Another Stephane Sessegnon strike keeps Paolo Di Canio bubbling on the touchline as the Black Cats see off Everton. The Gunners limp to victory at the Cottage as Olivier Giroud sees red. Peter Crouch returns to haunt the QPR faithful as he plays his part in the R’s downfall at home to Stoke, while West Ham’s flourishing form puts Wigan firmly in the mire. Here’s the Stock Check on another day of modest Fantasy returns.
On the Up
Stephane Sessegnon
This week’s Watchlist candidate took his place in our Scout Picks midfield and delivered the goods at home to Everton, clinching Di Canio’s first home win with a precious strike. The Benin International has been reborn following the arrival of the Italian and at 7.0 in the Fantasy Premier League and with good fixtures remaining, he continues to look a worthy differential for those brave enough to look beyond the temptation of double Gameweek assets.
Peter Crouch
Restored to the Stoke lineup after sitting on the bench for the last two, the former QPR striker punished his old employers with a goal and assist return in the win at Loftus Road. Crouch, like Stoke, has suffered an indifferent season but, with favourable opponents to come over the last four, he could yet add to his modest six-goal season tally to offer value on his 6.0 FPL price tag.
Andy Carroll
The big centre-forward proved an effective weapon yet again, as West Ham earned another three points with a comfortable 2-0 win over the struggling Latics. Carroll chipped in with the assist for Kevin Nolan’s 100th career goal: our Scout Pick selection has now scored or assisted in his last five home matches as his outstanding form continues.
Per Mertesacker
With rotation remaining a factor in Arsene Wenger’s back four, the big German once again looks to be a mainstay having returned from a one-match ban that saw him miss the recent win over Norwich. Mertesacker struck his third goal of the season to win the day at the Cottage and looks a strong candidate for maximum FPL bonus. The Gunners defence has conceded just three goals in the last six after today’s clean sheet.
The Southampton Defence
Mauricio Pochettino’s side battled to a draw at the Liberty Stadium to ensure that they remained unbeaten in six. The Saints rearguard has conceded just three goals in that spell, keeping three shut-outs to underline the value offered by the likes of Nathaniel Clyne.
Billy Jones
Those considering a West Brom defender for the approaching double fixture in Gameweek 36 will have noted that Jones timed his first league goal of the season perfectly. The cheapest option in the Baggies rearguard at just 4.4 in the FPL, Jones will doubtless earn some interest having started the last five at right-back, keeping Steven Reid benched.
Going Down
Olivier Giroud
Dismissed late on for dangerous foul play, having delivered for his owners in the double Gameweek, Giroud will now surely seal his Fantasy fate by missing the next three matches. Arsenal will be without Giroud for encounters with United, QPR and Wigan. It remains to be seen who will fill the void – Arsene Wenger’s decision could be significant with Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Gervinho all in line to benefit from Giroud’s absence.
Kieran Gibbs
Having been restored to the starting XI, ousting Nacho Monreal to the bench, today it was Gibbs’ turn to sit out with the Spaniard taking his place at left-back. Clearly, the full-back situation at the Emirates remains uncertain, although with Bacary Sagna starting ahead of Carl Jenkinson again today, he is perhaps looking a secure option and is the cheapest route into an improved Gunners defence.
Santi Cazorla & Theo Walcott
While the Arsenal defence continues to flourish, the pair of heavily backed midfielders again failed to deliver points for their expectant owners. Walcott has now fetched just two assists in his last six appearances, while Cazorla has returned in just one of his last seven league starts. With double Gameweek assets now drawing the attention, the case to sell on the Arsenal pairing is strong. With Giroud suspended, however, the situation could offer Walcott an opportunity to take up the central striking role again for the next three matches.
Michael Turner
Having scored in back-to-back matches, the towering centre-back suffered an injury early on in the Carrow Road encounter with Reading and was forced off on 11 minutes. Turner collapsed to the ground without contact and was quickly replaced having received treatment. We can only wait on news from the Norwich camp before assessing his chances of a return for Gameweek 35’s trip to Stoke.
Julio Cesar
The Brazilian stopper found himself on the bench as Harry Redknapp made five changes to his lineup following defeat at Goodison last time out. Sadly, it made little difference as the R’s slipped to a damaging defeat that surely spells the end of their top flight stay. Cesar, along with QPR’s other assets from back to front, appear to have little to offer Fantasy managers for the remaining matches.
Marc Wilson
Back in the Stoke lineup having recovered from a hamstring injury, the left-back suffered a recurrence on 61 minutes to be forced off and replaced by Andy Wilkinson. While Wilson’s owners will be thankful for the clean sheet, the former Pompey man will surely be a doubt for the home clash with Norwich in Gameweek 35. With Geoff Cameron relegated to the bench today, the budget options in the Stoke rearguard could well be cut for the run-in.
Liam Ridgewell
In contrast to Billy Jones, Ridgewell looks to be out of the frame as a consideration having been dropped to the bench to make way for Goran Popov at left-back today. It remains to be seen if West Brom’s defence tempts investment, given that their second Gameweek 36 fixture is a trip to the Etihad to take on City.
Rickie Lambert
Having dominated the budget bracket this season, the Saints hitman has now gone three without a goal and was replaced on the hour-mark at Swansea today. Team-mate, Jay Rodriguez has scored three goals and three assists in his last seven and is currently available for just 5.2. Lambert, with just two goals and an assist in the same spell and with more minutes, is struggling to keep pace.
FPL Bonus Predictions – Courtesy of the BAP Chap
Norwich 2 Reading 1 – R.Bennett 3, Martin 2, E.Bennett 1 (in the mix B.Johnson, Snodgrass)
Fulham 0 Arsenal 1 – Mertesacker 3, Koscielny 2, Szczesny 2
QPR 0 Stoke 2 – Crouch 3, Walters 2, Jerome 1, Begovic 1 (in the mix Whelan, Shotton)
Sunderland 1 Everton 0 – Sessegnon 3, A.Johnson 2, O’Shea 1
Swansea 0 Southampton 0 – Hooiveld 3, Cork 2, Williams 1 (in the mix everyone)
West Brom 1 Newcastle 1 – Gouffran 3, Jones 2, Cisse 1 (in the mix Brunt)
West Ham 2 Wigan 0 – Nolan 3, Jarvis 3, O’Brien 1
