In case you missed it, the Liverpool vs Spurs clash has now also been dropped into this current gameweek to add to the previously discussed Arsenal vs Bolton fixture. My estimations were off on this one – apparently when Harry Redknapp says “a couple of weeks” he meant only next Wednesday. Liverpool will now host Tottenham on January 20th.
While that game drops into our immediate thoughts, yesterday’s other fixture announcement has the West Ham vs Wolves game pencilled in for February 2nd – slotting it into gameweek 24. With so much to consider right now, we can shelve this one in our busy minds, particularly as the new date could change should Wolves face an FA Cup replay in the fourth round tie with Palace.
Don’t give that another thought. Let’s focus instead on Liverpool and Spurs who now present us with an invigorated menu of fantasy options to consider…
Liverpool now appear to be navigating themselves into a rather pleasing set of fixtures (stk, TOT, wlv, BOL, EVE), I count three reasonably favourable match-ups, one bonus game against Spurs and a Merseyside derby to close it out – not bad at all.
Blatantly it will be Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres that will be coveted by fantasy managers. Both come at a premium price though, which does give cause for at least some mild hesitation.
Torres seems to be showing no sign of the injury that required him to take a six week rest and rehabilitation period. While he hasn’t been firing on all cylinders as of yet, he demonstrated against the likes of Wigan and Villa that his keen eye for goal remains in focus. Having tested his injury through the hectic Christmas period, you can’t look much further than ‘Nando when it comes to goals, particularly at Anfield.
Like Torres, Gerrard hasn’t stood out since his return from injury. He too has shown glimpses of the talent that we know he has in abundance – and even in a worst case scenario, he continues to dominate set pieces and penalties. If you can find the funds down the back of your fantasy sofa, he appears to rival Fabregas and Arshavin for hefty midfield investment.
Dirk Kuyt is, as ever, available as a cheaper alternative to these two. His returns have mirrored Liverpool’s own form this season, and he has clearly missed the presence of a fit Torres and Gerrard alongside him. The season has returned five goals for Kuyt but significantly, only two in the last fourteen league starts. His Fantasy Premier League (FPL) price has dropped to 9.0 as a result and that might be enough to see some take the gamble on him as a differential over this double gameweek. Certainly the other midfield options look limited, with Benayoun still, inexplicably, uncertain of starts – particulary over two matches in four days.
The Liverpool defence has improved of late, returning four clean sheets in the last seven league games and conceding just five goals in that run. With Glen Johnson sidelined, it’s left to the likes of Agger and Insua to tempt us, with Carragher ruled out by his price tag and limited attacking prowess. Insua remains a gamble with Aurelio an option for Rafa, leaving Agger as possibly the best choice should you be considering defensive investment. Reina is of course the other alternative if you’re scratching round for a keeper.
As for Spurs, the fixtures start brilliantly, but then appear to stiffen fairly considerably (HUL, liv, FUL, bir, AVL). The gameweek first brings Harry’s boys a home banker against Hull (dare I say that after Stoke and Wolves defeats this season?) but then they come up against some far sturdier defences which will test the Spurs firepower.
Jermain Defoe remains integral to that firepower. He has already bagged a hat-trick against the Hull defence this season and certainly looks good going into the weekend fixture. The only real concern is that he will then be rested for the trip to Anfield, with Redknapp handing Keane the opportunity to partner Crouch and prove a point to Rafa and his former team-mates. That’s sadly a distinct possibility, even if Defoe puts Hull to the sword.
There could be better security in midfield. Here, Aaron Lennon has been Tottenham’s star performer this season but is on the sidelines and doesn’t look likely to return until Tottenham’s FA Cup tie with Leeds. Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar therefore come into the equation. I’m as a big a fan of Modric as the next man; clearly he is a great player, but I’m not overly sold on him translating that talent as fantasy prospect as of yet – he can have a brilliant game but ultimately reap no rewards when it comes to fantasy returns. That worries me. There appears to be better mid-price midfield prospects then.
Niko Kranjcar is a possibility. He remains an enigma; having disappointed for Portsmouth last season, the man has been on fire ever since he settled into the Spurs side and at only £7.2m in the FPL, could be well worth a stretch if you are so inclined. However, in the mid-term, we can’t really be certain he’ll keep his place in the team upon Lennon’s return. There’s clearly a risk here.
Tom Huddlestone, who would seem likely to hold down starts in both games, will doubtless be a low-to-mid price consideration for some. Aside from his midfield talents, you’re left considering the Tottenham back four. Personally, that’s not a situation I’m often comfortable with.
Having said that, Michael Dawson is currently the most in form defender in the FPL game. With Spurs not having conceded in four league matches, you have to say that he looks a prospect worthy of consideration. He could also be a major weapon from set-plays against Liverpool’s zonal marking at Anfield.
For a bigger gamble, you could look to Gareth Bale – on our Watchlist and in the Spurs lineup courtesy of Assou-Ekotto’s injury, the Welshman offers an attacking flair that could supplement defensive returns with an assist or two.
Finally, like Reina in the Liverpool goal, Gomes also presents a good option should you be in the market for a keeper. He’s found consistency and presents failry good value for the double at 4.8 in the FPL game.
There’s certainly plenty to take in. We’ve now got Manchester United, Hull, Arsenal, Bolton, Liverpool and Spurs taking part in one behemoth of a double gameweek. The options are plentiful and having spent a gameweek cobbling an skeleton eleven together, it seems we now face a new dilemma – just how heavily do we invest in the double fixtures and where does our money go?