We cast an eye over the weekendโs nine fixtures and assess the lessons learned so far. City and Arsenalโs strikers, Stoke and Sunderlandโs form men and the players most likely to be snapped up amongst the relegated teams all find their way onto our regular Monday lunchtime radar:
Agueroโs injury concerns just wonโt go awayโฆ
The City striker is perhaps the only player who can currently compete with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge at the top of the scoring charts but can we risk investment next season? Limping off after notching the first of his sideโs three goals at Goodison, Agueroโs propensity for picking up injuries continues to limit his game time โ heโs started 19 of Cityโs 36 fixtures, with a trio of appearances off the bench. Frustratingly, his average of seven points per game is second only to Suarez but with Yaya Toure delivering 6.8 ppg and missing only three matches by comparison, many may decide to overlook the Argentine. When fit, thereโs no denying heโs a points magnet across the Fantasy games but time and again this term, Aguero has burned us โ will we show him the same patience in 2014/15?
Which means that City need Dzekoโฆ
With Alvaro Negredoโs early-season form long gone, the Bosnian has been more crucial than ever to Manuel Pellegriniโs title-chasers. Seven goals and a pair of assists in his last nine appearances, supplemented with 10 bonus points, underlined Dzekoโs form over the closing stages. When handed starts, heโs more than justify the erratic Fantasy investment that has come his way and, feasibly, could easily outscore Aguero over the final two matches โ even if the latter recovers in time for the midweek meeting with Villa. Pellegrini surely canโt afford to let Dzeko leave in light of his consistent showings.
And Arsenal may yet need Giroudโฆ
As we mentioned in this morningโs Scout Notes, the Frenchman sits just a single point behind Daniel Sturridge in the FPL forward standings, yet still sits at 8.5; his season starting price. While his role in the Gunnersโ XI will surely be under threat next season, he could justify a price hike having built on his first Premier League season โ Giroud has now accumulated 61 points more than last termโs haul. Now up to 16 strikes, heโd surely have flourished further if the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil remained fit and in form throughout the season.
Cardiff and Fulham are gone but some may not be forgottenโฆ
The two strugglers finally fell through the relegation trap door at the weekend, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Felix Magath no longer able to stave off the inevitable. The goal exploits of players such as Steven Caulker and Steve Sidwell will surely place the pair on Premier League shopping lists this summer after their successful personal campaigns. Us Fantasy managers will certainly hope to have them at our disposal as likely low-to-mid price options next time around, whilst Norwichโs likely relegation will have top-flight clubs eyeing up the playmaking talents of Robert Snodgrass.
Arnautovic will be on our pre-season radarโฆ
The big Austrian struggled for form during his first few months in the top-flight, as Stoke became accustomed to Mark Hughesโ change in playing style. Arnautovic delivered his highest haul of the season last weekend as the Potters condemned Fulham to the Championship and with three goals, four assists and eight bonus points, his strong end to the season makes him a potential mid-price midfield differential for the next campaign. A slight price hike looks likely but with the likes of Jon Walters and Charlie Adam no longer guaranteed a spot in the first XI, Arnautovic (as the recent draw at Cardiff suggests) looks first in line for spot-kicks amongst Hughesโ preferred starters.
As will Wickhamโฆ
Gus Poyetโs decision to recall the forward from a loan stint at Leeds look set to save Sunderlandโs season. Wickham has played a part in seven of the Black Catsโ last nine strikes, with five goals and a pair of assists in four appearances โ if, as expected, the Wearsiders seal their survival, heโll be firmly on Fantasy radars next time around. Whilst his outstanding form more than merits our interest, he has, nonetheless, racked up just 54 points this season with a couple of matches remaining โenough to keep him budget-friendly when the player price lists are rolled out again in July.
Hazard will remain an untouchableโฆ
Despite recent quotes from Jose Mourinho, yesterdayโs showing by Chelsea and Hazardโs cameo from the bench underlined the Belgianโs importance to the Blues. They will undoubtedly snaffle a world class striker with Diego Costa seemingly destined for the Bridge but, despite the presence of a genuine goal threat up front, Hazard is surely all set to remain one of the first names on Joseโs teamsheet โ provided his services are retained.
But Ashley Cole looks set to departโฆ
The left-back was in tears after the curtain came down on Chelseaโs final home match of the season, with John Terry lending him a shoulder to cry on. Coleโs emotions seem to indicate heโs poised to depart the Bridge and that Jose Mourinho will pursue a new left-back to contest Cesar Azpilicueta. That signing will be crucial for Fantasy managers โ we will already be lining up at least one Chelsea defender for their initial squads and any Mourinho signings at the back could shake things up and prompt a re-think. Ideally, weโd want them to wait onto the player price lists are out before looking at the domestic market โ potentially making long-term target Luke Shaw a bargain.
