This Much We Know – Gameweek 8

Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez serve a timely reminder of their world class talents. Kevin de Bruyne strengthens his claim as a must-have big hitter but Eden Hazard’s toils continue. Riyad Mahrez’ Fantasy potential could be curtailed by The Tinkerman, Christian Eriksen steps up his consistency, whilst Sadio Mane looks a major differential.

Class is permanent with Aguero and Sanchez…
After Alexis Sanchez set the tone with a hat-trick against Leicester last week, Sergio Aguero’s five-goal haul against Newcastle underlined why, in certain cases, it’s provident to be patient with big hitters. The duo banished their stuttering starts and have exploded into form simultaneously, scoring six goals apiece in the last week in all competitions. It’s been a long time coming but, finally, the South American pair look back to their blistering best – going without either of them now looks a very dangerous tactic.

…and De Bruyne deserves his big hitter status…
Three goal and two assists in a trio of league starts has underlined why City were prepared to splash the cash on the former Chelsea wide man. De Bruyne has played a part in five of City’s last eight goals, strengthening his claim as the leading contender amongst Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield. A double-up with Sanchez in the centre of the park is quickly becoming the preferred tactic for many, with the Belgian’s explosive potential looking increasingly difficult to ignore.

Chelsea’s toils aren’t helping Hazard…
Whilst Sanchez and Aguero finally translated their underlying numbers into points, the situation is a little different for Chelsea’s big hitter. Jose Mourinho’s side look alarmingly short of form and Hazard’s Fantasy potential has suffered significantly as a result, with the Belgian offering little evidence to suggest he can arrest his recent malaise. With Sanchez and De Bruyne key targets, Hazard looks surplus to requirement as we look to free up budget.

…whilst Pedro’s minutes need monitored…
The Spaniard’s owners were placed on high alert after he was omitted from the starting XI for the first time this term by Jose Mourinho. Replacement Willian vindicated his manager’s decision, though, by scoring for the third successive match in all competitions, with Pedro only handed minutes at the break due to the Brazilian’s withdrawal through illness. Now down to 9.3, Pedro is second only to Yaya Toure amongst midfielders for transfers out this week and with the international break now upon us, that exodus looks likely to pick up pace.

Sako’s star is fading fast…
Similar to Pedro, the Palace summer signing’s immediate impact has quickly died out, leaving him warming the Selhurst Park bench against West Brom last weekend. Alan Pardew’s decision to turn to last year’s attacking midfield trio, Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon, paid off as the Eagles soared into fourth spot. Back-to-back spot-kicks from Yohan Cabaye highlights the numerous options within the Selhurst Park midfield but Sako’s name may be struck from that list, if Saturday’s team sheet is anything to go by.

Ranieri’s tinkering could derail Mahrez’ season…
The Leicester manager reminded us just why he’s known as “The Tinkerman” by surprisingly dropping Riyad Mahrez to the bench for the trip to Norwich. Frustratingly for Fantasy managers, Ranieri’s decision paid off as the Foxes recovered from their Gameweek 7 home loss to Arsenal by defeating the Canaries at Carrow Road. Sitting in 54% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) sides, we may have to reconsider Mahrez if Ranieri feels he can get away with omitting the Algerian on occasion, with Jamie Vardy looking far more secure by comparison.

There’s no shortage of Wilson replacements…
As the Callum Wilson exodus picks up pace, a number of budget options threw their hat in the ring at the weekend. Glenn Murray scored once and missed a penalty on his first start in Wilson’s absence for Bournemouth, whilst Odion Ighalo continues to look like Watford’s only source of goals – the 5.3-priced frontman’s fifth of the season was accompanied by maximum bonus, taking him to fourth overall amongst strikers. With Aleksandar Mitrovic finding the net at City ahead of Newcastle’s kind upcoming schedule, there are still plenty of budget differentials to consider for those looking to free up cash.

Mane is starting to motor…
A goal and assist away to Chelsea highlighted the Southampton midfielder’s fixture-proof appeal as the schedule starts to turn in his favour. Whilst Graziano Pelle sits in 18% of FPL sides, Mane remains a real differential – just 6% of managers have taken the plunge on a player who has delivered two goals and five assists in his last four starts. The Saints have now put eight past Swansea, United and Chelsea in the previous three and with Dusan Tadic also in decent form, investment in the St Mary’s outfit looks top of many agendas.

A consistent Eriksen adds more to the midfield mix…
One goal in the final 15 Gameweeks of 2014/15 is indicative of how frustrating the Tottenham midfielder can be as a Fantasy asset. Sunday’s two-goal haul at Swansea, however, suggests Eriksen may be a little more reliable this time around – having recovered from injury, he’s now produced returns in four of his five league appearances so far. With four home clashes and a trip to Bournemouth in the next six, can the Dane justify that 8.3 price tag and barge his way into our five-man midfields?

Lukaku is tempting…
Despite a horrendous opening schedule, the Everton frontman sits third amongst strikers after racking up three goals and an assist against West Brom and Liverpool since last Monday. Whereas the likes of West Ham, Leicester, Southampton and Swansea have viable goal scoring alternatives in the centre of the park, Ross Barkley’s recent lack of form heightens Lukaku’s importance to the Toffees’ cause. Whilst the playmaker blanked for the fifth time in six league matches, the big Belgian is starting to pick up pace as the main Everton target ahead of their superb run of fixtures from Gameweek 11 onwards.

We shouldn’t write Ayew off…
Back in the goals against Spurs at the Liberty, the Ghana international rewarded his 20% owners by climbing into the top five midfielder placings. Ayew banished a three-match barren streak to notch for the third time in four home appearances as Garry Monk’s men finally rediscovered their scoring touch at a time when Bafetimbi Gomis’ toils continue. Although many who doubled-up on the Swansea pair are looking to part company with the misfiring Frenchman, Ayew, at 7.2, seems worth retaining for now.

Theo is looking undroppable …
It’s five straight starts in the league now for the England international, with Olivier Giroud once again consigned to a bench-warming berth. Tellingly, Walcott kept his place up top despite the fact that Giroud was suspended for midweek Champions League duties – dispelling the notion that Arsene Wenger would alternate on a regular basis. It’s two goals and three assists in the last three across all competitions now for Walcott, whose speed and movement up top have helped the Gunners score ten times over those fixtures – given his side’s outstanding form, Wenger will surely be very reluctant to change things for the Gameweek 9 visit to Watford.