The Digest – Gameweek 34

Our final look back at Gameweek 34 sees us assess the return to form of Southampton’s lone striker. We also cast an eye over Hull’s back-to-back wins across the double and assess just how soon we should look to invest in the double Gameweek 37 sides.

The Player

Now boasting three goals in as many outings following his brace against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Graziano Pelle has banished a wretched 14-match streak in which he failed to register a single goal or assist. The Southampton marksman’s upturn in form has inevitably prompted an influx of investment, which sees him rank third with regards to transfers in this week, with over 22,000 new owners snapping up his services.

Pelle’s renewal of confidence arrives at an opportune time for Saints in light of Sadio Mane’s limited returns of late. The Senegalese winger has seven goals to his name this term but blanks in six successive Gameweeks has forced 41,000 managers to call time on Mane’s stay in their squads.

Ronald Koeman’s outfit now face off against three of the bottom five clubs (sun, lei, AVL) in the next three Gameweeks, before pitting their wits against Manchester City on the final day of the campaign. The threat of relegation should render Saints’ next three opponents stern competition, yet equally there will be gaps to exploit as they pursue all three points.

First up on the agenda is a visit to the Stadium of Light – which Pelle will no doubt relish having tallied 15 points (two goals, one assist, two bonus) in the reverse fixture. Moreover, the Blacks cats have shipped four goals in two of their last three home matches, with no team conceding more goals at home all season (26) than the Wearsiders.

The Team

In appreciation of their punishing run-in, many pundits and fans alike, in the build-up to Gameweek 34, tipped Hull City as prime candidates to succumb to relegation. Now four points clear of 18^th-placed Sunderland in the wake of back-to back victories, the Tigers are well placed to beat the drop.

Perhaps the most surprising takeaway from Hull’s double was the fact they recorded clean sheets in both fixtures, considering that only Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers (both six) had chalked up fewer shut-outs (seven) in the preceding 33 Gameweeks. The 10,000 Fantasy managers that recruited from the Tigers’ rearguard were rewarded for their foresight, with Michael Dawson (21), James Chester (13) and Paul McShane (12) gracing the FPL Dream Team by virtue of their impressive points hauls.

At the other end of the pitch, Dame N’Doye’s brace against Burnley afforded his 6,400 new owners the luxury of bragging rights, while the most heavily backed of Steve Bruce’s men, Ahmed Elmohamady, finished the round with a respectable 10 points, courtesy of an assist against Liverpool.

Allied with Leicester City’s recent revival, Hull’s resurgence serves to illuminate the oft-overlooked benefits of drafting in differentials from relegation-threatened sides in the final throes of the season. Facing the prospect of a less-illustrious and gruelling Championship campaign, struggling sides often play with a heightened intensity and fight that’s conducive to strong Fantasy returns.

Steve Bruce’s men are still in a precarious position by way of their tough schedule (ARS, BUR, tot, MUN) that includes matches against three of the top five. Nonetheless, Hull have demonstrated a capacity to spar with the big boys in recent weeks, recording a win over the Reds and narrowly missing out on a result against Chelsea – having attempted 19 shots at goal during that 3-2 defeat. Furthermore, Hull will fancy their chances in their remaining three home clashes, given that they’ve won three and drawn one of their last five encounters at the KC Stadium.

With free transfers at a premium in the lead up to the Arsenal/Sunderland double Gameweek 37, Hull assets are unlikely to attract further investment. That being said, those that already took the plunge may well elect to field their budget acquisitions in spite of the unfavourable fixtures.

The Talking Point

With double Gameweek 34 now finally behind us, our transfer plans immediately turn to the penultimate round of fixtures, which sees Arsenal and Sunderland play twice.

Despite last night’s loss to Chelsea, Leicester’s players are likely to keep their places in our squads as we plot our next trades – the remaining schedule hands Nigel Pearson’s side three home matches and a trip to Sunderland in the final four to seal their survival.

Liverpool, on the other hand, are another matter. In light of their diabolical display over the double, the Merseysiders are set for a major exodus as the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho are sacrificed for the Gunners midfield options.

Whilst transferring out our under-performing Reds would prove somewhat cathartic right now, their weekend home clash against QPR may afford the trio a brief stay in our starting line-ups.

Ironically, Hull’s defensive displays over the double may also persuade some to temporarily hold fire on the Liverpool to Arsenal switch. The Tigers’ pair of clean sheets suggest they’ve upped their resilience and with Arsene Wenger’s scoring just once in the previous two, waiting until Gameweek 36, when the Gunners host Swansea and Liverpool travel to Chelsea, may prove a more appealing tactic.

Chelsea’s win over Leicester last night brings us another type of headache altogether.

Providing they win against Palace on Sunday, Jose Mourinho’s side will have clinched the title with three matches to spare and the Blues boss may well decide to hand some squad players increased pitch time for the remainder of the run-in. It’s conceivable that Mourinho may now decide to court caution with Diego Costa’s fitness from this point onwards in order to ensure he’s fully fit for the start of next season. Those holding the likes of Cesc Fabregas following the double may also be contemplating a transfer out, whilst Eden Hazard owners will be looking for any possible signs of rotation given that the Belgian, along with John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, is the only player to start each of the 34 league fixtures to date.

Over at the Emirates, we can only hope that, with an FA Cup final on May 30, Arsene Wenger doesn’t feel the urge to freshen up his first-team from here on in. With the battle for second still very much on the line, we need the Gunners boss to keep faith in his big hitters in each of the last five in order for our best-laid plans to come to fruition.