front of their own fans, though, and are unbeaten in seven at Loftus Road – Charlie Austin has been afforded more big chances (17) at home than any other player in the top-flight and has the form to heap more misery on the visitors.
Stoke’s form as the fixtures turn kind…
The weekend loss at Arsenal doesn’t do justice to the Potters’ recent form. Mark Hughes’ side had beaten the Gunners, Everton and West Brom in the previous six and had started to grow in confidence ahead of an encouraging schedule. With Victor Moses now fully fit, Bojan finding his form and Peter Crouch sure to trouble a Leicester defence that sits second worst for headed attempts conceded, we’ll be keeping an eye on the King Power Stadium as the Potters prepare for clashes with QPR, Newcastle, Villa and Hull in the subsequent five.
Tottenham’s home comforts against the Black Cats…
A 4-2 cup win over Burnley last night means Spurs have now scored nine times in their last two matches at the Lane – quite a turnaround, bearing in mind that had blanked in two of the three home league matches prior to the 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year’s Day. With their confidence arguably at a season-high, it’s no surprise to see Harry Kane dominate this week’s Captain Poll, though Mauricio Pochettino’s side may have a tougher task than many predict – Sunderland arrive as potential party-poopers, have chalked up a clean sheet in four of their last five away trips.
Bruce’s restructured attack at Upton Park…
With Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez sidelined for up to six weeks, Steve Bruce has a real dilemma on his hands as Hull make their way to West Ham. The Tigers boss could be forced to field Sone Aluko or Tom Ince up top to alleviate his problems against Big Sam’s side – given that both are classified as midfielders in the FPL game, it’s worth keeping an eye on his team sheet. With home showdowns against Newcastle, Villa and QPR in the following four, we could be handed a cut-price out of position prospect if the KC treatment room fails to empty.
Baines’ resurgence as the Baggies come calling…
Sold by over 90,000 FPL managers ahead of last week’s home clash with City, the Everton left-back served a reminder of his points potential by delivering a second assist in the last three Gameweeks. Baines is now up to eight assists for the season – putting that into perspective, only one other defender, Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat (five) has managed more than three so far. With his form on the rise again, the Toffees man now hosts a West Brom side on their first road trip under Tony Pulis – can the new Baggies boss curtail Baines’ ascent or will the Everton man earn himself a wildcard reprieve?
Siggy’s pitch time…
With Wilfried Bony’s move to City finally confirmed, Garry Monk will be more reliant than ever on his playmaker. The Swansea manager’s admission that Sigurdsson has been nursing a foot injury in recent weeks is hardly reassuring ahead of a home clash with Chelsea, given that the midfielder has managed 90 minutes just once in the last four. With Bafetimbi Gomis misfiring up front, Sigurdsson’s owners need a big performance as the fixtures turn against the Swans – a blank against the Blues and we may have second thoughts ahead of clashes with Southampton, Sunderland, West Brom and United’s defences in the following four.
