It’s left to Spurs and Southampton to light up an otherwise dismal Gameweek, as Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale tear into the Hammers and Gaston Ramirez and Adam Lallana orchestrate another win for the Saints to sweep a beleaguered Newcastle aside. Here’s the Stock Check on Sunday’s four matches…
On the Up
Jermain Defoe
Having been dropped to the bench at the Emirates, Emmanuel Adeabayor’s suspension revived Defoe’s fortunes and he responded with a superb brace against his former club. Notching for the first time in five appearances, Defoe now sits on seven goals for the season and again looks a strong contender for a spot in our forward lines. The threat from Adebayor will return, however, perhaps indicating that Tottenham’s attacking potential is best covered by team-mate Gareth Bale.
Gareth Bale
The Welshman scored his first goal in front of the White Hart Lane faithful this season to notch points in back-to-back matches for only the second time. In a Gameweek that has seen paltry returns from the heavy-hitters, Bale will stand out and surely attract new suitors in the run-up to Wednesday’s meeting with Liverpool at the Lane.
The City Defence
The clean sheet at Stamford Bridge takes City to five for the season and was their fourth in their last five matches. Finding Fantasy assets within Mancini’s rearguard remains tough, with only Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart seemingly safe from rest and rotation. Matija Natasic has started all of the last five, however, suggesting that he could yet be a potential target.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Once again, he was handed a starting berth for the Blues – his fourth consecutive appearance in the first XI. The goalless draw was Chelsea’s first clean sheet in eight attempts and if Rafa Benitez can bring a little more resilience to their backline, the 5.6 FPL priced right-back could come into consideration if he nails down the role.
Jose Enrique
A second consecutive clean sheet for the Spaniard, who was again deployed in an advanced position on the left flank, with Stewart Downing behind him at left-back. It’s still not clear if Enrique will remain in this role but, in the short-term, he’s offering both attacking and defensive returns and could well be in line for further bonus points from today’s game. Outside of Enrique, there’s a strong suggestion that the Liverpool defence is worth considering: they have now conceded just two goals in their last four league games.
The Swansea Defence
Michael Laudrup’s side found a first clean sheet in 10 league matches but there had been improvement over the last five, which had seen the Swans concede just a single goal in each match. Laudrup’s defence could be worth a look once more, then, with West Brom, Norwich, Villa, Stoke and QPR five of the next six teams at the Liberty Stadium. Ben Davies continues to offer a secure budget option at left-back.
Southampton’s Midfield
We dedicated last week’s Technical Area article to Nigel Adkins’ midfield trio of Gaston Ramirez, Adam Lallana and Jason Puncheon and all three delivered in today’s win over Newcastle to confirm the potential identified. The Saints continue to be one of the most potent attacking teams in the league and the trio have become integral to their recent revival. With Puncheon in the budget bracket and Ramirez and Lallana available for mid-price, they are hugely attractive options for those looking to scale back their midfield investment.
Michael Dawson
Given the nod ahead of William Gallas in the Spurs defence against West Ham. Andre Villas-Boas shifted Jan Vertonghen to left-back, pairing Dawson with the returning Steven Caulker. Dawson can be acquired for just 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League game and, if he can cement his start, this situation would be worth monitoring should Spurs’ defensive record show signs of improvement.
Going Down
Carlos Tevez
The Argentine started on the bench for the second consecutive match having kept in reserve against Real Madrid in midweek. While that will likely see him start at Wigan on Wednesday, today’s decision by Roberto Mancini will still be a concern for Tevez owners who will have to be wary of the threat of rotation from this point on – particularly over the busy Christmas programme.
Samir Nasri
Another benched by Mancini. Nasri’s start could well be linked to the personnel at left-back: with Gael Clichy injured and Aleks Kolarov starting, the City boss opted for the defensive security offered by James Milner on the left of midfield.
Gary Cahill
There was talk of an illness keeping Cahill on the bench today but there will still be real doubts about the potential he offers, with John Terry, David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic all seemingly above him in the pecking order for the centre-back roles.
Eden Hazard
Hauled off with 20 minutes to go having notched a third blank in four starts, Hazard owners will have been mindful of Gareth Bale’s returns at White Hart Lane and feeling fidgety again. With Rafa Benitez a known advocate of rotation, it remains to be seen if Hazard, Oscar and Mata are untouchable as starters in this Chelsea lineup, beginning with the Fulham clash on Wednesday.
