As always, our regular Monday lunchtime piece assesses the weekend’s action as the likes of United and Cardiff hint at shoots of recovery, whilst City’s shock cup defeat against Wigan lessens their packed fixture schedule:
Chelsea are doing just fine for a team without any strikers..
Top of the league by seven points now, the Blues served up their most emphatic win of the season on Saturday evening by battering Spurs 4-0 at the Bridge. Eden Hazard may have only scored twice from open play in the last eight Gameweeks but Jose Mourinho’s side continue to move away from the chasing pack – last week Andre Schurrle was the hat-trick hero at Fulham, this time round Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba scored three between them as Chelsea took another step towards the title. With a defence that have conceded just four goals conceded in the last 13, Fantasy managers are being spoiled by Jose’s return to the Bridge – it makes you wonder just what next season will bring if he actually finds a striker that fits with his game plan.
Rooney’s finding his form..
While Robin Van Persie huffed and puffed and was subbed off without a single shot in United’s win at The Hawthorns, his strike partner stepped up for David Moyes’ side at the weekend. Rooney had notched just once in five appearances since returning from injury but a goal and assist served up the maximum bonus points in FPL to suggest he may just be set to return to the form that produced six double figure hauls in 10 appearances earlier in the season. With a double Gameweek 31 preceding an eye-catching run-in, Rooney could be back on our radars again.
United are showing signs of resilience…
The 3-0 win over West Brom helped United to a third successive league shut-out – incredibly, prior to Gameweek 28, they had failed to keep out their opponents in consecutive Gameweeks. With Nemanja Vidic edging towards the exit door, David Moyes has confirmed he’ll be looking to utilise the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans more often as he starts to plan with next season already in mind. United’s fixtures from Gameweek 31 onwards could well bring their backline into consideration.
Budget options at the back are being restricted…
The weekend’s five fixtures saw Fantasy managers potentially deprived of a couple of budget defensive options for the run-in. Calum Chambers had started 12 of the previous 14 league matches at right-back for Southampton but was moved to the bench against Palace as Nathaniel Clyne got the nod against his former club. In the same game, Jonny Parr was rested by Tony Pulis – similarly, his run of starts at left-back came to an end as Dean Moxey was drafted in. Both Chambers and Parr are available for under 4.0 in FPL but with question marks now hanging over their guaranteed game time, out options in that bracket look limited.
Solskjaer may yet save Cardiff…
The vital 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Fulham suggested the Bluebirds may still have enough fight left to beat the drop. Whilst Steven Caulker’s double from the back highlights his worth to the Cardiff cause, Solskjaer’s selection policy continues to frustrate further up the field – Jordan Mutch served up a 10-point haul in his first start since Gameweek 24, whilst Craig Bellamy and Wilfried Zaha warmed the bench as Fraizer Campbell was shifted to the left flank. Craig Noone looks the one attacking option that, when fit, is most likely to start in a midfield merry-go-round.
Fulham’s survival bid may rely on Mitroglou…
The Greek international failed to find the net in his first league start for the Cottagers but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Mitroglou had more attempts on goal and was also top for efforts inside the area in Gameweek 29 – Felix Magath may have concerns over the player’s ability to adapt to a relegation battle but he can ill-afford to do without the services of a striker who served up 17 goals in 19 appearances for Olympiacos prior to arriving in January.
Ince has quickly fallen out of favour..
The youngster’s immediate impact on his arrival at Palace looked to have handed Fantasy managers a valid budget option for our five-man midfields. Ince’s debut served up a goal and assist from the role in “the hole” but after a stint on the right in the Eagles’ next league match, he’s had to suffice with minutes off the bench. With Marouane Chamakh ruled out against Southampton due to a hamstring problem, Ince’s trickery looked the ideal weapon as Tony Pulis looked for a vital victory but, with Jason Puncheon returning to the right, Ince was handed no more than 25 minutes as Palace fell flat once again.
Hughton needs to wrap Snodgrass up in cotton wool..
The Canaries playmaker limped off against Villa in the previous Gameweek with a wrist problem – the fifth time this term he’s picked up an injury. Snodgrass recovered in time to serve up an assist in the weekend draw with Stoke, meaning he has now played a part in four of his side’s last five goals from Gameweek 22 onwards. Bearing in mind the Scot has missed eight of Norwich’s league fixtures already this term, Chris Hughton will be doing all he can to ensure Snodgrass steers clear of the treatment room – Norwich still have the fixtures firmly on side over the next five before a dire final four Gameweeks pits them against Liverpool, United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The schedule is catching up with City…
Yesterday’s shock home loss to Wigan in the FA Cup saw Manuel Pellegrini’s hopes of a quadruple finally brought to an end. City now attempt to reverse a 2-0 first leg Champions League deficit in Barcelona on Wednesday evening; fail to do that and they’re left with just the league to concentrate on. With 12 fixtures still to play in the final nine Gameweeks, City face a congested last couple of months – a potential exit from Europe would certainly help matters and lessen the likelihood of rotation as Pellegrini looks to roll out the big guns and address a worrying run that has seen his side score four times in their last five home games in all competitions.
