With QPR’s home clash against Villa playing out the Gameweek later this evening, we cast an eye over events so far. Arsenal’s in-form wide man, Manuel Pellegrini’s tactical tinkering, Swansea’s over-reliance on a pair of Fantasy assets and Everton’s veteran are all on this lunchtime’s menu.
We need to consider making room for Sanchez…
After a slow start to life in the top-flight, Arsenal’s summer signing now sits just one point off the top of the FPL midfield standings after bagging both goals in the 2-0 win at Sunderland. Sanchez has already risen in price off the back of his weekend display, and with five strikes to his name, has found the net more times than any other midfielder, despite his manager’s cautious approach in the first few Gameweeks. Finally settled as a genuine heavy-hitter, he threatens to take Burnley apart at the Emirates this weekend, and with the schedule smiling kindly in his favour for a number of weeks to follow, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to overlook him.
Pellegrini needs to keep the 4-5-1…
Having swept aside Tottenham with Sergio Aguero as the lone striker in the previous Gameweek, Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to roll out a 4-4-2 proved detrimental to both Man City and the Argentine’s Fantasy owners alike. The champions improved once Edin Dzeko was withdrawn as Stevan Jovetic shifted deeper into midfield areas, and while the Bosnian’s opportunities look to have narrowed after the West Ham defeat, David Silva’s potential could be on the up. Having scored against the Hammers, the little Spaniard will be hoping to reprise the role in “the hole” behind Aguero if Pellegrini looks to tighten things up with a 4-5-1 at home to Man United this Sunday.
Carroll may need the Sakho injury to get a look in…
The big target man may be three weeks away from full fitness but it’s impossible to see just where he fits into Sam Allardyce’s new-look side. With Diafra Sakho racking up the goals and Enner Valencia’s versatility affording the Hammers an option to go two up top or play 4-2-3-1, as evidenced against City, Carroll may have to accept bench-warming duties once he’s back in contention. His only chance, perhaps, is if Sakho is sidelined with the shoulder injury that forced him off against City – we’re eagerly awaiting an updated prognosis, with further investment set to arrive the Senegal international’s way if he’s declared fit for the weekend.
We can trust Mourinho…sometimes…
The mind games continue. Granted, on Friday afternoon Jose Mourinho did insist that Diego Costa only had “a very little” chance of making it for Sunday’s trip to United and there was no real surprise when the striker’s name was absent from the 18-man squad after the hamstring/groin/illness issues. Still, you have to wonder – was Costa’s omission partly down to City’s loss at West Ham, with Jose content to play for a draw in his star striker’s absence?
Stop Bony and Sigurdsson and you stop Swansea…
Garry Monk’s side fired seven shots in the 2-0 home win over Leicester, with six coming from the ever-improving Wilfried Bony as he took his tally to four strikes in three. In midfield, Gylfi Sigurdsson has now assisted seven Swansea goals this term, and with Monk’s decision to drop Nathan Dyer to the bench further restricting the options on offer, the Swans’ options are becoming increasingly limited.
Mane knows his route to goal…
After his strike against Sunderland was overruled by the dubious goals panel, the Saints wide man took his winner at home to Stoke in the clinical and ruthless manner of a genuine goalscorer. Mane’s pace and predatory nature offer Ronald Koeman’s side something different to the more cultured Dusan Tadic, and like his fellow midfielder, he’s wasting no time in announcing himself to Fantasy managers – his runs beyond lone striker Graziano Pelle already look a key weapon to the Saints in the final third.
The Tigers need their defensive trio…
Hull’s return to a 3-5-2 in Gameweek 7 continues to reward Fantasy managers with defensive returns. Despite the fact that both Michael Dawson and Andrew Robertson missed out through injury, in addition to the loss of their first and second-choice keepers, Steve Bruce’s side continue to look far more resilient right now – a goalless draw at Anfield was their second clean sheet in three since shifting away from a four-man backline.
Eto’o is never too old…
The “old man” fired two smartly taken goals at Burnley to show he’s still got something to offer for the Merseysiders. Eto’o has been restricted to just two league starts this term but his impact against the Clarets could well persuade Roberto Martinez to retain his talents in the starting XI – as we saw on Sunday, this curtailed the pitch time of both Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku, though, and with Eto’o in such fine form, his manager faces a real dilemma as he looks for a third straight win.
The United teamsheet is getting crowded…
Only a few weeks ago, the injury situation was so severe it seemed Louis van Gaal was operating with an “if you’re fit, you play” policy. Ahead of Sunday’s trip to City, though, the United boss has almost too many options at his disposal. Wayne Rooney is back from suspension, Marouane Fellaini in the reckoning for starts after a goal and assist in the last two, whilst Adnan Januzaj has been given opportunities after a move to 4-2-3-1. With Radamel Falcao expected to be back in the frame and Michael Carrick edging towards a first-team return, Van Gaal’s selection is far from certain for the City trip.
