Following on from last Friday’s piece, we take a look at some of the key battles ahead of the weekend’s batch of fixtures. These are some of the one-to-one duels that could ultimately prove decisive in settling their respective matches as well as, of course, determining what way the Fantasy points fall from both an offensive and defensive point of view.
Gervinho v Michel Salgado
Steve Kean’s side have been poor so far this season- failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their four games; Rovers have just one point to their name and the fans are already voicing their disapproval. With both games at Ewood Park ending in defeat, the visit of Arsenal –buoyed by their midweek draw in Dortmund- is hardly the easiest of fixtures for the under-fire Scotsman.
Having slipped off the Fantasy radar following a debut red card at Newcastle, Gervinho returns to action after serving his subsequent three-game domestic ban. In comparison to the more ponderous Andrei Arshavin, the Ivorian’s directness will bring an added urgency to Arsenal’s attack. Gervinho’s pace and trickery would give the quickest of full-backs plenty problems- this week sees him come face to face with Rovers’ veteran Michel Salgado. While Theo Walcott could be up against Martin Olsson on the other flank (if Chris Samba is ruled out), Gervinho could be the answer to unlocking the hosts’ back-four and grab the Gunners a second league win on the trot.
Nani v Ashley Cole
Nani has been somewhat under the Fantasy radar this season, thanks mainly to Ashley Young. The former Villa winger has so far offered greater Fantasy returns and as a result has jumped in price to 10.3 while Nani has dropped to 9.9, with the former’s performance in the 8-2 win over Arsenal catching Fantasy managers’ eyes.
A comparison of the pair’s stats, however, show Nani has offered Man United a more consistent threat on the right, without yet grabbing a substantial points haul; he has had more shots and created almost double the number of goalscoring opportunities of the two.
Sir Alex Ferguson rested both his wingers for the midweek trip to Benfica and a fully refreshed Nani should give Ashley Cole plenty to think about this Sunday afternoon as Chelsea attempt to stop the United juggernaut from picking up yet another three points.
Leighton Baines v Ronnie Stam
Everton have struggled at home so far- just one point from their two games at Goodison is typical of their familiar slow start to the season. Key to tomorrow’s match with Wigan will, as always, be Leighton Baines. He’s in good creative form right now, too; Baines laid on more goalscoring chances than any other player last week, producing the sort of service more associated with a winger than a full-back.
David Moyes will be desperate for the three points before embarking on a horrendous run of fixtures that includes showdowns with both Manchester clubs as well as facing Liverpool and Chelsea in the next five weeks and if the Toffees are to grab a win, Baines is likely to be instrumental.
With Emmerson Boyce looking likely to be ruled out with a hamstring strain, Ronnie Stam is lined up to make an appearance in the Wigan right-back berth. Not renowned for his defensive output, the Dutchman’s more attack-minded sensibilities could play right into Baines’ hands as the home side forage forward time and again down their left flank. If Wigan are to prevail at Goodison, much may rely on Stam’s ability to knuckle down and nullify the left-back’s threat.
