Once again, thereโs plenty for Fantasy managers to ponder as we head towards next Tuesday’s deadline. Here are the scenarios and line-ups weโre keeping an eye on this time around:
Mirallasโ Form in the Middle
Since moving to the role in โthe holeโ, the Belgianโs attacking potential has taken a turn for the better. With Ross Barkley stuck in the Toffees treatment room with a toe injury, Mirallas has notched in back-to-back league games for the first time this term and is finally beginning to justify our show of pre-season faith ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfieldย . Owners of the misfiring Romelu Lukaku are looking for a way out in order to free up a space in our three-man frontlines but, with Villa, Palace and West Ham rolling up to Goodison in three of the subsequent five, investment in the Toffeesโ attack still looks a viable tactic. If Mirallas impresses against Liverpool, he may find himself subject to increased investment as a midfield option, allowing Lukaku owners to jump ship.
Vertonghenโs Impact on the Spurs Back-Four
Having trained with the Tottenham first-team all week, the Belgian played 60 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly and is set to return to action for Wednesdayโs home clash with City. Whilst a clean sheet isnโt expected, Vertonghenโs comeback is at least likely to indicate the central defensive pecking order under Tim Sherwood โ Vlad Chiriches and Michael Dawson have played every minute in the heart of the back-four since the departure of Andre Villas-Boas but one of the pair are set to drop out as Vertonghen reclaims his starting berth. With Younes Kaboul, Sandro and Paulinho also back in action on Thursday, we may get a better gauge of Sherwoodโs preferred first-team next midweek.
Johnsonโs Right-Back Replacement
Ruled out โindefinitelyโ by Brendan Rodgers after struggling to overcome a series of injuries, the defenderโs absence opens the door for a cut-price option at Liverpool. Granted, the Reds have hardly been the most resilient side but, with Kolo Toure lacking the mobility required to be utilised efficiently at full-back, fit-again Jon Flanagan (4.3) and Martin Kelly (4.1) are set to battle it out for a regular role in Johnsonโs absence and hand Fantasy managers another budget regular.
Sturridgeโs Role for the Reds
Daniel Sturridgeโs return to the Liverpool starting line-up saw Brendan Rodgers change formation in order to accommodate the fit-again forward last weekend. Liverpool started with a 4-4-2 against Villa but, after being outplayed in the middle of the park in the first 45 minutes, the Reds boss switched to a 4-3-3 to wrestle back control of the game. If Rodgers continues with a lone forward system, Sturridge may find himself out on the flank against Everton instead of alongside Luis Suarez through the centre โ such a scenario may see some reassess his acquisition, with plenty of forward alternatives stepping up right now.
Mataโs Impact on the United XI
With Jose Mourinho confirming Juan Mata is set for a medical at United earlier this lunchtime, the Spaniardโs imminent arrival at Old Trafford will hand Fantasy managers an immediate chance to freshen up their five-man midfields. Initially, though, injuries may determine where Mata is utilised โ if Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are still absent for the visit of Cardiff, the new boy is likely to be handed the role in โthe holeโ behind Danny Welbeck, thus affecting Adnan Januzajโs position within David Moyesโ starting XI. Given that the teenager has started seven of the last eight, Moyes may even look to ease the pressure for risk of burn-out, thus potentially depriving us of a budget midfield option, with the Spaniard tasked with providing the creativity instead.
Joseโs Teamsheet
Mataโs expected departure and Fernando Torresโs knee injury has resulted in increased Fantasy interest in Willian and Samuel Etoโo over the last few days. Willian has now started six of the last eight and, while the arrival of Mohamed Salah ensures the competition for places on the flanks remains just as intense, the 7.5-priced (0.4% owned) Brazilianโs recent displays suggest he remains in the driving seat. Etoโoโs hat-trick against United also brings him onto our radars at a time when that third forward slot looks more crucial than ever. Certainly, his chances of another start look good, bearing in mind Demba Ba has started just twice all season for the Blues โย if he gets the nod against West Ham next Wednesday, his 1% ownership could also make the 8.2-priced Cameroon international the ultimate of differentials.
Ozil and Giroud against the Saints
Subject to substantial sales over the last few days, both may be on their last chance for many a Fantasy manager. With a single assist in five, Ozil has been sold on by over 55,000 Fantasy Premier League managers โ more than any midfielder โ with team-mates Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla offering in-form alternatives amongst Arsene Wengerโs side. Giroud, meanwhile, is third most unpopular forward this week, with over 36,000 parting company in light of a record which has seen him score in just four of his last 16 league appearances. The duoโs prospects are boosted by the news that Dejan Lovren is out for Southampton at St Maryโs โ many may choose to hold as a result of the Croatianโs absence, but if the Gunners duo blank again, the exodus may pick up pace.
Chesterโs Defensive Replacement
A cut-price favourite around these parts, the Hull centre-half is sidelined for โat least six weeksโ after limping out of last weekโs loss at Norwich with his second hamstring injury of the season. Fantasy managers still holding winter wildcards may look for a cheap alternative route into Hullโs backline ahead of a kind run of matches which sees Steve Bruceโs side travel to Palace, Sunderland, West Ham and Cardiff and play host to Southampton and Newcastle in the next seven Gameweeks. Alex Bruce, with eight starts in the last nine, looks an obvious alternative at 3.9, though the likes of Paul McShane and Abdoulaye Faye (3.9 and 3.8) could come into contention as the Tigers boss looks to his fringe players to step up.
