Our final glance at the Gameweek gone by focusses on City’s left-back, the form shown by Gus Poyet’s Black Cats and the potential tactic of doubling up on Liverpool’s front two after Daniel Sturridge’s emphatic return from injury:
The Player
Experienced Fantasy managers have been here before with Aleksandar Kolarov. A goal and couple of bonus points in Gameweek 20 was followed by an assist, clean sheet and maximum bonus as City swept aside Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon and, as wildcards are wielded, the Serbian is back on the radar.
Already this week, Kolarov has risen in price from 5.3 to 5.4 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ahead of a weekend clash with Cardiff at the Emirates. Looking at the stats, there’s reason to believe this isn’t another false dawn – attacking returns in four of his last six starts suggests the City left-back has made a more than persuasive case for regular inclusion under Manuel Pellegrini. Furthermore, Kolarov has now started six of the last league matches for the Manchester club and finally seems to have edged ahead of Gael Clichy in the pecking order – the fact that the Frenchman has yet to register a goal or assist also bodes well for his rival.
There’s always a but, though, when it comes to the enigmatic Serbian. So often in the past he’s burned us and, whilst that current form affords us a rare degree of optimism over his Fantasy prospects, it’s worth noting that five of those recent six starts have arrived away from home. Indeed, ahead of a run of four home games in six, further analysis shows that Kolarov has started just one of the last six league games at the Etihad – perhaps a sign that Pellegrini reckons Clichy’s defensive solidity allows the midfield more leeway in front of their own fans. It was perhaps telling that Sunday’s clean sheet against the Magpies was City’s first in 10 games with Kolarov in the starting XI.
As always, though, the points potential on offer is undeniable. The Serbian’s attacking sensibilities have shown his acquisition can be worth a punt – on the other hand, the rotation that has blighted his prospects since arriving on these shores is never too far away. Having championed his cause on numerous occasions before now, we’d like nothing more than to see him finally develop into a bona fide Fantasy asset – if it all ends in tears, though, we somehow wouldn’t be surprised.
The Team
For some clubs, involvement in domestic cups can prove nothing more than an unnecessary distraction. For those near the bottom of the table in particular, an exit helps ease the schedule and allows them to fully focus on the all-important battle for top-flight survival. As their progress in the cups continues, however, Sunderland are gaining momentum and, as Saturday’s thrashing of Fulham confirmed, they are beginning to replicate their performances in the Premier League.
Their 4-1 win over the Cottagers was a third straight victory in all competitions for the buoyant Black Cats and takes their record to one defeat in nine games under Gus Poyet. Sunderland may sit second bottom in the league but there’s reason for optimism on Wearside – since taking the reins earlier this season, the Uruguayan has steered his side to wins over City, Chelsea, and United at the Stadium of Light, whilst they remain the only side to have taken all three points at Goodison so far.
Those home performances will be crucial in our assessment of their assets. Southampton, Stoke and Hull all pay visit in the next four and will surely promote interest in the likes of Vito Mannone and Phil Bardsley, at just 4.4 and 4.5 in FPL. Bardsley has already struck twice this term and, with four clean sheets in nine, Poyet’s side have been relatively steady at the back.
The weekend performance also brings Adam Johnson onto the radar alongside Ki Sung-Yeung. Underused by Poyet so far, Johnson had played just one of the previous eight Gameweeks ahead of the Fulham clash but his hat-trick and assist look set to nail down a regular berth on the right of his manager’s new 4-3-3 formation. Ki, somewhat cheaper at 4.8 to his team-mate’s 6.4, has now earned double figures in two of the last four – reports suggesting he could return to parent club Swansea this month need monitoring before snapping up the in-form Korean, however.
The Talking Point
Emerging from the bench with 24 minutes remaining of Liverpool’s match at Stoke, Daniel Sturridge wasted no time in getting back into his Fantasy groove. A goal and assist, supplemented by a single bonus point in the 5-3 triumph, quickly caught the eye of wildcard-wielding Fantasy managers and has already earned him a price rise this week.
Earlier in the season, Luis Suarez’ suspension allowed Sturridge the platform to establish himself in many a Fantasy front three. The Uruguayan’s return to action in Gameweek 6 forced a change of tactics, though, and the former Chelsea man found himself resultantly sacrificed. Back then, though, price was a crucial factor. Upon his return to action, Suarez was just 10.9 and Sturridge 10.0 – the trade from one to the other was an obvious decision, as Sturridge owners took the profit and ran.
Now, though, the pair set you back 13.4 and 9.2 respectively – a sign of their contrasting fortunes in recent months. Suarez’ exploits are almost certain to ensure he remains a permanent fixture in Fantasy squads from here on in and, with Sergio Aguero now confirmed as available for City, that third spot is looking crucial.
The Reds now have four home games in six to continue their push for a top four finish. With double-figure hauls in five of his last six at Anfield, Suarez owners will no doubt hand him the armband and be done with it but, whilst many are against the idea of doubling up on an individual club’s attack, drafting in Sturridge alongside Suarez has its merits in light of the upcoming schedule.
Few, if any, similarly priced forwards can offer Sturridge’s consistency – a goal or assist in 10 of 13 appearances fares well compared to Romelu Lukaku (10/17 for Everton), Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud (11/19) and City’s Alvaro Negredo (11/20). Sturridge’s 6.5 points per game also makes a persuasive case here. Given that only Suarez, Aguero and Wayne Rooney have exceeded that average over the season, it may well be time to call upon the “SAS” and double up on the Reds along with fit-again Aguero as we turn to the two most prolific sides in the Premier League in our quest for goals.
