Having dropped just two points in their last four fixtures, Everton look in good form heading into the double Gameweek. With Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar now back from two-match suspensions, the Toffees’ bid for a top four finish is bolstered by the weekend visit of QPR before they head to the Emirates the following Tuesday:
The Prospects
The first game of the double looks particularly enticing, given the Merseysiders’ outstanding Goodison form this term. David Moyes’ men have been beaten just once at home all season – only City can boast a similar achievement – with Chelsea the one side to depart victorious. Everton have won four of the last five in front of their own fans, scoring at least twice on four of those occasions, and while they have registered just two clean sheets over that period, have conceded just once in the last three. QPR’s need to go on the attack in recent matches has exposed their previously resilient defence – they have conceded at least three times in three of their previous four away encounters. The R’s may well put up a fight, though; they’ve scored twice in each of their last three on the road.
A trip to Arsenal is a touch more difficult. The Gunners have been in superb form in recent matches – winning seven and drawing one of their last nine league matches, they’ve gained in momentum by the Gameweek in their quest for a top four finish. Arsene Wenger’s side have dropped just two points in their last five at the Emirates and have scored more goals in front of their own fans than all but United so far, though at the back, they have managed just two home clean sheets since Gameweek 9. Everton have failed to win any of their last four road trips, however, and prior to last week’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham, had scored one goal in their previous three on the road. At the back, the Toffees have a single away clean sheet to their name since Gameweek 5.
The Likely Lads
Since the turn of the year, Leighton Baines has been in particularly strong form. With set-pieces and spot-kicks in his locker, the 7.7 priced left-back’s propensity for picking up points at both ends of the pitch is highlighted by the fact that he has scored, assisted or produced a clean sheet in nine of Everton’s 11 league matches in 2013. It’s little surprise, then, that he’s risen to the top of the defender rankings in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) once again.
A recent suspension has seen Marouane Fellaini’s price drop from 7.8 to 7.4 over the last couple of Gameweeks but he’s sure to play a pivotal role over the next two fixtures. The Belgian had picked up in form prior to his ban, producing attacking returns in three of his previous five, and with five sets of double figure hauls at home already this term, will be confident of further returns – all the more so considering he has already scored and delivered maximum bonus against the Gunners this term. More than 91,000 FPL managers have already drafted him in ahead of the weekend, 68,000 more than second most popular Baines amongst Moyes’ men.
The versatile Leon Osman has picked up in ownership over the last two matches due to suspensions to others, though his recent displays have merited this extra attention, too – a couple of goals and five bonus points in his last five highlight the 6.5 priced midfielder’s form. While Steven Pienaar has proven the more popular of the pair since his suspension ended, the South African has produced attacking returns in just one of his last nine league appearances – with four sets of double figures to Osman’s two, though, his potential is more explosive.
Providing he can stay injury-free, Kevin Mirallas could have a major say in the Toffees Gameweek. The Belgian’s debut season has been hampered by hamstring problems but, having started seven of the last eight, is finally earning regular game time. Mirallas has now scored in three of the Toffees’ previous four Gameweeks and with seven bonus points also thrown in over that run, looks an enticing option at 6.8 – the downside, though, is his FPL classification as a forward, with Moyes preferring to utilise the new boy in midfield.
Cheeky Punt
With Nikica Jelavic woefully out of form and far from guaranteed a starting role, Victor Anichebe pops onto the radar. The Nigerian has now started each of the last three and, leading the line against Spurs last week, provided an assist in the 2-2 draw. Looking at his form over the season, Anichebe has proven more than reliable when handed a starting berth – he has featured in the first XI on 12 occasions this term and has scored or assisted in seven of those matches. At a mere 4.3 in FPL, he could be superb value over the double if Moyes keeps faith.
