The Sunderland revival brings their Fantasy assets to the fore, with Stephane Sessegnon looking particularly ripe for investment. Yaya Toure helps Man City dismantle a sorry Liverpool, while Spurs make a slow start to their double gameweek, thanks to a stubborn West Brom.
Yaya Toure
There’s no doubt the Ivorian’s imminent departure to the African Cup of Nations is a huge blow for Man City and his performance last night against Liverpool served a reminder of just what Toure brings to Roberto Mancini’s side. Post-match, the Italian admitted the player was “irreplaceable“ as Toure’s guile and craft, combined with dynamic running from start to finish, helped him to a goal and assist against a lacklustre Liverpool. Pre-bonus, he’s already on 11 points, his best haul of the season. In terms of “value”, he is neck and neck with David Silva on 11.2, having returned 85 points from a price of 7.6.
David Silva
Without a single assist in his last five appearances, some of Silva’s Fantasy owners were getting restless prior to last night’s performance. With City having failed to score in their last couple of matches and perhaps with the double gameweek in mind, the previous three gameweeks had seen plenty transfer the little Spaniard out but Silva returned to form, with a couple of assists helping the league leaders get back to winning ways. City’s fixtures over the next couple of months look particularly enticing and with the winter wildcard in play, he’ll no doubt be prone to plenty more investment, adding to his current 43.4% ownership, easily the most popular player in the game.
Gareth Bale
While Tottenham failed to return the points hauls many of us had anticipated, the Welshman got his double gameweek off to a reasonable start with an assist for Jermain Defoe’s only goal. Bale has now provided an assist in each of his last four home appearances and looks a good shout for a share of the bonus, which is more than can be said for Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international had a poor night, though there’s still reason for optimism if he’s paired with Defoe again for next week’s clash with Everton; the pair had started five games together prior to last night, with Adebayor bagging 5 goals, including a couple of braces.
Stephane Sessegnon
Here’s a damning stat for Steve Bruce- Sunderland have score more goals in their last two away games under Martin O’Neill than they did in all seven on the road under the previous regime. Sessegnon again stepped up for the Black Cats and looks a different Fantasy prospect altogether since Bruce’s departure- a goal and assist at the DW Stadium means he has returned attacking points in each of his last four appearances as the Wearsiders surge up the table. The Sunderland players have spoken of a renewed self-belief and a look at Sessegnon’s game time perhaps explains why- he has played every minute of O’Neill’s six-match tenure, whereas under Bruce, the highest number of consecutive ninety minute appearances he mustered was three. With Swansea and Norwich to come at home after a tricky trip to Liverpool, he’ll have no shortage of Fantasy investors over the next few weeks as wildcards come into play.
David Vaughan
Another beneficiary of the O’Neill effect, Vaughan has started all six of the new manager’s games in charge- his longest run in the first XI prior to this was three matches. A goal and assist against Wigan is indicative of his flourishing form within the Sunderland side and he has now netted twice since Bruce left- he had previously failed to score all season.
James McClean
Afforded his first start against Man City last week, the winger picked up 3 bonus points and O’Neill’s decision to keep him in the first XI was vindicated at Wigan. McClean grabbed a goal in the 4-1 rout and priced at just 4.5, is a potential bargain right now, given his side’s buoyant form. It’s perhaps debatable if he’ll keep that first-team place once Sunderland have a clean bill of health but McClean – who had previously been granted 47 minutes in the first 14 gameweeks by Bruce- has demonstrated he’s more than capable of producing.
Hugo Rodallega
The Columbian continued his recent impressive form, despite Wigan’s home thrashing. Rodallega’s goal denied the Black Cats a second consecutive clean sheet and adds to his couple of assists in the previous game at Stoke. The Latics have a strong set of fixtures on the horizon from gameweek 24 onwards, though, (EVA, bol, AVL, SWA, nor, WBA) and Rodallega could continue to prosper if his side can rediscover the recent form that had seen them draw with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, in addition to picking up a point at the Britannia. Victor Moses’ owners take note, though; the winger was benched for the first time this season, though an injury to Albert Crusat saw him subbed on just before half-time
