A week into the new season and already there is much to focus on ahead of the weekend. United’s reaction to the home humbling by Swansea, Manuel Pellegrini’s frontline for Monday’s meet with Liverpool, Southampton’s first St Mary’s match under Ronald Koeman, Tottenham’s attackers at home to QPR and Chelsea’s trio of big-hitters are all on Thursday afternoon’s menu.
The United reaction
Wayne Rooney made the bold statement that United’s season will start at the Stadium of Light this weekend but, after the limp defeat to Swansea, there’s scepticism that Louis van Gaal’s team can ignite. Sunderland are notorious giant-slayers under Gus Poyet and United arrive wounded and weakened by injuries. The North East cauldron is not a venue where big teams often revive their fortunes and, while owners of Rooney, Juan Mata and members of the United defence will hope for an improved showing, it remains to be seen if they have the weapons to earn three points and seal Fantasy spoils. Robin van Persie’s potential return will be a boost, but if the Red Devils fail to convince again, we could witness a fire sale.
Ince as a makeshift striker
With Hull reeling from the sudden departure of Shane Long and the news that new signing Robert Snodgrass will be sidelined for six months, suddenly the onus is on Tom Ince to produce. Thrust into a supporting striker role alongside Nikica Jelavic on the opening day, Fantasy managers were immediately alerted to his “out-of-position” potential. Classed as a midfielder and priced kindly at just 5.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Ince fired in three efforts on target at Loftus Road and will go into the KC Stadium encounter with Stoke carrying the burden of creativity and goals for the Tigers. With Snodgrass missing, Ince’s stock has risen and, while he’s unlikely to retain the role up front in the mid-term, as a short-term investment, with Villa and West Ham to follow, he looks viable. Tonight’s Europa League teamsheet will hopefully find him benched and rested in preparation for the weekend.
The new-look Saints at St Mary’s
Ronald Koeman’s side outplayed Liverpool for spells, defying opinion that they’d immediately struggle to recover from the startling St Mary’s exodus during the summer. Koeman appears to have bought well – with Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle lingering on our watchlists ahead of a promising home clash with West Brom. Those two will be our key targets to monitor, although James Ward-Prowse, with laser guided set-piece delivery, could promise decent returns on his modest price tag (5.0 in FPL) and is also worthy of some attention going into the Baggies clash.
Spurs with eleven men
While Mauricio Pochettino’s men earned the points at West Ham, their performance gave us little to go on in terms of Fantasy prospects. Losing Kyle Naughton after 28 minutes hardly helped their cause and meant that this new Spurs side looked to contain their opponents. The derby encounter with QPR will surely tell us more on the progress of Erik Lamela and the ability for Christian Eriksen to compete with a cast of midfield heavy-hitters. The Dane has suffered an immediate 23,000 net transfer loss this week, as FPL managers had their heads turned. Eriksen is capable of reversing that trend but will need to put in a shift on Harry Redknapp’s return to the Lane. Emmanuel Adebayor’s ability to offer a goal threat will also come under the microscope after last weekend’s false start.
Hazard vs Fabregas vs Costa, part two
Fabregas’ man-of-the-match showing at Burnley on Monday evening, allied with Costa’s debut strike, has already had a significant effect on Fantasy managers’ plans this week. Hazard has now been offloaded by 40,000+ after failing to find the net at Turf Moor but it’s worth remembering that he scored just four times on his travels last term – there’d be no surprise to see a return to form against Leicester at the Bridge this weekend. Another blank, though, coupled with further impressive displays from the new boys, could persuade many to alter their thinking on the best route into Jose Mourinho’s new-look side.
Check in Riviere and Cabella
A promising showing against City last weekend may have ultimately come to nothing but the Magpies attackers showed enough threat to suggest a turnaround is on the horizon. Newcastle fired nine shots from inside the box against the champions – only West Ham and QPR managed more in the Gameweek – and with a trip to Villa signaling the start of an excellent run of fixtures, Riviere and Cabella look ones to watch for Alan Pardew’s side. If Siem de Jong can recover from injury, the former Ajax skipper, at 7.0, could be the pick of the bunch, though.
Sigurdsson’s role at the Liberty
The bandwagon shows no sign of slowing after last week’s double-figure return at Old Trafford. Over 250,000 FPL managers have acquired Sigurdsson this week as Garry Monk’s side prepare to welcome Burnley, West Brom and Southampton in the next four – the perfect alliance of form and fixtures. The only concern is whether Monk will revert to the 4-4-2 trialled in Swansea’s final two friendlies as he looks to accommodate new boy Bafetimbi Gomis alongside Wilfried Bony up top – Sigurdsson’s 16% of owners will be hoping his display against United will have convinced his manager otherwise, with a role in the centre key to his Fantasy potential.
Pellegrini’s Forward Line
Sergio Aguero’s impact off the bench at St James’ Park already has Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic owners nervously awaiting Monday night’s teamsheet. Providing he proves his fitness, the Argentine will surely lead the line against Liverpool, leaving the latter two to tussle it out for the remaining striker’s spot. Alhough Aguero’s propensity for injuries could ensure Dzeko and Jovetic are handed pitch time as Manuel Pellegrini attempts to reduce his star striker’s time on the treatment table, a non-appearance for either against the Reds may convince their owners to look elsewhere in the mid-price bracket.
Palace’s Performance Under Millen
Let’s not forget that the Eagles’ first two clean sheets of the previous campaign were delivered under the caretaker manager’s guidance. Keith Millen ensured Palace provided an stubborn obstacle for Arsenal at the Emirates last weekend, suggesting their defence could yet be worthy of investment in spite of Tony Pulis’ departure – a home clash against West Ham affords Fantasy managers the chance to assess their options as the schedule turns kind for the London club.
