As always, there’s plenty for Fantasy managers to ponder as we head towards the weekend deadline. Here are the scenarios and line-ups we’re keeping an eye on this time around:
Pellegrini’s Teamsheet
Despite their overwhelming 5-0 win over Blackburn on Wednesday evening, it’s arguable that only three of the first XI (Jesus Navas, Fernandinho and Alvaro Negredo) will be retained for this weekend’s home clash with Cardiff. Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to rotate his entire defence for the Rovers tie adds further fuel to the notion that Aleksandar Kolarov is now City’s first-choice left-back – having scored or assisted in four of his last six starts, the Serbian has been drafted in by over 45,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers in a collective show of faith this week. City’s cup clash with West Ham on Tuesday suggests rotation looks likely again, though, with a single start in the last six home league games, there’s a school of thought which suggests Pellegrini prefers the stability of Gael Clichy at the Etihad instead. Up top, Sergio Aguero’s instant impact off the bench against Blackburn has already earned the Argentine a serious bandwagon but the form of City’s frontmen leaves Pellegrini with a decision to make. Both Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo have notched eight times apiece in the last nine and, with a home clash against Cardiff on the horizon, it remains to be seen whether the City manager will continue to ease Aguero into action or unleash him on the Bluebirds on Saturday afternoon.
Wenger’s use of Gnabry
The youngster has started back-to-back matches in all competitions on the Gunners right since the loss of Theo Walcott. Gnabry was given the nod to face Tottenham in the Third Round of the FA Cup then retained the role for last Monday’s trip to Villa – as we highlighted in yesterday’s Say What article, Arsene Wenger is clearly a fan. Priced at just 4.2 in FPL, Gnabry could prove outstanding value if his manager keeps the faith for the home clash against Cardiff – three straight starts would surely see the bandwagon pick up pace.
Liverpool’s Formation with Sturridge Back
Last week saw Steven Gerrard handed a new role in front of the back-four in his first start since Gameweek 15, with Lucas and Jordan Henderson positioned further forward in the centre of the park. Fit-again Daniel Sturridge’s goal and assist off the bench looks more or less certain to bring him back into the Reds’ XI after a couple of months on the sidelines but, given his side’s success with a lone forward system, Sturridge may be forced onto the right of the 4-3-3 system if his manager is unwilling to rip up the blueprint and return to 4-4-2.
Carroll’s Game Time
It was better late than never last week as the big centre-forward finally made his first appearance of the season. Carroll was handed less than 15 minutes away to Cardiff by Sam Allardyce, yet instantly showed how crucial he will be to West Ham’s survival bid by picking up an assist for Mark Noble’s late strike. The fixtures are very much in the Hammers’ favour – four home games (NEW, SWA, NOR, SOU) and a trip to Villa in the next six – and if Carroll gets the nod to start against his former club on Saturday, there’s a few Fantasy managers out there already eyeing up his transfer in.
Benteke’s Confidence
A goal against Arsenal on Monday evening finally ended the Villa forward’s barren streak and already has manager Paul Lambert hoping history repeats itself. Without a goal since Gameweek 4, Benteke has been cast aside by Fantasy managers after both injury and a loss of confidence quashed his Fantasy potential, but a look at his displays from 2012/13 highlight just why Lambert is optimistic. The Belgian scored 14 of his 19 league goals from January 1 onwards last term and, with his self-belief on the up, he’ll be hoping to embark on a similar run – a trip to Anfield is next, where Benteke bullied the home defence into submission and bagged a brace in his debut campaign in the top-flight.
Mel’s Shake-Up of the Baggies
A Monday evening home clash with Everton allows West Brom’s new manager the chance to grab Fantasy managers’ attention. The Midlands outfit have managed a just a solitary clean sheet in the last 11 Gameweeks and have also registered a single victory over that run of matches but, with his side sitting just three points above the drop zone, the former Real Betis boss has little time for a settling-in period. With a mere 2.7% ownership, Nicolas Anelka is the most popular West Brom player in the FPL game – a clear sign of the lack of faith in their main assets so far. The likes of Stephane Sessegnon and Morgan Amalfitano will be hoping to rediscover the form that saw both players briefly dazzle upon their Hawthorns arrival, whilst Fantasy managers will be hoping Mel hands young Saido Berahino the chance to impress up top – with a price tag of 4.6, his budget appeal may well be set for a boost under the new man in charge.
Jelavic’s Start at Hull
Forced down the Everton pecking order by Romelu Lukaku, the Croatian’s move to the KC Stadium is partly with the upcoming World Cup in mind, as he looks for regular football to keep himself on the international radar. A run of starts looks on the cards, then, as Steve Bruce strengthens a strike-force that has notched just five times all season. Whilst many may baulk at 6.9 for a Hull forward, Jelavic has Norwich, Palace and Sunderland in the next four to tempt us and return to the form which made him such a devastating Fantasy asset in the second half of the 2011/12 campaign.
Bony’s Liberty Form
Finally nailed on as Swansea’s lone striker, the big Ivorian now has three home matches in four to remind us just why Michael Laudrup splashed out £12m for his services last summer. A New Year’s Day double against City was followed by a cup winner at United as Bony hinted at the form which took the Eredivisie by storm last term and, as the statistics show, he remains a viable option for as long as his manager retains him in the first XI – particularly at the Liberty. Over his last four home starts, Bony has scored five times and earned 34 FPL points and, with Spurs, Fulham and Cardiff all paying visit over the short-term, the 7.3-priced, 3%-owned Ivorian could be a canny acquisition.
