We’re ten fixtures down with five still to go but the double Gameweek has already served up enough talking points for us to analyse in Monday lunchtime’s regular:
The dead-ball can be a decider…
This season, more than ever, penalty duties have played a major part in the Fantasy pecking order. Three of the top four midfielders have benefitted from spot-kicks, with Yaya Toure’s pair of penalties against Fulham following on the back of a similar display from Steven Gerrard the week before. Toure has now converted five spot-kicks with first choice taker Sergio Aguero off the field and, with free-kicks also supplementing his Fantasy returns, the 16-goal Ivorian – who had previously never notched more than six times in the league – has emerged as a true heavy-hitter. Gerrard has also been a major benefactor. Despite missing one at Old Trafford and handing Daniel Sturridge the chance to net in January’s Merseyside derby, the Liverpool captain has still scored eight times from the spot, whilst Eden Hazard’s stock has risen further in recent weeks due to Frank Lampard’s continued lack of game time. The Belgian has found the net in only three of his last 10 league matches – each time, he’s supplemented his Fantasy haul with a converted penalty.
Although Suarez doesn’t need set-pieces..
The Uruguayan’s hat-trick at Cardiff took his tally to 28 goals in just 25 appearances for the season – with not a single spot-kick needed to boost his prospects as a Fantasy phenomenon. Under Brendan Rodgers’ guidance, Suarez is simply unstoppable, and despite missing the first five games through suspension, he has now equalled Liverpool’s record for goals in a Premier League season. With eight games left, he needs four more strikes to beat the top-flight record for goals in a 38-game season – jointly-held by Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo, with 31 apiece. Given that both players achieved this with the help of spot-kicks, it merely underlines what a special season the South American is treating us to.
Stoke are an unlikely form side…
Singled out in a recent Digest article, the Potters are going from strength to strength as the season unfolds. Mark Hughes’ side have been beaten just once in the last eight Gameweeks – a narrow 1-0 loss at City – in a run which has seen them defeat United and Arsenal at the Britannia before serving up emphatic wins over West Ham and Villa in the previous two. The Staffordshire outfit had failed to score more than two goals prior to the 3-1 triumph over Sam Allardyce’s side, but they’ve managed this in each of their last two. Hughes has been without the suspended duo of Charlie Adam and Jon Walters for each of those matches, but with the likes of Peter Odemwingie, Peter Crouch and Marko Arnautovic all starting to hit their stride, the Potters’ main Fantasy assets could be set to benefit from an eye-catching run-in.
Eriksen is back in favour and on the radar…
Three goals and three assists in his first nine league games under Tim Sherwood were not enough to keep the Dane in the Spurs first XI. Dropped by the new man in charge in Gameweek 26, Eriksen failed to play a single minute of the following four before a return to the starting line-up for last week’s north London derby. With Emmanuel Adebayor sidelined though injury yesterday, Eriksen’s two goals and an assist in the 3-2 win over Southampton showed Sherwood he can ill-afford to overlook his talents. Now down to just 6.5 in Fantasy Premier League, the summer signing from Ajax could be set to have a major say in the run-in – from Gameweek 33 onwards, Tottenham have the schedule which could yet help Sherwood clinch that Champions League spot.
Mutch is untouchable as the Bluebirds option…
The Cardiff midfielder has stayed mainly under the radar this season due to a lack of consistent game time. Mutch was afforded just five minutes of the opening five Gameweeks by former manager Malky Mackay and has flitted in and out of Ole Solskjaer’s plans since the Norwegian took over but Saturday’s brace against Liverpool took his tally to six goals and six assists in just 19 league starts. The likes of Craig Noone and even Wilfried Zaha have garnered recent attention but it’s clear that if Mutch (priced at a mere 4.5) can nail down a starting berth under Solskjaer, he can still offer us a belated budget option.
Moyes may just have eyes on European salvation…
The United boss rang the changes at West Ham, with Patrice Evra’s upcoming Champions League suspension clearly a factor in the decision to start Alex Buttner at left-back. Sitting 11 points behind fourth spot, Moyes’ side are more or less out of the race to qualify for Europe’s top competition next term – unless they win the trophy this year. Granted, given the form of quarter-final opponents Bayern Munich, this looks unlikely, but Moyes’ Upton Park teamsheet shows he already has one eye on the pair of showdowns with Pep Guardiola’s side. Bearing in mind the first-leg arrives just three days after next Saturday’s home game against Villa, can we expect further changes? Moyes could decide to preserve Wayne Rooney in light of Robin van Persie’s knee injury, though Juan Mata’s place looks safe, given that he’s ineligible for the competition.
There’s no predicting the Martinez midfield…
The Toffees boss switched two of the attacking trio situated behind Romelu Lukaku for Saturday’s home clash with Swansea, with Gerard Deulofeu and Leon Osman dropping out. Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley both earned their minutes and subsequent Fantasy points against the Swans but, after being handed limited game time off the bench, Deulofeu and Osman may be expected to figure more prominently for the midweek trip. With Everton set for another double in Gameweek 34, this looks likely be a weekly lottery from here on in as Martinez utilises his numerous options in the attacking areas in his attempt to clinch a top-five finish.
