After a reduced six-match Gameweek 29, we’ve 10 whole fixtures to choose from before yet another unwanted interruption brought on by internationals. Rest and rotation proved a headache to pick through but we’ve stuck to our guns, doubling up on Chelsea, United and Spurs in light of their kind home fixtures:
A home game with Norwich earns Simon Mignolet the nod. While the Sunderland stopper has been in decent form at the Stadium of Light, with two clean sheets in his last four in front of the Black Cats’ faithful, it’s the visitors’ woeful attacking form that really boosts his appeal – Chris Hughton’s side have found the net in just two of their last eight, suggesting a home clean sheet is on the cards.
We mulled over a number of options for United defensive coverage and, while David De Gea and Nemanja Vidic came close to getting the nod, we’re gone for Rafael. Granted, Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of full-back fatigue after Sunday’s cup draw with Chelsea but a six day gap between fixtures will surely afford plenty rest. The United boss has also talked of his determination to go on the attack and the Brazilian, with a goal and assist in his last two, has been in sparkling form, while a record of four back-to-back clean sheets could well be extended against the managerless Royals tomorrow evening.
Picking a Chelsea defender for Sunday’s home game with West Ham posed plenty problems behind the scenes. Second-guessing Rafa Benitez’s intentions is a futile task at best – Branislav Ivanovic has now failed to feature in the last two, for example, but does that mean he’s been rested and therefore far fresher or has he fallen out of favour? Ultimately, the versatility of David Luiz earns him a place in the Picks as the Blues look to build on a defensive record that has seen them concede just five times in eight under Benitez at the Bridge. With nine goals scored on the road this term, the Hammers have been dire going forward, while Luiz’s share of set-pieces and potential shift to midfield boosts his chances of picking up attacking points.
Our final defender was a little easier to select. Rested for Tottenham’s trip to Inter, Michael Dawson seems set to return to the first XI for Sunday’s home game with Fulham. The 4.6 priced centre-half has produced a goal and five bonus points in his last four at the Lane and will be confident of a clean sheet against a Cottagers side that have scored in just one of their last three on the road.
Suspended for Spurs’ San Siro visit on Thursday, Gareth Bale will be fresh and raring to go as Fulham make their way to the Lane. Surprisingly, he has just 15% of the votes cast in this week’s Captain Poll – four sets of double figures in his last five, with seven goals and a pair of assists in the previous six, Bale’s central role could prove the undoing of a Cottagers side with just two clean sheets on the road all season.
He may have dropped 0.6 in price since Gameweek 27 but our faith in Theo Walcott remains resolute. Granted, he hasn’t found the net in the last four but the Gunners winger has still provided assists in three of those fixtures, with his Fantasy points still ticking away nicely. Having scored or assisted in all seven of his away starts this term, Walcott looks a good bet to produce the goods again as he travels to Swansea – Michael Laudrup’s side have just one clean sheet in their last seven at the Liberty.
Once again, we’re putting our fate firmly in the hands of Rafa Benitez by selecting Juan Mata. Looking at Chelsea’s schedule, we reckon that Mata is more likely to be benched for the Gameweek 31 trip to Southampton, bearing in mind the FA Cup Sixth Round replay against United is just two days later – with a goal and two assists in Thursday’s Europa League win over Steaua, his return to form looks perfectly timed, after three successive blanks.
The consistency of Moussa Sissoko makes the Newcastle midfielder a strong option ahead of a trip to Wigan. Attacking returns in five of his six appearances highlights the form that has seen his FPL price rise from 6.0 to 6.7, while the Latics’ dire defensive home record merely heightens the Frenchman’s appeal – Roberto Martinez’s side have conceded at least twice in eight of their last nine at the DW. Sissoko was fielded on the left of a 4-3-3 against Anzhi last night but is expected to return to “the hole” as Alan Pardew reverts to 4-2-3-1.
Luis Suarez is another obvious option. Similar to Bale, he has also been selected by a lowly 15% for the Captain Poll despite racking up three successive double figure hauls. The Liverpool forward takes his sublime form to St Mary’s to face a Southampton side with a single clean sheet in the previous six under new boss Mauricio Pochettino and looks in the mood to deliver once again.
Runaway leader in the Captain Poll with over 47% of the votes, many a manager is clearly pinning their hopes on Robin Van Persie ahead of United’s home game with Reading. Handed less than half an hour as a sub in last Sunday’s FA Cup draw with Chelsea, he’ll surely be back in the starting line-up tomorrow and will be keen to atone for a recent scoring record which has seen him notch in just one of his last five. With the Royals in upheaval after Brian McDermott’s sacking, the Dutchman could give them plenty more to fret about.
A crucial home game with QPR gives Christian Benteke the chance to maintain his stunning recent form. The Belgian is in for a battle against Chris Samba tomorrow afternoon but with seven goals and an assist in his last nine, he’ll be confident of picking up points once more, bearing in mind the R’s have now gone four Gameweeks without a clean sheet.
Our first bench spot goes to Villa centre-half Ciaran Clark. The midlanders have tightened up in recent matches and have conceded more than a single goal in just one of their last four ahead of tomorrow’s vital home game with QPR. Clark has found the net just once this term but his aerial ability from set-pieces and corners earns him the nod for the relegation six-pointer.
With games against United and Chelsea just around the corner, tomorrow’s home clash with Norwich is more crucial than ever for Sunderland. Two goals in the last three highlights Stephane Sessegnon’s current form, with the Benin international flourishing on the flank since moving from “the hole” after Martin O’Neill shifted from 4-4-1-1 to 4-4-2.
Midweek Watchlist candidate Arouna Kone gets the nod for Wigan’s home game with Newcastle. The Ivorian has produced four goals and an assist over his last five league starts and looks crucial to his side’s chances of securing a vital victory over the Magpies, as Roberto Martinez’s men look to build on last week’s FA Cup win over Everton.
