Peter Odemwingie returns to form to see off Wolves in a one-sided midlands derby. West Brom’s strong away form continues, with James Morrison again impressing. Micah Richards is benched as Roberto Mancini opts for rotation, while City struggle for goals on the road once more, with Sergio Aguero and David Silva failing to produce away from the Etihad again:
Micah Richards
The right-back was a victim of rotation yesterday, as Pablo Zabaleta got the nod for City’s trip to Villa Park. Richards’ attacking prowess has seen him acquire 17% Fantasy owners but it appears that Roberto Mancini’s selection policy will continue to frustrate as City juggle domestic and Europa League duties. The Italian looks likely to alternate his full-backs, then, and, with Kolo Toure now heading back from the African Cup of Nations to challenge Joleon Lescott for a place in the heart of defence, Vincent Kompany is the only member of the City back-four seemingly safe from his manager’s tinkering.
Joleon Lescott
The centre-half grabbed the match-winner at Villa to take his recent tally to 2 goals in the last four gameweeks. Lescott’s eye for goal has seen him grab as many as 8 goals in a single season while at Everton and his attacking displays are proving crucial for the league leaders right now. Given that Sergio Aguero has scored 2 in his last eight, while Edin Dzeko has scored 2 in his last twelve, it’s fair to say that City are struggling for attacking returns. Factor in his clean sheet and Lescott has now overtaken Richards in the FPL standings, now sitting on 90 points, after picking up the maximum bonus.
Sergio Aguero and David Silva
The Argentine continues to frustrate his Fantasy owners on the road. While he managed plenty of efforts in the narrow 1-0 win over Villa, Aguero failed to score for the eighth away match in succession. Compare this to 6 goals in his last seven appearances at the Etihad and his inconsistency is glaringly obvious. For an 11.2 priced player, his inability to deliver away from home is infuriating, though with home clashes with Blackburn and Bolton up next, he looks a strong armband option over the next couple of gameweeks. Rumour abound that Mancini is willing to reconsider Carlos Tevez over the remainder of the season and, with Mario Balotelli now available after suspension, the league leaders have plenty of attacking options to consider over the last 13 gameweeks.
David Silva’s early-season form was strong both at home and on the road, but City’s lack of attacking away returns over the last couple of months have also affected their playmaker. Mancini’s side haven’t scored more than once on the road now since Gameweek 11; Silva has picked up just 2 assists in that subsequent seven-game run.
Peter Odemwingie
Finally, he’s beginning to deliver on the performances served up last season. Up until yesterday, the Nigerian had been a huge disappointment, with just 4 goals to his name in the first 24 gameweeks but bagged a hat-trick at Wolves to serve a reminder of his potential. A Fantasy sensation last time round, with 15 goals and 9 assists, Odemwingie has struggled for form and fitness this term and his displays have even been criticised by Roy Hodgson. West Brom have been resultantly toothless of late, with just 5 goals in the last seven gameweeks prior to yesterday’s win at Molineux but, with Sunderland, Chelsea and United up next, their immediate schedule looks tricky.
Baggies Away Form
It’s as if Roy Hodgson’s side just don’t like playing at the Hawthorns. The Baggies have stuttered and struggled, with 4 goals and a single point in their last six home games but, on the road, their form has been markedly different. West Brom have now won four and drawn two of their last seven away games, suggesting that, against conventional Fantasy thinking, their assets may be best utilised on the road. With trips to United, Everton, City and Liverpool in their next five away, that theory will be tested severely, though.
Liam Ridgewell and Keith Andrews
The new January acquisitions were handed their debuts for the Baggies yesterday. Ridgewell was fielded at left-back by Hodgson, with Nicky Shorey dropping out of the first-team, as Gareth McAuley kept his place at centre-half alongside Jonas Olsson. Andrews, on as a half-time sub for Paul Scharner, caught the eye with a devastating display. The former Blackburn man grabbed a goal and assist in the 5-1 rout and, with Hodgson opting for a five-man midfield, could force his way into his manager’s first-team plans over the next few gameweeks.
James Morrison
The Scot’s recent strong form continued at Wolves yesterday. A couple of assists means he has now produced attacking returns in three of his last four gameweeks- ironically, the only blank was in Gameweek 24, when he was selected for the Scout Picks. A goal and 4 assists since the start of Gameweek 22 is indicative of his form and, priced at 5.3, with a 0.6% ownership, has proven to be a decent mid-price differential over the last few matches.
