A heart-breaking own goal earns Spurs a point at the DW and leaves Wigan teetering on the brink of relegation ahead of the double Gameweek. Elsewhere, Romelu Lukaku returns double figures ahead of his two fixtures, Gareth Bale scores again, stirring up assist controversy in the process, while Samir Nasri, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero offer a nudge to Fantasy managers ahead of the City double. Here’s the Stock Check on the day’s events so far…
On the Up
Romelu Lukaku
An outstanding and somewhat unlikely big return from the Belgian promoted his stock considerably ahead of the Baggies double Gameweek and again underlined his importance to Steve Clarke’s side. A goal and two assists today brought him only his third double figure haul of the season but, with 14 goals and 7 assists to his name, he looks primed for some double Gameweek profit if Clarke keeps him in his starting XI for the two fixtures.
Emmerson Boyce
Hero, turned villain, Boyce delivered his first attacking returns since Gameweek 20 but then conspired to punish his patient owners with an unfortunate late own goal to strike a crucial blow to Wigan’s survival hopes. At 4.7, Boyce’s potential to earn attacking returns may yet lure investment, despite his late intervention.
Callum McManaman
McManaman is doing his best to drown out the controversy of his challenge on Massadio Haidara back in March and today’s strike emphasised his potential ahead of Wigan’s two Gameweek 36 fixtures. At just 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), he could yet earn some attention from those looking to load up their squad.
Gareth Bale
There is little left to say on the Welshman’s consistency. Today’s goal was created for him by abject Wigan defending but Bale was again on hand to capitalise and notch his tenth goal in as many league starts; he may yet earn the assist for the late equaliser, with the goal likely to be reviewed in the next 48-hours. Bale’s potential as a reliable armband candidate to rival Robin Van Persie goes on blossoming: he looks essential for Gameweek 36.
Yaya Toure
The Ivorian slapped his CV before us ahead of the double Gameweek courtesy of his first league goal since Gameweek 27 – his sixth of the season. Toure is very rarely explosive but would seem assured of starts in the City engine room – a factor that could well bring him a horde of new owners for the matches against Swansea and West Brom.
Sergio Aguero
We needed a start from Aguero to be assured of his potential ahead of Gameweek 36 and we got it, along with an eleventh goal of what’s been a frustrating season. With over 20,000 investing ahead of this weekend, it’s likely we’ll see further interest over the next week, particularly from those who resisted acquiring Carlos Tevez to this point.
Samir Nasri
Nasri’s form warrants our attention. He’s now returned goals or assists in four of his last four league appearances and, having started the last five, Nasri’s role now looks fairly safe. Priced identically to Toure in the FPL at 8.0, Nasri may not be quite as secure, but looks to have the edge when it comes to the potential of attacking returns.
Andy Carroll
The Geordie’s run of form rolls on with a last minute strike to take Carroll to seven for the season. He’s scored six of those goals in his last ten starts. Indeed, following today’s goal, he has returned attacking points in seven of those last ten matches. If he can settle next season and hint at early form, he could well be a handy mid-price asset.
Guy Demel
The West Ham full-back’s uncanny ability to fill the gaps between clean sheets continues. Demel has either gathered a clean sheet or an assist in five of his last six league starts to reward those who have held and started the 4.1 defender.
Jermain Defoe
Earning a start ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor, Defoe came out of the trip to the DW without returns but with improved prospects and potential for the double Gameweek to come.
The Stoke Defence
A second consecutive clean sheet, a third in the last six, suddenly Stoke have managed to grind out results when their need became desperate. There remains problems for Fantasy managers shopping in the Britannia budget bracket, however, with Marc Wilson absent with a hamstring today and Andy Wiilkinson scraping a clean sheet by a single minute as he was replaced by the benched Geoff Cameron on the hour-mark.
The Everton Defence
David Moyes’ rearguard have conceded just three goals in their last seven, keeping five clean sheets in the process. Today’s returns again rewarded those who held Baines from the Gameweek 33 double, although with Liverpool and Chelsea to come, many will now be considering an exit route with double Gameweek assets taking priority.
Going Down
David Silva
Back in the side after a recent ankle knock, Silva failed to get in on the act in the 2-1 win and has returned just a goal and two assists in his last nine league appearances. With Toure and Nasri offering value and doubts lingering on Silva’s chances of earning two starts, many will be looking elsewhere in the City ranks for Gameweek 36.
Matija Nastasic
The Serbian seems caught in a continual cycle of rotation, having started three of the last six. Injury has played some part but, today, Nastisic was dropped to the bench to allow Joleon Lescott a start. The chances of Nastasic starting both double Gameweek fixtures to offer value at 5.3 in the FPL, look slim.
Joe Hart
Troubled by a back injury which looked culpable for Carroll’s late goal, Hart will give his Fantasy owners a scare this evening, although David Platt has revealed post-match that he expects a recovery from Hart in the next 24-hours to offer immediate reassurance.
Maynor Figueroa
Stretchered off following a challenge on Defoe. The Honduran has reportedly suffered a groin injury, making him a doubt for Wigan’s double Gameweek fixtures and the FA Cup final with City.
Dimitar Berbatov
Without a goal in five league starts, the Bulgarian lasted just 29 minutes at Goodison today before making way with an injury. If his remaining owners were in any doubt about shedding him ahead of Gameweek 36, this latest setback could well push them into action. Matin Jol has stated post-match that it could be a tear in his calf which could keep Berbatov out for two weeks.
Marouane Fellaini
With Darron Gibson sidelined, Fellaini again dropped to a conventional central midfield role alongside Leon Osman. That didn’t prevent him registering more goal attempts than any other player in the match, however. Even so, Fellaini is without a goal in his last five league starts.
Bonus Predictions Courtesy of the BAP Chap
Man City 2 West Ham 1 – Yaya Toure 3, Nasri 2, Zabaleta 1 (in the mix Aguero)
Everton 1 Fulham 0 – Pienaar 3, Coleman 2, Baines 1 (1 is quite open)
Southampton 0 West Brom 3 – Lukaku 3, Fortuné 2, Long 1
Stoke 1 Norwich 0 – Crouch 3, Adam 3, Begovic 1 (Begovic maybe by default, no one wants it)
Wigan 2 Tottenham 2 – McManaman 3, Boyce 2, McCarthy 1 (in the mix Bale)
