The Digest – Gameweek 32

Palace’s in-form midfielder, Leicester’s emphasis on attack and Harry Kane’s dramatic drop-off in form are all amongst our lunchtime topics as we take a final look back at Gameweek 32.

The Player

Handed a new central role behind Glenn Murray for Palace’s trip to Sunderland, Yannick Bolasie ran riot in a 4-1 victory. So often a source of frustration for Fantasy managers, the DR Congo international took full advantage of an obliging Black Cats rearguard by serving up an extraordinary 24-point return, courtesy of three goals, an assist and maximum bonus points.

The weekend display was the third time in four matches that Bolasie has delivered points. With three goals and four assists, he’s played a part in seven of his side’s last 11 strikes – over that period, Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha have contributed to one and three goals respectively, with Bolasie now emerging as the man most likely in the Palace midfield.

At a time where many of their mid-table rivals have eased up, Alan Pardew’s side are tearing into opposition defences and have now won each of their last four. Whilst Glenn Murray continues to run riot up front, the upcoming doubles perhaps serve as a deterrent for many, with places in our three-man frontlines at a premium. Bolasie, meanwhile, has already been snapped up by over 55,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers since Saturday’s heroics and, at a price of just 5.5, looks poised for further points hauls as the in-form Eagles look to take advantage of back-to-back home clashes against West Brom and Hull in the next two Gameweeks.

The Team

After embarking on a seven-match run that harvested a mere four goals and two points between Gameweek 22-29, it seemed only a matter of time before Leicester fell through the relegation trap door.

The past three outings, however, have changed all that. Nigel Pearson’s side have resurrected their survival bid in stunning form – netting eight times over that period, they’ve served up back-to-back wins for the first time since Gameweek 6 and are now just three points from safety with a match in hand.

With a double Gameweek 34 to factor in, Fantasy managers are understandably eyeing up Leicester’s main men with renewed interest. Jamie Vardy’s two goals and pair of assists over the previous three brings him onto the radar at just 4.5, David Nugent has delivered a brace and assist, whilst Esteban Cambiasso’s goal and assist brings him into contention at a time where Riyad Mahrez seems to have tumbled down the pecking order.

Whilst clean sheets may be hard to come by, Pearson’s defenders are offering plenty of close-range threat, too. Robert Huth’s goal at the weekend was no fluke – since being installed to the XI in Gameweek 25, the big German has managed eight efforts inside the box, second only to Scott Dann’s nine amongst defenders. Over that same time frame, Jeffrey Schlupp (seven) and Wes Morgan (six) are amongst the top seven defenders for close-range attempts.

Crucially for the Foxes, they now face five home matches in the final six rounds of fixtures and also have trips to fellow strugglers Burnley and Sunderland. With their options increasing across the pitch, Pearson’s willingness to take risks and go on the offensive is starting to reap reward for those willing to invest.

The Talking Point

What to do with Harry Kane, then? It’s three blanks in four for the Tottenham striker after a hugely underwhelming display at home to Villa and, having also failed to breach Burnley’s backline in the previous Gameweek, his claim as an automatic captaincy contender in any given round of fixtures looks over.

Tottenham’s motivation is a major issue here. With their Champions League bid extinguished, Mauricio Pochettino’s side seem more focused on their summer holidays. Worryingly for the Argentine, it’s not just Kane who is lacking in form – no Spurs player has managed to score in three of those four matches. Bearing in mind that Tottenham had scored at least twice in 11 of their 13 matches leading up to the Gameweek 29 trip to Old Trafford, the drop off has been remarkable.

As we mull over our options for double Gameweek 34, though, Kane, for some, may be afforded a stay of execution by default. Loic Remy looked the obvious option in Diego Costa’s absence but, having joined his team-mate on the sidelines, seems very unlikely to start twice, even if fully recovered. Daniel Sturridge’s latest injury setback means many will be eyeing up the Liverpool midfield as a source of attacking returns instead.

With Sergio Aguero back in the goals ahead of three home matches in four, and with City desperate to nail down a Champions League slot, some are starting to feel that Kane – in spite of his price – is now a dispensable option in our three-man frontlines. Given that the likes of Murray, Vardy and Christian Benteke (once his blank has passed) all offer relatively budget-friendly, in-form alternatives, and with a double Gameweek 37 for Arsenal also to factor in, our patience with Kane is wearing thin.

With an ownership in excess of 50% in the FPL game, though, parting company with Kane (who has Southampton and City in the next three) would have major repercussions should be reignite and finish the season with a flourish. Dare we risk it?