Reading and QPR drop down with whimper, while Chelsea ease past Swansea to boost their top four credentials. At the Emirates, Theo Walcott’s flying start is pegged back by an inevitable Robin Van Persie strike as the Dutchman earns United a point from the spot. Here’s the Stock Check on Sunday’s action…
On the Up
Theo Walcott
Walcott may have been denied the central striking role we all hoped for but, even from the flank, he was able to demonstrate his undoubted eye for goal. Today’s early opener was his twelfth of the season but his first since Gameweek 24. Having made nine appearances without a goal and with the double Gameweek looming, patience in Walcott was wearing thin but, suddenly, with the promise of a trip to QPR up next, his prospects have lifted considerably.
Robin Van Persie
Aside from the penalty award, Van Persie was largely contained by the Arsenal defence on his return to the Emirates. He still managed to find his sixth goal in four starts, however, courtesy of a first half penalty earned after he was felled by a rash Bacary Sagna tackle. There’s little doubt that Van Persie has benefited greatly from spot-kick duties recently relinquished by Wayne Rooney. He broke his goal drought from the spot at Stoke and has since returned to his consistent best in Fantasy terms. In contrast, Rooney is without a goal in five league starts.
Oscar
Back-to-back goals for the Brazilian boosted his profile ahead of Chelsea’s double Gameweek. Restored to the starting lineup having been rested, along with Juan Mata, in Basel, Oscar notched just his third goal of the season to remind us that, at 7.8 in the FPL, he could yet represent a worthy differential for matches against United and Spurs. His starting role for both fixtures is still in question, however.
Frank Lampard
The Chelsea stalwart came off the bench to replace the injured Ramires to fetch goal and assists returns and remind us of his appeal ahead of Gameweek 36. Thursday’s teamsheet for the return leg with Basel will offer a clue as to whether we’ll see Lampard feature over the double Gameweek – like Oscar, there is some doubt surrounding his involvement. Benitez has stated that Ramires has suffered a dead leg that will likely keep him in the frame – he expects the Brazilian to be available for Thursday’s tie.
David Luiz
The Brazilian was the hero in midweek and was duly retained in the starting lineup by Rafa Benitez, shifting to a midfield role alongside Ramires. Luiz has started eight of the last nine league outings, has the greatest goal threat amongst the Chelsea back four and offers an occasional out of position prospect. At 6.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), he remains the weapon of choice when considering the Chelsea backline.
Going Down
Branislav Ivanovic
The latest victim of the Rafa Benitez rotation policy, the Serb found himself relegated to the bench having started against Basel in midweek. Ivanovic remains the top owned Chelsea defender in the FPL with over 21% ownership – he has, however, been rotated with regularity, missing three of the last 13 league outings.
Demba Ba
Restored to the starting lineup with Fernando Torres making way after his European exertions, Ba again failed to take his opportunity. The Senegal striker has scored just one league goal since Gameweek 22 – that’s a single strike in nine appearances, during which Ba has started five times.
Ben Davies
The young left-back was replaced with ten minutes remaining as Neil Taylor was handed his first taste of Premier League action since his ankle injury last September. Michael Laudrup has suggested that he will give Taylor an opportunity before the season ends and those holding Davies for the double Gameweek will be concerned that their man could miss out in one of the two matches.
Chris Samba
The big defender missed today’s trip to Reading after suffering from a virus and a knee injury according to Harry Redknapp. Samba did, however, post on Twitter yesterday suggesting that he was fit to play. Regardless, those still holding Samba and any QPR asset will now surely be giving up the ghost having seen the R’s relegated, along with Reading, this afternoon. Rangers host Arsenal at Loftus Road next weekend, with those retaining either of Walcott or Cazorla, hoping for returns.
Bonus Predictions Courtesy of the BAP Chap
Reading 0 QPR 0 – McAnuff 3, Morrison 2, Green 2 (in the mix Bothroyd, Guthrie)
Chelsea 2 Swansea 0 – Oscar 3, Lampard 2, Terry 1 (in the mix Ba, Hazard)
Arsenal 1 Man United 1 – Van Persie 3, Walcott 2, Evans 1.
