Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert maintain their recent form as Southampton ease past former boss Nigel Adkins’ Reading at the Madejski. Tomas Rosicky is at the double in Arsenal’s win at the Hawthorns, Michu delivers his 17th of the season at Carrow Road, while Christian Benteke helps drag Stoke firmly into the relegation battle in a day which the four fixtures produced a single home point and just one clean sheet for Fantasy managers to enthuse over:
On the Up
Jay Rodriguez
The former Burnley forward’s emergence continues at pace as he notched for the third consecutive league outing, earning goal and assist returns for the second time in that trio of matches. Rodriguez enjoyed a price increase to 5.2 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game this week but continues to offer outstanding value for those unable to stretch to acquire Rickie Lambert. Arguably, Rodriguez is justifying selection over his esteemed team-mate.
Rickie Lambert
The 31-year-old put in another outstanding display to steer Southampton to their third consecutive win. Picking up an assist today, Lambert has now either scored or assisted in six of the last eight league matches – with strong fixtures to come right up until the end of the season, Lambert will surely go on adding to his impressive tally in his first season in the top-flight.
The Southampton Defence
Returns in the budget bracket have been hard to come by with Reading’s demise, along with inconsistent returns from the QPR and West Ham defences. By contrast, the Saints’ back four have produced some outstanding statistics of late, resulting in a run of four matches that have seen them concede just twice. Full-back Luke Shaw and centre-back Jos Hooiveld, now back in favour, look to be presenting outstanding value at just 4.0 in the FPL for the season run-in.
Michu
Having returned just once in 10 league appearances, Michu has now converted in back-to-back matches for the first time since Gameweek 15. The Spaniard has timed his revival well, with a blank in Gameweek 33 proceeding a double a fortnight later which will see him face City at home and Wigan away. Having suffered significant sales in Gameweeks 30 and 31, suddenly his remaining owners will now be contemplating holding over the blank.
Robert Snodgrass
Norwich had scored just three goals in their last seven league matches before today, a run that had seen Snodgrass slip from the radar as a consideration in midfield. He was always likely to be pivotal to any Canaries revival, however, and today he claimed his fifth goal of the season to compound what has been an impressive first term in the top flight. With Reading, Villa and West Brom all at Carrow Road before Gameweek 38, Snodgrass could well tempt investment if Chris Hughton’s side can recover a semblance of attacking form.
Michael Turner
A towering influence and set-piece threat for Hull back in the day, Turner today registered his second Premier League goal of the season. The smart money was on Sebastien Bassong to exploit the Swansea fragility from set-plays but Turner stepped up to underline his value as a 4.2 FPL defensive acquisition.
Tomas Rosciky
The experienced Czech playmaker has come into the side following injuries to Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby and, like Gervinho, has taken his opportunity. A brace at the Hawthorns promoted his chances of earning a run-out over the forthcoming double Gameweek and, with a price tag of just 6.1 in the FPL, he could see some investment from those looking to roll the dice.
Gervinho
The Ivorian scored from the bench at Swansea in Gameweek 30 and has since notched three assists and a goal in the 4-1 win over Reading last time out. While Theo Walcott could be back in contention for next weekend’s fixtures, Gervinho is another who has timed his ascendancy for double Gameweek consideration and looks destined to play some part in the Gunners’ two matches at the Emirates against Norwich and Everton. A 6.9 midfielder in the FPL, he may well retain his start either on the flank or be shifted to a central berth for at least one of those two fixtures.
Gabby Agbonlahor
The Villa speed merchant notched for the third time in four matches and has now scored or assisted in each of his last four league starts. With a price tag of 6.8, Agbonlahor is unlikely to tempt too much investment with Christian Benteke available in the same bracket – his form is undeniable, though, and with Fulham and Sunderland due at Villa Park in the next three, could be set to continue.
Christian Benteke
Another game, another goal for Villa’s brilliant Belgian as Paul Lambert’s side secured a crucial win at the Britannia. Benteke‘s exceptional displays have seen him score in eight of the last 10 Gameweeks for the midlanders and with Villa on the ascendency, those aforementioned fixtures look hugely promising as he looks to add to his current 15 goal tally.
Going Down
Per Mertesacker
Dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity at West Brom, the big German will now be suspended for Arsenal’s opening fixture of Gameweek 33 against Norwich, scuppering plans for investment. As the most secure option in the Gunners back four, Mertesacker topped our Watchlist rankings but will now frustrate his current owners and cause potential buyers to look elsewhere for Arsenal defensive coverage.
Romelu Lukaku
After starting four of the last five (he was ineligible for the clash with Chelsea), Lukaku had finally looked secure in Steve Clarke’s lineup, showing strong form throughout that run of matches. With Shane Long fit, however, Clarke took the opportunity to opt for a 4-5-1 and drop Lukaku to the bench against the Gunners. Despite a second-half appearance from the bench, with a blank to come, sales of the striker now look inevitable given the dent to his security of starts.
Reading
It’s looking inevitable that the Royals will slip back into the Championship after a damaging home defeat to the Saints today. Fantasy managers still holding members of their squad will be concerned that the relegation battle is now a forgone conclusion, ruling out any revival of fortunes. With Nigel Adkins also rotating his options, dropping Alex Pearce and Pavel Pogrebnyak to the bench today, there is also real doubts over a secure starting XI.
The Stoke Defence
Tony Pulis’ side are now in real danger. Lacking a cutting edge up front, there was nonetheless the potential that the Potters could use defensive resolve to help them grind out results. Having conceded three to Villa at the Britannia today, Stoke have kept a shutout in just one of the last fourteen league matches – previously, they had kept nine clean sheets by Gameweek 16. United visit the Potteries next, with a crucial visit to Loftus Road following on from that – Pulis will be sweating on the availability of Marc Wilson, though; he was reportedly subbed off with 43 minutes on the clock due to a hamstring injury.
Mark Bunn
Back in the Norwich first-team after serving a one-match suspension, his comeback lasted just 15 minutes before he was subbed off injured to be replaced by Lee Camp. With John Ruddy set to step up his own injury recovery with an appearance for the reserves on Monday, Bunn’s time between the sticks could be coming to an end – at present, though the Canaries have yet to deliver any prognosis on the injury.
Bonus Point Predictions – Courtesy of the BAP Chap
Reading 0 Southampton 2 – Rodriguez 3, Davis 2, Lallana 1
Stoke 1 Aston Villa 3 – Lowton 3, Benteke 2, Kightly 1 (in the mix Agbonlahor)
West Brom 1 Arsenal 2 – Rosicky 3, Gervinho 2, Ramsey 1
Norwich 2 Swansea 2 – L.Moore 3, De Guzman 2, Turner 1 (in the mix E.Bennett)
