This Much We Know – Gameweek 26

Our attentions turn to the weekend’s 10 matches now as we look for any pertinent lessons learned. Sunderland and West Ham’s playmakers produce the goods, Liverpool’s attack may need reassessing as the injuries ease, whilst Chelsea and Tottenham’s form men strengthen their differential appeal by picking up the points once again.

The cat is out of the bag with Khazri…
After earning both assists in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool, Sunderland’s new playmaker needed just two minutes in his first home start to get amongst the goals in a vital win over United. Khazri’s set-piece prowess also led to the Black Cats’ second as Big Sam’s side moved to just a single point from safety last weekend. With their momentum on the up, the 6.0-priced Tunisian already looks the catalyst as Sunderland attempt to pull off yet another great escape.

Everton’s inconsistency will prompt a Lukaku exodus…
It’s one goal in seven now for the big Belgian after the Toffees failed to find a way past a West Brom defence that rolled up to Goodison with just two clean sheets in 15. Certainly, Roberto Martinez’ men can’t be faulted for trying – they fired 33 efforts without success against the Baggies but with a blank Gameweek 27 looming large, it’s no real surprise to see that Lukaku has earned over 40,000 transfers out – almost double the number of any forward. A trip to Villa in Gameweek 28 may be tempting but the move to Jamie Vardy is becoming obvious, given the Foxes’ upcoming fixtures.

Payet’s end product is worth the wait…
The West Ham playmaker served a reminder of his Fantasy talents in a 2-2 comeback draw at Norwich. Payet’s output had been underwhelming since returning from injury – with five blanks in six prior to Carrow Road – but a 13-point haul, courtesy of a goal, assist and maximum bonus, took his average to 5.7 points per game – fourth amongst midfielders and on a par with the likes of Sergio Aguero. The cut-price Michail Antonio has offered value for money as a Hammers alternative but with Manuel Lanzini edging towards a comeback and Victor Moses also in contention, Payet remains the Hammers’ jewel in the crown.

Despite Costa’s form, it’s a case of just Willian…
A goal and assist in Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle continued the Chelsea striker’s fine recent showings. It’s seven goals and three assists in eight appearances under Guus Hiddink now for Costa, who, despite moving to just six points behind Sergio Aguero, remains in just 7% of Fantasy Premier League sides. With Aguero and Harry Kane nailed on for many, and with Jamie Vardy looking the obvious replacement for Romelu Lukaku, Costa’s propensity for picking up injuries and suspensions seems set to keep him off most Fantasy managers’ radars. Meanwhile, the 7.0-priced Willian moved to a single point behind the Hammers’ Payet after bagging his third double-figure haul since the departure of Jose Mourinho and continues to offer an excellent Blues alternative in the centre of the park.

Targett is back in the frame…
Having recovered from injury, the Southampton youngster was immediately reinstalled to the starting XI for the trip to Swansea. Despite netting the winner against West Ham, Maya Yoshida dropped back down to the bench as Targett returned to left wing-back in a 3-5-2, with Ronald Koeman preferring Ryan Bertrand in the back-three. After helping his side to a sixth straight clean sheet, the 3.9-priced Targett – who has now produced 35 points in his last four starts – looks back on the radar as a route into the league’s in-form defence.

Ranieri will sacrifice Mahrez flair…
Whilst Jamie Vardy benefitted from his role as Leicester’s new number one spot-kick taker, the Algerian’s owners were left with no more than a one-point haul after he was subbed off just before the hour-mark at the Emirates. For the second successive Gameweek, Mahrez was withdrawn early as Claudio Ranieri looked to tighten up defensively and protect a lead – this time as a result of Danny Simpson’s dismissal just minutes into the second half. As alluded to in last week’s Say What article, although Mahrez remains one of the first names on Ranieri’s team sheet, his minutes may well be somewhat restricted late on in matches depending on the circumstances in any given Gameweek.

We’re still unsure on Mertesacker….
A minor injury to Gabriel saw the German return to Arsene Wenger’s first XI for yesterday’s home clash with Leicester. Mertesacker had started 13 straight league outings before being sent off early on against Chelsea in Gameweek 24 and, in his absence, Gabriel certainly took his chance, helping the Gunners to successive clean sheets against Southampton and Bournemouth to suggest he could be a bargain buy at 4.3. One look at Arsenal’s remaining home matches (SWA, WBA, WAT, CPL, NOR, AVL) indicates that investment in their rearguard could reap reward, though for now, there still seems too much uncertainty over Laurent Koscielny’s central defensive partner to take the plunge.

Wenger’s attacking options might just be the title clincher…
Arsenal’s strength in depth paid off decisively against Leicester after subs Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck emerged from the bench to grab a goal apiece in the 2-1 comeback win. Whilst that’s good news for the Gunners’ title hopes, it merely adds to Wenger’s options in the final third – both are able to play out wide or up top and are starting to threaten Olivier Giroud’s security of starts, given that the Frenchman has netted in just one of his last seven. With Alexis Sanchez still firing blanks, the appeal of Mesut Ozil was again underlined by his last-minute assist for Welbeck’s winner – the German has played a part in 53.8% of his side’s goals when on the pitch this season, more than any midfielder in the top flight.

Sturridge and Coutinho could put Firmino back in his box….
With the Anfield treatment room finally emptying, the summer signing’s Fantasy potential took a turn for the worse despite a 6-0 rout over Villa. Moved away from his “false nine” berth as Jurgen Klopp shifted to 4-2-3-1 to accommodate Daniel Sturridge up top, Firmino’s single assist was overshadowed by a trio of assists from Philippe Coutinho at Villa Park. Given that he scored or assisted seven of his side’s previous 10 league goals, yesterday’s downturn in output suggests the summer signing may struggle to remain the best route into Jurgen Klopp’s attack.

Alli is distracting us from Eriksen’s appeal….
The Tottenham playmaker continues to remain under the radar as a result of Deli Alli’s far kinder price tag. At 8.5 to the youngster’s 6.0, Eriksen has been largely overlooked in what is turning out to be his most influential season at the Lane – yesterday’s winner at the Etihad helped him serve up a third double-figure haul in the last five Gameweeks. Both Alli and Eriksen have been in involved in 31% of Spurs’ goals when on the pitch, indicating that if price is no object, the Dane may well be worth the extra outlay.

Villa are barely playing for pride…
Steamrollered by Liverpool in a dire home display and with their only form player sparking a twitter storm and angering fans on the back of that 6-0 rout, Villa look down and out. With their morale on the downturn, Remi Garde’s side – who now find themselves eight points adrift of safety – are in danger of becoming whipping boys in any given Gameweek, with a trip to Stoke looking tailor-made for the Potters to take advantage.