This Much We Know – Gameweek 31

There’s plenty for us to ponder this Monday evening as we assess the lessons learned over the weekend’s ten fixtures. Riyad Mahrez and Harry Kane have the form to punish any potential sellers with one eye on the double Gameweeks, City’s malaise shows no signs of ending, Everton’s lack of consistency is a real concern, whilst Arsenal’s young wide man may have played his way into wildcard consideration.

Selling Mahrez could prove costly….
It’s 16 goals and 11 assists for the season now for Leicester’s wide man after he bagged the weekend winner at Palace. Although many are looking to bring in 15 players with a pair of fixtures in time for double Gameweek 24, can we really risk selling a player that’s averaged 7.2 points per game so far? With a trip to Sunderland in Gameweek 33 and home clash against Swansea in Gameweek 35 – at a time where six sides are without a fixture – Mahrez’ current form may well retain his place in our wildcard teams as the Foxes look to cement their spot at the summit.

…and Kane looks undroppable….
The Tottenham frontman is also stepping up his output as Mauricio Pochettino’s men remain in the race for the crown. Kane’s two goals and assist against Bournemouth helped him to a 16-point haul and, allied with a double at Villa, served up back-to-back double-figure returns for the first time this term. Granted, the fixtures are hardly straightforward (liv, MUN, sto, WBA, che) but Kane’s red-hot streak is clearly making many think twice over parting company.

Everton’s inconsistency remains an issue….
With nine matches still to play in the final seven Gameweeks, Everton’s home clash against Arsenal afforded us an early opportunity to scout their main men ahead of the double Gameweeks. The Toffees failed to convince, though – a 2-0 Goodison loss was the second time in three they’ve been unable to score in front of their own fans, whilst Roberto Martinez’ men have now failed to keep a clean sheet in each of the last four. Whilst Romelu Lukaku remains a key target for most, his team-mates are struggling to show they are worthy of our consideration.

Iwobi’s on the radar….
Handed a start against Barcelona in midweek, the youngster kept his place as Arsene Wenger’s side made their way to Goodison. Iwobi vindicated his manager’s decision by netting the second in a 2-0 win to strengthen his claim for a run of first-team outings from this point onwards. Priced at just 4.5 and listed as a midfielder, the teenager is bound to spark a bandwagon if he can hold off the challenge of Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell for double Gameweek 34.

The Hammers lone striker role remains up for grabs….
Rewarded for his goal and assist off the bench at Everton with a first start since Gameweek 14, Diafra Sakho was unable to take his chance in West Ham’s stalemate at Stamford Bridge. Just one minute after replacing the Senegal striker, Andy Carroll was amongst the goals as Slaven Bilic’s “Plan B” immediately reaped reward against the champions. Although the Hammers’ assets will surely play a part in our wildcards as a result of their pair of doubles, the competition for minutes up front looks set to steer our attentions away from their strikers.

The Canaries are building momentum….
It’s back-to-back clean sheets for Alex Neil’s men, with a 1-0 win at West Brom helping them clamber two points clear of the drop zone. Norwich’s triumph over Tony Pulis’ men came without the likes of Nathan Redmond and Steven Naismith, with a 4-4-2 set-up proving decisive at the Hawthorns. With three vital fixtures to follow (NEW, cpl, SUN) and a double in Gameweek 35 (MUN, WAT), the Carrow Road club may yet prove an unlikely source of Fantasy returns as they look to save their top-flight status.

Mitrovic could be Rafa’s main man….
The Serbian has now started both matches since the appointment of Rafa Benitez and fired a precious equaliser at home to Sunderland to salvage a derby draw. Analysing the numbers, Mitrovic clearly looks key to their survival bid – he sits second amongst forwards for touches in the box and joint-top for efforts in the opposition box in the last two Gameweeks. Having also found the net against the likes of United, City and Spurs, the 6.2-priced striker may well prove a canny differential for those willing to gamble with their three-man frontlines.

The Saints still have plenty to play for….
A stunning 3-2 comeback win over Liverpool took the St Mary’s side to just four points off fourth spot yesterday. Granted, their lack of a double Gameweeks will ensure than few, if any, will be tempted by weekend scorers Graziano Pelle (three goals and two assists in two Gameweeks) or Sadio Mane but with their dreams of Champions League football still very much alive, the Saints clearly have the form to play a part in the run-in. Those holding Leicester defenders will be hoping the Foxes can curtail Koeman’s charges as they head to the King Power next time out.

Our Liverpool options are on the up….
With Roberto Firmino sidelined through a hamstring injury, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge served a timely reminder of their capabilities by bagging a goal apiece at Southampton. Although Firmino remains the standout option for many ahead of Liverpool’s two doubles, yesterday’s teamsheet – where Coutinho and Sturridge started for the second time in three days – also suggests that rotation may not be quite as rife as we anticipated over the run-in. With Adam Lallana now sitting on three goals and as many assists in his last six league outings, the case for looking beyond Firmino is gathering pace.

Pep’s arrival can’t come soon enough for City….
A 1-0 home reverse to United means that the Etihad side have won just three of 11 matches in all competitions since confirming the Spaniard’s summer arrival. In terms of league outings, City have played seven times and scored more than a single goal on one occasion over that period – a 4-0 thrashing of basement-dwellers Villa in Gameweek 29. With Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling adding to Manuel Pellegrini’s injury concerns, City’s worrying lack of form may well see many opt against loading up on their main men ahead of the double.

United’s defence may be the way to go….
Whilst Marcus Rashford hogged the headlines with a derby winner over City, United’s lack of impact in the final third – two goals in the last three Gameweeks – allied with the imminent return of Wayne Rooney, dents the youngster’s Fantasy prospects. Instead, yesterday’s 1-0 win earned the Red Devils a fourteenth clean sheet of the season and strengthened the case for considering their defenders in our wildcard plans. With back-to-back home clashes against Villa and Palace in Gameweek 34, the appeal of Chris Smalling and David de Gea is gaining momentum after another resilient rearguard display.