As always on a Monday afternoon, we cast our eye over the main talking points from the weekend’s round of fixtures. Sergio Aguero’s imperious form, Dele Alli’s value in midfield, Roberto Firmino’s improving displays and Charlie Austin’s instant impact for Southampton all find their way onto our lunchtime menu.
Aguero is already close to essential status…
A brace against West Ham continued the City striker’s fine recent form as he took his tally to five goals and an assist in the last four Gameweeks. Aguero was neck-and-neck in our Captain Poll with Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku over the last two rounds of fixtures but swept aside both their challenges, serving a clear reminder of his unparalleled capabilities to serve up explosive Fantasy hauls. In this sort of form, going without looks a reckless tactic – already, over 64,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have snapped him up since the weekend as City prepare for a trip to Sunderland next Tuesday evening.
…and Alli has timed his ascent to coincide…
The Tottenham midfielder continues to offer outstanding value across the Fantasy games, courtesy of a goal and assist away to Palace. With the maximum bonus also thrown in, Alli’s 13-point haul was his highest of the season and took his tally to six goals and as many assists – he’s now up to 99 points, just six off Kevin De Bruyne in the midfield standings. At a price of just 5.7, Alli looks the ready-made enabler for those looking to free up cash in the centre of the park in order to accommodate Aguero.
Payet’s brilliance promises points…
Although the Frenchman drew a third blank in four since returning from injury at home to City last Saturday, there’s no question that Payet’s return has improved the Hammers’ potential. Slaven Bilic’s side have scored 32 times in the 16 matches Payet has been involved in, compared to five goals in seven league outings without him. With Villa, Norwich and Sunderland in the next four, Payet’s star is surely on the rise, despite his failure to deliver against Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
We’re willing Koeman to retain his formation…
It’s three wins and as many clean sheets for Southampton after they emerged from Old Trafford with a 1-0 victory. Ronald Koeman’s decision to roll out a 3-5-2 in recent weeks has proved the catalyst for this turnaround as the Saints arrested a dire run of form. With the schedule turning in their favour from Gameweek 25, Koeman’s charges are edging back onto our radars again, with the 3.8-priced Matt Targett looking a ready-made enabler since being handed the left wing-back berth in Gameweek 21.
Austin hasn’t lost the knack…
Eased into action off the bench after a recent hamstring injury for QPR, the Saints’ new signing wasted no time in getting amongst the points. On as a sub for the ineffectual Sadio Mane, Austin needed just eight minutes to bag the winner, serving a timely reminder of the talent that scored 18 times for the relegated Hoops last season. At a price of 7.0 in FPL, he’s already thrown his hat into the ring as a mid-price option for our three-man frontlines.
Firmino’s flair is fitting in…
Two goals and an assist in Liverpool’s stunning 5-4 win at Norwich has sparked a major bandwagon for the Brazilian. With Christian Benteke back on the bench, Firmino looks to have established himself as Jurgen Klopp’s preferred central option in the Reds’ front three, with an 18-point Carrow Road return his third double-figure haul in 11 starts under the German. Over 80,000 FPL managers have been quick to acquire his services – more than any other player – ahead of a kind looking schedule from Gameweek 25 onwards.
Vardy and Mahrez aren’t done yet…
A 3-0 win over Stoke suggests that Leicester’s temporary blip could be behind them. Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have been subject to significant recent sales but both got amongst the points this weekend, courtesy of an assist and goal respectively. With Vardy edging back towards full fitness following recent groin surgery, the Foxes’ main men could continue to punish those former owners as Claudio Ranieri’s men look to strengthen their spot at the summit.
Van Aanholt needs defensive reinforcements…
The Sunderland left-back maintained his incredible attacking form by finding the net for the fourth successive Gameweek. Handed license to raid forward by Big Sam, Van Aanholt’s nine-point haul against Bournemouth means he has now averaged 5.3 points per appearance since the new manager was appointed – that’s despite the Black Cats’ failure to keep a single clean sheet since Gameweek 14. If Allardyce’s side can step up their resilience, Van Aanholt could become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Pulis will prioritise safety over goals….
Prior to the goalless draw against Villa, the Baggies boss reiterated that his sole concern is to reach the magic 40-point mark and ensure his side’s survival. Whilst they failed to get the better of their Midlands rivals, the 0-0 stalemate means that West Brom have conceded just once in their last three home matches and are now just 12 points from Pulis’ points target. As he looks to grind out the results in order to ensure safety, clean sheets could be on the cards once again.
Guidolin may just revive Ayew…
The Ghana international kicked off his career under Francesco Guidolin with a goal and assist away to Everton as the Swans chalked up a much-needed win on their travels. Put into perspective, Ayew had produced just a single away goal (at Villa in Gameweek 10) since the season opener at Chelsea, with the vast majority of his points arriving at the Liberty. Now up to joint-fourth in the midfield standings, he was fielded up front once again at Goodison as the new man in charge retained a midfield diamond, suggesting he could prove the main beneficiary of the Italian’s appointment.
Costa’s goals and fitness are back on the agenda…
The Chelsea striker once again proved the undoing of Arsenal by grabbing the only goal of yesterday’s head-to-head at the Emirates. It’s five strikes and two assists in just five league outings under Guus Hiddink for Costa, who seems to have belatedly rediscovered his attacking potential in what has been a thoroughly underwhelming second season in the Premier League. Once again, though, Costa’s propensity for picking up injuries saw him forced off on 67 minutes with a knee problem – for all his improvement, though, those knock and niggles, allied with his penchant for incurring the referee’s wrath, is likely to keep him on the Fantasy periphery.
