Shaun Maloney hands Wigan and City a huge boost with the only goal against United at the DW. Theo Walcott is amongst the points again, Sergio Aguero leads a rampant City against the Baggies, while Adel Taarabt pulls the strings as QPR climb out the drop zone:
Shaun Maloney
The former Glasgow Celtic man added an unexpected twist to the title race with the winner for Wigan against Man United. Since coming back from long-term injury in Gameweek 28, Maloney has made a significant impact on the Latics’ fortunes. Roberto Martinez’s side have lost just one of the six games following Maloney’s return – last week’s controversial match at Chelsea – with the Scot also scoring in the recent win at Anfield. Priced at 4.5, he could be a decent differential over the remainder of the season, with Wigan clearly showing they are more than capable of upsetting the odds.
Robin Van Persie
The Arsenal skipper’s four game goalless run ended at Molineux last night, with a coolly-taken penalty opener in the 3-0 win. Van Persie quickly boosted his Fantasy returns further by grabbing an assist for his side’s second, helping stretch the Gunners’ lead to five points over Spurs in third. Currently sitting on nine points, a couple of bonus points (at least) seem more than likely, taking his double figure returns to six on the road. Arsene Wenger’s men have now won nine of the last ten and, with a home match against Wigan next Monday, Van Persie will carry the captaincy hopes of many into a potentially difficult Gameweek.
Theo Walcott
A goal and assist brought the winger an eleven point, pre-bonus return, taking Walcott to 163 points – third top in the midfield rankings. His flourishing form shows no sign of slowing down, with Walcott averaging 7.5 points per game over the last ten Gameweeks in a run that has brought five goals and five assists; his total of 75 over that time is just two points less than Van Persie. In spite of this, his ownership is just 11% but, with the Gunners’ match with Wigan set to attract significant investment, Walcott’s price of 9.5 could be set for another hike.
Sergio Aguero
His absence proved costly in City’s last home game, with Roberto Mancini ruing the “stupid” ankle injury that omitted Aguero from the 3-3 draw against Sunderland. In his first home game since netting against Chelsea in Gameweek 29, the Argentine bagged a couple of goals and two assists as City cruised to a 4-0 win. Last night’s brace means he has notched 15 goals in 14 games in front of his own fans this season – only four times has he failed to find the net at home. Next up at the Etihad are United and, with the gap now down to five points, Aguero’s goals will be crucial if City are to get the better of their neighbours in Gameweek 36.
Samir Nasri
Another of Mancini’s missing men for the Sunderland game, Nasri continued his recent significant home contributions last night. Having netted the winner against Chelsea in his last game at the Etihad, the Frenchman provided a pair of assists, setting up both Aguero’s goals as City recovered from their last Emirates defeat in emphatic style. While David Silva’s first goal since Gameweek 16 saw the Spaniard the focus of plenty attention, Nasri has been getting the game time over the last few weeks and could be a decent punt over the last five matches, given his 3.8% ownership.
Carlos Tevez
With Mario Balotelli suspended and Edin Dzeko continuing to warm the bench, the Argentine was handed his first starting role since the incident in Munich. Significantly, the 4-0 win was the first time since Gameweek 14 City had scored more than three goals and Tevez played a major part, turning in a superb performance that also saw him picking up a goal for his endeavours. Subbed off just after the hour mark as Mancini continues to build up his match fitness, Tevez looks likely to continue in the starting XI and, with trips to Norwich and Wolves up next, the 0.6% owned forward has the platform to produce as City look to claw back the five point gap at the summit.
Adel Taarabt
The Moroccan continued his recent run of key home performances as QPR hammered Swansea to climb out of the drop zone. Last night was the third Loftus Road win in a row for Mark Hughes’ outfit and Taarabt had been key in the last two triumphs, with an assist and a goal against Liverpool and Arsenal respectively. A pair of assists helped the R’s record a 3-0 win over Swansea and, with Joey Barton and Akos Buzsaky chipping in with a goal apiece from midfield, Hughes’ men are looking good form ahead of the weekend trip to the Hawthorns. With Chelsea, Spurs and City in the last four, though, Taarabt’s creativity could be the crucial factor if his side are to avoid the drop.
