With 15 matches taking place over the Gameweek, there are plenty of scenarios for us to keep an eye on. Liverpool’s midfield diamond, the Gunners’ resilience at the Bridge, City’s in-form midfielders and David Moyes’ teamsheet are all eagerly anticipated as the schedule starts to pick up pace:
Arsenal’s Stamford Bridge Solidity
The Gunners sacrificed possession for solidity at White Hart Lane, uncharacteristically surrendering the ball to Spurs but repelling their attacks on their way to a thirteenth clean sheet of the season. Without the options of Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, Arsene Wenger looked to the promptings of Tomas Rosicky, whilst relying on his back four to help earn the precious points. A similar scenario at Stamford Bridge looks on the cards. Like the home side, the Gunners lack the firepower up front and will likely set themselves up for a midfield battle with Mathieu Flamini perhaps called upon to add further steel in the engine room. With a Gunners double Gameweek also including a home game with Swansea, there should be no hesitation in fielding our Arsenal defenders, while owners of Eden Hazard will have to hope for an early breakthrough in Saturday’s clash to prevent it from becoming an battle of attrition, lacking in clear cut chances for either side.
The Mirallas Minutes
It’s almost becoming a weekly pursuit. The options available to Robert Martinez look set to rob us of Kevin Mirallas as a viable option from here on in. Withdrawn on 62 minutes against Cardiff, the Belgian looks unlikely to start both double Gameweek fixtures, leaving us looking to compatriot Romelu Lukaku for any real security amongst the Toffees attacking charges. With Gameweek 34’s double beckoning, we’ll be looking on to see if there is still potential in Mirallas but, in all truth, he looks consigned to being a risky differential rather than an assured asset for Everton’s remaining fixtures. Roberto Martinez confirmed earlier today he expects Steven Pienaar to be out for two to three weeks with a knee problem, though it’s debatable whether that makes any difference to Mirallas’ minutes, given that the South African’s absence last weekend had no positive effect.
Silva’s Form as the Toure Alternative
City’s playmaker has now earned back-to-back Fantasy Premier League price rises following his double figure haul at Hull City. A strike against Steve Bruce’s side was his first league goal since December 14 – team-mate Yaya Toure has returned five goals in the same spell. There’s no doubt that owners of the Ivorian will be holding and going into City’s double Gameweek confident that their man will produce, although Silva’s new owners will be optimistic the Spaniard can keep pace. Silva does, at least, look assured of his starts against Fulham and at Old Trafford and, with Sergio Aguero remaining an uncertain participant, we are left to assess Edin Dzeko’s appeal or opt for Silva as the alternative to the Toure option. His Gameweek 31 performances and match-up with Toure should tell us whether Silva is a short-term acquisition or a genuine asset for the season run-in.
Villa’s Season Run-in Potential
The late win over Chelsea followed on from a 4-1 mauling of Norwich and suggest that Paul Lambert’s side could yet replicate their form of last season’s run-in. The midlanders lost three of their last eight, suffering defeats to Liverpool, United and Chelsea but still scored 16 goals in those eight matches as Christian Benteke ran riot. Villa are a classic case of a side bereft of relegation of concerns and playing with a freedom and lack of fear that could earn them results. Lambert will likely continue to put faith in the 4-3-3 and his Belgian striker could yet be a handy differential for a remaining schedule that has them face Fulham, Southampton and Hull at home, with a double fixture in Gameweek 37. This weekend’s clash with Stoke could bring a third consecutive victory and will act as a barometer to their form and potential for the run-in.
Big Sam’s Back Four
The Hammers boss chose to shake things up at Stoke, recalling Winston Reid alongside James Tomkins and relegating James Collins to the bench. It seem an odd decision given Collins’ recent showings but maybe Allardyce was always looking for a reason to call on Reid and the 1-0 defeat to Everton, plus Stoke’s threat, proved enough to persuade him. Either way, he immediately announced he regretted the tinkering, suggesting that Collins will find his way back in the West Ham lineup for the double Gameweek fixtures with United and Hull.
Still time for Michu?
The Spaniard’s introduction from the bench against West Brom was his first league appearance since December 15 – given Swansea’s current malaise, he could hardly have timed his return better. Gary Monk has underlined that his side cannot rely on Michu’s goals but he will know that, if fully fit, the rangy midfield raider has the ability to provide the cutting edge that can see his side scramble free of danger. Fantasy managers will look on his pitch time in Gameweek 31 with some interest – Michu could prove to be a midfield differential with the potential to explode over Swansea’s run-in – a schedule that has them face Norwich, Hull, Villa, Newcastle, Southampton and Sunderland from Gameweek 32 onwards.
Sterling or Coutinho in the Rodgers diamond?
The Liverpool boss seems set on the midfield diamond recently deployed to great effect at Southampton and Old Trafford. That’s seen both Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling rotate on the apex of the formation, casting uncertainty over their pitch time going into Liverpool’s double Gameweek. Sterling is undoubtedly the major concern – a superb value option at just 5.9 in the FPL, he could well lose minutes to Coutinho, with some perhaps preferring to look to Jordan Henderson for mid-price midfield coverage in Rodgers’ goal-rushing outfit. We can only wait to see how the Liverpool boss shuffles his playmakers.
Moyes’ Reaction to Wednesday’s Win
Last night’s 3-0 win over Olympiacos will have given David Moyes some breathing space but he also further options to consider ahead of a trip to Upton Park and a Manchester derby in Gameweek 31. Ryan Giggs’ display will surely bring him into contention for game time and with Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia also back in the picture, Adnan Januzaj would seem likely to struggle for starts in either of the league fixtures. Further up the pitch, much may depend on the outcome of the knee injury that saw Van Persie stretchered off at the end after a three-goal haul brought him back onto Fantasy radars. While Wayne Rooney’s owners will be concerned by a shift to the left flank for much of Wednesday’s tie, a potential absence for the Dutchman would likely hand Rooney the advanced forward role and may persuade Moyes to draft Juan Mata into the centre, allowing the Spaniard his preferred position after a series of ineffective displays out wide. If fit, though, Van Persie’s performance served a reminder that, on his day, he has the armband potential to match anyone.
