We assess the lessons learned from the weekend’s nine matches now, as Arsenal and City prepare to draw a line under Gameweek 17 at the Emirates later tonight. Chelsea’s raiding right-back makes an immediate impact upon Jose’s departure. Odion Ighalo and Riyad Mahrez continue to offer irresistible value for money, Jordan Ayew looks increasingly crucial to Villa’s survival bid, whilst Big Sam doesn’t have his troubles to seek at Sunderland.
Ivanovic may have just found his mojo…
In the first match of the second post-Jose Mourinho era, the Chelsea right-back belatedly reminded us of his potential in the final third. Ivanovic bagged four goals and six assists last season on his way to 179 points but, prior to the visit of Sunderland on Saturday, had failed to produce any attacking points as the Blues turned in a dire defence of their title. The Serbian’s raids down the right saw him serve up a 14-point haul against the Black Cats, courtesy of a goal and assist and maximum bonus, to suggest he yet has a part to play in our Fantasy plans.
…and Oscar looks a new player too…
With Eden Hazard sidelined through a hip injury, the Brazilian notched his first strike since the opening day of the season thanks to a second-half spot-kick. Oscar also carried Chelsea’s main goal threat against Big Sam’s outfit, firing five attempts on goal as the champions scored more than twice for just the second time this term. With the shackles unleashed, his 1% ownership could persuade some to take a punt if he can kick on from his weekend display under interim boss Guus Hiddink.
Ighalo is putting the Aguero gold rush on hold…
With a number of form forwards continuing to excel, the clamour to acquire a fit-again Sergio Aguero is far from fever pitch. Jamie Vardy, Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane all brought in the points, whilst Odion Ighalo topped the lot with a 13-point haul at home to Liverpool, thanks to a brace and maximum bonus. Although the consistent Vardy still leads the way for points per appearance (7.2), the Nigerian has now drawn level with Lukaku (6.8) after his weekend showing and, at a price of just 6.0, his level of value, when compared to the Argentine’s 13.0, is starting to make Sergio seem an unnecessary luxury.
Mahrez is the biggest FPL gift of all…
Just 17 Gameweeks into his first season under Claudio Ranieri, the Leicester wide man sits an incredible 45 points ahead of any other midfielder. A trip to Everton failed to slow Mahrez’ insatiable quest for Fantasy returns as he bagged a Goodison brace to bring home a ninth double-figure haul of the season. From a Fantasy perspective, we thought we’d been blessed with Harry Kane’s exploits last season but Mahrez is operating on a different level – having started this term at just 5.5, he still looks a bargain at just 7.0, and has now averaged 9.2 points per appearance since Ranieri took the King Power helm. Has there ever been a player to offer such value?
Mane’s failings aren’t for the want of trying…
Yet again, the Southampton midfielder was unable to get amongst the points as Ronald Koeman’s side continue to slide down the table. Frustratingly for Mane owners, the stats remain firmly on his side – he was joint-top amongst midfielders for shots (five) and led the way for efforts inside the opposition box (four). Although Mane has served up just a single assist in his last seven, he still leads the way for shots inside the box (17) amongst midfielders during that time period – by way of contrast, Mahrez has scored eight of his 15 close-range efforts over the same period.
Big Sam’s honeymoon may be over already…
Three wins and as many clean sheets in his first six league matches in charge suggested that Sam Allardyce would have no difficulty in steering Sunderland out of the relegation battle. After a trio of successive defeats, the Black Cats are now five points from safety, with their manager admitting he’s no closer to settling on a formation or favoured personnel. The recent absence of Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson in the centre of the park has proved pivotal and with the duo still stuck in the treatment room, the Wearsiders look up against it as they make their way to the Etihad on Boxing Day.
Ayew offers Villa a glimmer of hope…
If the Midlands outfit are to somehow retain their top-flight safety, it’s fair to say that their summer signing will be crucial. Ayew’s equaliser at St James’ means he has now scored four of Villa’s six goals over the last eight matches and, having started every fixture under new boss Remi Garde, he certainly looks a secure starter since the departure of Tim Sherwood. With some decent fixtures to follow, the Ghana international could be braced for a prosperous winter period.
Bilic is on the back foot…
After seeing his side thrashed 4-1 at Spurs in the first match without the injured Dimitri Payet, Slaven Bilic has since steered West Ham to a four-match unbeaten run. Devoid of his first-choice front four, the Croat has tightened up his tactics and instead turned to defence to prevent a slide down the table. The introduction of Alex Song, in particular, allied with a move to a three-man central midfield, has seen the Hammers rack up three successive clean sheets, though the downside means they’ve failed to find the net in each of those matches. With Payet and the likes of Manuel Lanzini edging closer to a return, though, Bilic will need to address the Hammers’ balance to kick start their attacking potential again.
Set Pieces are keeping Baggies defenders in the game…
Whilst a 2-1 home defeat by Bournemouth means that West Brom have now conceded in seven straight league matches, their defenders continue to benefit from dead-ball situations. Gareth McAuley’s goal against the Cherries was the fourth time this term that a Baggies backline option has netted from a set-piece situation, after he nodded home from a corner at the Hawthorns. With Craig Dawson notching his second of the campaign in the previous Gameweek, Tony Pulis’ defensive regulars remain in contention, despite the woeful lack of recent shut-outs.
