As always, there are plenty of topics on our pre-Gameweek radar as we start to prepare for another round of fixtures. Nacer Chadli’s pitch time, Chelsea’s away displays, the budget showdown at Loftus Road and Christian Benteke’s showing against Leicester are all amongst our Thursday dinnertime menu.
Chadli’s minutes against the Eagles…
After missing the Gameweek 12 trip to Hull through injury, the Belgian has warmed the Spurs bench for each of the last two as Mauricio Pochettino places his faith in Aaron Lennon instead. Having scored six times in the first 11 outings, Chadli’s goal threat has been key for the north London outfit and Fantasy managers alike but his appeal looks in danger right now. Having earned just over half an hour off the bench at the Bridge last night, he’ll be pushing for a start once again but with Christian Eriksen offering an in-form alternative in the Tottenham midfield, another place amongst the subs for Chadli will surely be the final straw for his 15% owners.
Hazard and Costa on their travels…
With their top scorer suspended in midweek, the Chelsea winger netted for the fourth successive home match and finally forced him way past Cesc Fabregas in the Fantasy standings. Hazard is yet to convince away from the Bridge, though, whilst Costa has cut a frustrating figure on his travels, earning yellow cards in all five of his road trips. With City breathing down their necks and racking up the goals, the duo will need to step up their displays against a Newcastle side that have conceded just three times in the last seven. Given that Chelsea now have four away trips in the next six, Jose Mourinho needs his big–hitters to produce with more regularity outside of west London.
The Austin and Ings shootout…
The budget pair carry excellent form into their weekend head-to-head at Loftus Road. Austin has five goals and an assist in his last six, whilst Ings has netted four times and served up an assist over the same period – both have offered returns well beyond our expectations and with their defences looking vulnerable, they have the chance to cement their place as our cut-price forward of choice over the festive period.
Liverpool’s recovery as the Black Cats pay visit…
Brendan Rodgers’ side have registered back-to-back wins for the first time this season and are hinting at a return to form as Sunderland arrive at Anfield. The return of Lucas to the starting XI seems to have stabilised the Reds and saw Steven Gerrard, Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson all get amongst the goals in midweek. Aside from their midweek loss to City, Gus Poyet’s troops have looked tough to break down but another win for the home side may yet bring their assets back onto our radars.
Arsenal’s defence at the Britannia…
With three clean sheets in all competitions, the Gunners are finally hinting at a return to the form of 2013/14. Arsenal racked up 17 shut-outs last time around – second only to Chelsea – and the return of Laurent Koscielny seems to have steadied the ship in recent matches, suggesting they could be worthy of consideration again. Mathieu Debuchy’s imminent return could spell bad news for Calum Chambers owners and, at just 5.2, the Frenchman may well play his way into our plans once fully fit.
Benteke against the Foxes…
A first goal of the season at Palace on Tuesday could just be the spark the Villa forward needs. Up against a Leicester side with just one clean sheet in ten and devoid of suspended skipper Wes Morgan, Benteke is handed the perfect opportunity to notch again this weekend. With so much time spent on the sidelines, it’s easy to forget he scored 29 goals in the previous two seasons – another strike at the weekend could see him shake up our options in the mid-price bracket, with some excellent fixtures to follow.
Downing’s head-to-head with Siggy…
The duo sit second and fourth for chances created amongst midfielders this season and will be key to unlocking their opponents’ defences as the Hammers welcome Swansea to Upton Park. Owners will be looking for an improvement from the popular pair – Downing has just two home assists to his name, whilst Sigurdsson has blanked in every away match since Gameweek 1. Bearing in mind the Hammers have conceded just once in their last four at home, Siggy looks to have the tougher task here, whilst up front, Wilfried Bony’s form on the road is also a concern – he’s managed just three shots on target away from home all season.
Berahino’s form at the KC…
The West Brom youngster was a victim of his own versatility in midweek. Shifted to the left flank to accommodate Victor Anichebe up front, Berahino failed to score for the fifth successive Gameweek and with the likes of Ings and Austin offering in-form options in the same price-range, the 18%-owned Baggies forward could be on his last chance for many. A trip to Hull still offers hope of a turnaround but another blank or start on the wing should spark the exodus.
United’s assets at St Mary’s…
Slowly but surely, Louis van Gaal’s side are starting to click. Despite the loss of Angel di Maria and Wayne Rooney in midweek, United were still too strong for Stoke and racked up a fourth successive win ahead of their trip to Southampton. Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata grabbed a goal apiece in midweek, whilst Andre Herrera provided a second assist in a row – question is, can they really offer a viable alternative to the stricken Di Maria in the Red Devils’ midfield, though? The Saints’ fixture list is bad enough but with injuries also afflicting their prospects, Ronald Koeman’s side look up against it on Monday night and United could well take advantage.
