Robin Van Persie continues his sublime Fantasy campaign and condemns Liverpool to their first home loss of the season. Gylfi Sigurdsson guides Swansea to a win at Wigan, Royston Drenthe pops up his head just in time for the double Gameweek, while Roberto Mancini’s rotation lays many a best-laid Fantasy plan to waste…

Robin Van Persie
Nothing should surprise us anymore when it comes to the Arsenal skipper’s Fantasy performances. Van Persie’s brace at Anfield brought Liverpool’s unbeaten home record to an end and served up his tenth double-figure points haul of the season- five at home and five on the road highlights his extraordinary consistency. While many were swayed by the likes of Sergio Aguero over the past couple of Gameweeks, Van Persie showed yesterday, and against Spurs last week, that he’s capable of severely punishing those Fantasy managers who choose to overlook him as captaincy material. For some, there’s almost a temptation now just to simply hand him the armband and be done with it.

Alex Song
The Arsenal midfielder grabbed his third assist in the last couple of Gameweeks yesterday, setting up Van Persie’s late Anfield winner. A step up in performance has now taken his assist total to 8 for the season, just one less than Van Persie and 6 more than Mikel Arteta’s total of 2. Priced at 5.8, though, he’s returned just 81 points, less than 4.8 Victor Moses, for example, on 82.

Liverpool Defence
With the forwards and midfield failing to fire, the back-four has very much been the foundation of the Merseyside club’s season but, ahead of double Gameweek 28, there are worries over Liverpool’s defence cropping up. Yesterday saw Kenny Dalglish devoid of two of his first-choice backline; Daniel Agger is sidelined with a rib injury, while Glen Johnson was left out as a precaution, after tweaking a hamstring in England training. Jamie Carragher and Martin Kelly deputised but the Reds conceded more than one home goal for the first time this term and subsequently suffered their first Anfield loss of the season. With games against Sunderland and Everton next Gameweek, Fantasy managers will be perhaps a little less confident of defensive investment on the back of yesterday’s loss.

Gylfi Sigurdsson
The Icelandic international proved the difference for Swansea as they extended Wigan’s winless run at the DW to twelve games. Sigurdsson’s brace means he has now returned 3 goals and 3 assists in just seven appearances for the Welsh club since joining on loan from Hoffenheim in January, and has averaged 6 points per game. Given that Gareth Bale has returned 6.2 per game, Sigurdsson’s flourishing form within Brendan Rodgers’ set-up makes his price of 5.0 continue to look a steal and, on the back of yesterday’s performance, he’s likely to see plenty interest come his way. Swansea have City and Spurs in the next four, meaning some may be reluctant to invest straight away- an upturn in fixtures from Gameweek 32 looks enticing, though.

Gareth McAuley
A goal and clean sheet return from the West Brom centre-half helped his Fantasy owners to a 12 point, pre-bonus, return. McAuley’s winner against Chelsea earned the Baggies a 1-0 victory and secured a third straight triumph for Roy Hodgson’s side. While question marks were raised over McAuley’s chances of holding down a first-team place after Liam Ridgewell’s arrival in January, it’s been Nicky Shorey who has dropped to the bench, with Ridgewell handed a left-back berth. McAuley has now played every minute since the start of Gameweek 6 and, priced at 4.1, is second only to fellow centre-half Jonas Olsson in terms of value for Hodgson’s side.

Matthew Etherington
The winger grabbed the only goal in Stoke’s 1-0 win over Norwich and, added to last week’s assist against Swansea, continues his recent upturn in form. While Jon Walters returned yet another blank yesterday (the Irishman has now scored once since Gameweek 12) Etherington boosted his average to 4.5 points per game, compared to Walters’ 3.9. With both priced at 6.5, the former is proving to be the better option as the season progresses, despite a mere ownership of 3%.

Asmir Begovic
It’s two clean sheets in two now for the Israeli since returning to the Stoke first-team. Having lost his place between the sticks for the previous few months, Begovic is quickly making a case for his continued inclusion and a look at the stats shows why; he has chalked up 6 clean sheets in thirteen starts, while Thomas Sorensen has managed 3 clean sheets in fourteen starts. Averaging 4.2 points per game –the same as the likes of Brad Friedel- Begovic could be set for a testing time over the short-term, however, with trips to Chelsea and Spurs followed by a home clash against City.

Royston Drenthe
Ahead of double Gameweek 28, the Dutchman served a reminder of his potential with a goal in Everton’s 1-1 draw at Loftus Road. Afforded a role on the right with Landon Donovan now back in the US, Drenthe netted for the first time since Gameweek 9 and, with Steven Pienaar unavailable for the clash against parent club Tottenham, a start against Harry Redknapp’s side now looks assured. His appeal is obvious-with 3 goals and 6 assists, he’s been involved in more goals than any other Toffees player but a mere eight starts has proved frustrating for his Fantasy backers this season; if Drenthe can nail down that right flank role, the bandwagon may roll once again.

Bobby Zamora
Despite a change of scenery in the January transfer window, the former Fulham man continues to enjoy home comforts. Zamora rescued a point for QPR to prevent them from slipping to their fourth successive defeat; this was his second in four since joining the Loftus Road outfit. Zamora has now netted 7 times this season, with every goal coming in front of his own fans; he’s also picked up 6 of his 7 assists at home, too. With Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs three of the next four teams to visit Mark Hughes’ relegation candidates, Zamora’s contribution looks crucial to their chances of survival.

Micah Richards
A 2-0 win over Bolton was City’s fourth clean sheet in succession but Richards’ 15% Fantasy owners once again missed out on the points. The club’s official site confirmed the right-back missed out due to injury but, having been prone to rotation of late, this was the third league game in a row Richards has missed and, with over 27,000 shipping him out last week due to the uncertainty over his game time, the transfers out are likely to gather. It’s no surprise to see Vincent Kompany rise by 0.2 over the same period of time, with managers opting for the City skippers’ assured starts as an alternative. Richards’ rival for the right-back role, Pablo Zabaletta, was forced off early, meaning Kolo Toure came on to earn a clean sheet instead.

Mario Balotelli
For many of us, the less said about City’s line-up yesterday, the better. The home game against Bolton brought high expectations – plenty had handed the armband to Sergio Aguero, with a goal feast against Bolton looking likely. Mancini’s meddling provided a huge surprise, with both Aguero and David Silva rested for the first time this season – the stage was set for Balotelli to prosper, and he duly obliged. Despite missing a host of chances, the Italian eventually netted for City and has shown a remarkable consistency when afforded a role in the first XI, scoring in seven of his nine starts for the league leaders. If he can maintain his place in the City first-team, Balotelli clearly has the potential to deliver but when Mancini’s tinkering extends to the likes of Silva, it’s clear that little can be taken for granted now.

Charles N’Zogbia
Having been praised in midweek by Alex McLeish for an increased work-rate in training, N’Zogbia celebrated his return to the Villa first-team with the opener at Blackburn. Playing on the right for the Midlands outfit, the former Wigan man was a threat throughout and yesterday’s goal now means he has produced attacking returns in four of his last five starts. N’Zogbia has the platform to continue his improved performances, with home games against Fulham and Bolton up next.

David Dunn
On as a second half sub for Mauro Formica, the veteran earned a vital draw for Blackburn, as they moved two points off the bottom of the table. Steve Kean’s side have been been fairly impressive at home of late, with 2 wins and a draw in their last four at Ewood Park but, with Sunderland, United and Liverpool the next three visitors, the potential of Blackburn’s Fantasy assets looks rather limited.