Continuing our usual analysis of the double gameweek prospects with a look at Everton’s squad, assessing their potential over the two fixtures and targeting and weighing up the players who may just tempt Fantasy investment…
The Prospects
With two wins in their last six league games, scoring four goals in the process, it’s clear that Everton’s double gameweek prospects aren’t as strong as Tottenham’s. Goals are unquestionably the big concern for David Moyes and, sadly for Fantasy managers, this problem area severely limits the potential on offer in their squad.
Defensively, the Toffees have at least being giving the attacking players an opportunity to win matches. Clean sheets at Bolton, against Swansea and in Sunday’s win at West Brom have meant that Moyes’ rear-guard have conceded just four goals in their last seven league outings – a superb record.
The two gameweek 20 fixtures offer some potential then, not least because the first fixture comes at Goodison Park against a Bolton side who are currently floundering. With six defeats in eight league games, and a defence that has shipped two or more goals in six of those matches, Everton’s chances of points and attacking returns seem strong.
The Toffees follow that up of course, with the trip to White Hart Lane on January 11, a fixture that appears to offer far less opportunity for profits. Spurs have won three of their last four at home, conceding just a single goal – to Chelsea – in the process. It could be a case of damage limitation for Everton .
The Likely Lads
Leighton Baines is the undoubtedly the strongest Fantasy prospect in the Everton ranks over the season. A dead-ball specialist, on penalty kicks and direct free-kicks, he’s seen his role at set-plays somewhat reduced by the arrival of Royston Drenthe, but still remains integral. In addition, Baines is a huge part of Everton’s attacking ploys – he’ll often see more of the ball than most players in the side, and his supply of crossed balls and goalscoring opportunities is amongst the best in the league, if not the best.
Can Baines supply over the double gameweek? There’s no doubt that he always carries good potential. Baines has returned three clean sheets, two goals, an assist and seven bonus points over his last eight league outings – a decent return going into the double fixtures. At 7.7 in the Fantasy Premier League game however, Baines is a major investment that will call for some deep squad surgery before he can be acquired. However, if you can afford him without taking hits on transfers, Baines is the best option on offer in the Everton ranks for these fixtures, and throughout the season.
Leon Osman is the only player who gets close to Baines for FPL returns this year – as detailed in our recent Watchlist article, the impish midfielder has quietly emerged as a Fantasy prospect and cemented his starting role in Moyes’ midfield. His recent form is good and at 6.7, Osman is available as a mid-price prospect who offers effective cover of Everton’s attacking potential over the two games.
If you want something potentially more explosive, then Royston Drenthe is an option but is far less secure. Full of fire and pace, the Dutchman is a loose cannon in the Everton ranks who could potentially return big and, similarly, see the red mists and earn an early bath. Blighted by injury to this point, when he’s played, Drenthe has looked the part – returning a goal and two assists in the 3-1 win at Fulham. That was back in gameweek 9 however, since then Drenthe has produced three assists, although these have come in just five appearances. At 5.9 in the FPL midfield bracket, Drenthe is easily available but having missed the trip to West Brom amidst talk of yet further injury problems, he’s a major risk.
Beyond these three you could look to Phil Jagielka, Tony Hibbert and Tim Howard as options in defence and in goal. Jagielka at 5.5 and Hibbert at just 4.8 are certainly prospects but, unlike Baines, you’ll be mainly relying on defensive returns for a pay back – despite Hibbert’s assist against West Brom.
Cheeky Punt
Landon Donovan arrived at Goodison on Friday and will be available to David Moyes for the visit of Bolton. Classed as a midfielder with a price tag of 7.0, the US international is undoubtedly a risk but also a fascinating prospect. With two goals and three assists in 10 appearances back in the 2009/10 season, Everton fans will have huge expectations this time around. Donovan himself has stated that he’s a better player now and he clearly has the talent to make an impact. Whether that impact can be instant and arrive in Everton’s two gameweek 20 fixtures, is another matter.
