A Friday dinnertime regular just before the Scout Picks, we take a look at some of the key battles ahead of Gameweek Six. These are some of the vital head-to-heads in the upcoming set of fixtures that could ultimately determine how both the league and Fantasy points fall, both from an offensive and defensive perspective.
Leighton Baines v Micah Richards
In recent months, Man City’s home record is almost as formidable as neighbours United- they’ve won eleven and drawn one of their last thirteen games at the Etihad Stadium. The one loss? Against Everton. David Moyes’ side have held something of a hoodoo sign over City in recent seasons; eight wins in their last nine encounters would suggest the Toffees boss knows just what it takes to get the better of Roberto Mancini’s side but tomorrow lunchtime will put that record firmly to the test.
With Sergio Aguero firing on all cylinders, it’s more than likely Everton will concede and much will depend on their ability to find a response. Moyes’ side come into the match in good form; they’ve gone five games now undefeated but if the visitors are to get any sort of positive result, it’s likely that Leighton Baines will be at the heart of things. Baines’ left-flank delivery has proved problematic in the past for City and Micah Richards will have his work cut out to stop their chief creator from supplying the likes of Tim Cahill with the chances to dent their title aspirations. Baines has created more than double the number of goalscoring opportunities than any team mate and if City can nullify his threat, their chances of bouncing back from last week’s disappointing draw at Fulham should be boosted considerably.
Adel Taarabt vs Alan Hutton
While Shaun Wright-Phillips in buzzing around in the free-role, Neil Warnock has elected to somewhat restrict the influence of Adel Taarabt to the left flank. Having used the freedom of the Loftus Road pitch to inspire QPR’s promotion season, the Moroccan may feel aggrieved to be shackled and, while he will inevitably tuck inside against Villa on Sunday, his role in occupying the left-wing and the threat of Alan Hutton will be key.
Taarabt can undoubtedly be a match winner for Warnock’s men and Hutton will be subjected to his trickery and skills. His discipline and work rate will be a concern for the QPR boss however, with Hutton possessing plenty of pace and attacking intent of his own that could expose the buccaneering Armand Traore at left-back. We’d expect Marc Albrighton to start for Villa with both Emile Heskey and Darren Bent sidelined, and the England U21 international will also offer Villa plenty of threat on the right, which, in tandem with Hutton, could cause problems. Taarabt will be well fancied to do some damage and emerge as a true Fantasy prospect on Sunday, but equally, he has a job to do to ensure the visitors do not pose a wing threat of their own.
Junior Hoilett vs Danny Simpson
While Yakubu soak up the plaudits from Blackburn’s dramatic 4-3 win, Junior Hoilett undeniably provided the spark that offered Blackburn a foothold in a game that could have so easily slipped away from them. Hoilett’s ball carrying skills and ability to beat opponents has been a feature of Blackburn’s season so far and, with Rovers looking to start a run of form, the Canadian looks to be their most viable Fantasy prospect.
Steve Kean has, however, deployed Hoilett in a wide role for much of this season – or at least encouraged his prize asset to hug the left touchline and it’s from here that he’s had to influence matches. The visit to Newcastle on Saturday will therefore likely pitch him up against Danny Simpson, a player who has emerged as a key Fantasy target off the back of the Magpies’ impressive start to the season defensively. Should Kean stay true to that tactic, Simpson’s performance will be vital to the prospect of another Newcastle clean sheet. If Hoilett can be contained, Alan Pardew’s side will have nullified Blackburn’s major attacking threat.
Theo Walcott vs Paul Robinson
Theo Walcott has been talking more about shifting his game to a central role for Arsenal but, for now at least, the Emirates flyer seems set to line up on the right flank. Indeed, Walcott was forced to watch on at Ewood Park last time out as Arsene Wenger elected to start Gervinho on the right wing, maintaining Andrei Arshavin on the left. We’d expect that situation to change for the visit of Bolton on Saturday – that could be bad news for Paul Robinson.
Bolton’s combative left-back is likely to be targeted by Wenger who will have surely noted the way in which United exposed the Trotters’ left-flank with the pace and trickery of Nani, backed-up by the able running of Phil Jones. All the threat came from United’s right wing and Wenger will surely be looking to Walcott to replicate that when he comes face to face with Robinson. So far however, Walcott has largely disappointed; so often he has failed to provide the spark and service required, or indeed, expected of him. If he can improve on Saturday, he is likely to be the key figure in Bolton’s undoing.
