After analysing the Goalkeepers and Defenders, we continue to focus on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) winter Wildcard season by turning our attentions to midfield.
When assessing the options, much, of course, depends on your planned set-up. Bearing in mind that Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas have outscored all forwards so far, there’s an argument for having a trio of big hitters amongst our five-man selection – a tactic that’s strengthened by the numerous budget-friendly options up front, allowing us to save the pennies to strengthen in the middle of the park.
Typically, though, a pair of premium options is the preferred choice. This allows us to spend big up front whilst picking up the mid-priced value options – Gylfi Sigurdsson, Stewart Downing and Nacer Chadli are all under 7.0 and sit in the top seven midfielders, for example. Meanwhile, Burnley’s George Boyd has conveniently offered a most viable option as a budget fifth midfielder to help promote this established midfield set-up.
The strikers haven’t quite played ball, however: the season has proved a bit of an anomaly when it comes to the output of the expensive forwards. The poor form and lack of explosive potential from most of the premium frontmen has persuaded some to reassess just how much they are willing to splash in the centre of the park. With only Sergio Aguero really justifying his lofty price tag in terms of reliable captaincy hauls, and with players such as Charlie Austin, Graziano Pelle, Wilfried Bony and Harry Kane all punching above their weight, striking that balance in terms of budget distribution is arguably trickier than ever.
Whereas our Keepers and Defenders articles looked at the prospects from now until the end of the season, we’re taking a more short-term approach here. Given that, by and large, most of our trades are spent on midfielders or frontmen, with our targets quickly changing in line with form, we shall assess the window of opportunity across the next 10 Gameweeks and cast an eye over the big hitters, mid-price contenders and budget-friendly bench-warmers for those on the lookout for a cheap fifth alternative.
The Heavy Hitters
Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott
With Alexis Sanchez the default Arsenal option for over 40% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, the little Spaniard remains firmly under the radar. After serving up four goals, an assist and eight bonus points in his last six league outings, Cazorla is arguably the Gunners’ form player ahead of five excellent home fixtures (STO, AVL, LEI, EVE, WHM) and trips to Palace, QPR and Newcastle in the upcoming 10 Gameweeks. Walcott returned to the starting line-up for the first time in a year during the weekend cup win over Hull, though there’s still concerns that Arsene Wenger will be cautious with his minutes until he’s up to full match sharpness. Ramsey grabbed a goal and assist in his last two before sustaining a hamstring injury last month and has an outside chance of returning to face the Potters this weekend – he’s now down to 8.6, just a little pricier than Cazorla’s 8.2. Throw Mesut Ozil into the mix and it’s fair to say the Gunners midfield could have a significant say in matters over the next few outings.
Eden Hazard
Top of the midfield standings, the Chelsea wide man remains far less popular than team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. Somewhat surprisingly, Hazard is owned by just 31% of FPL managers – only fifth amongst midfielders and a full 14% less than Gylfi Sigurdsson, for example, yet, after racking up four goals and three assists in his last seven, he is comfortably on his way to beating last season’s 202 points. Hazard has now scored in five of his last six at the Bridge and has proven a reliable captaincy contender in front of his own fans – with the consistent Fabregas less explosive, there’s an argument for carrying both in our five-man midfields as the league leaders look to bounce back from their surprise defeat at Tottenham.
David Silva
With Yaya Toure off to the Africa Cup of Nations and potentially out of the picture until Gameweek 26, Silva’s scheming in the centre of the park looks pivotal to the champions’ chances. Having served up four goals and an assist in his last four, the little Spaniard has now averaged 5.8 points per appearance – greater than Toure’s 5.1, for example, and inferior only to Alexis Sanchez and Hazard (6.4 and 6.2) amongst midfielders. With Sergio Aguero also due back imminently, Silva’s creative prospects certainly look on the rise as Manuel Pellegrini’s side attempt to steer themselves past Chelsea at the summit. Frank Lampard took his tally to five goals in just 372 minutes with a crucial strike against Sunderland last time out, and with Toure out of contention, at 5.4 he offers an alternative option for those unwilling to spend heavy on City’s midfield due to the impending return of Sergio Aguero.
Angel Di Maria
Emerging from the bench in the weekend cup win at Yeovil, the Argentine’s exquisite chipped finish brought him back into consideration during winter Wildcard season. Now down to 9.4 from a high of 10.2 in FPL, Di Maria sits in just 11% of teams as the Red Devils prepare for a kind run of upcoming fixtures that could easily extend their current 10-match unbeaten run. Louis van Gaal’s side entertain Southampton, Leicester, Burnley, Sunderland and Spurs over the upcoming 10 and with trips to the likes of QPR and Newcastle also included, Di Maria’s more budget-friendly price tag could appeal to those unwilling to break the bank for United’s strikers.
The Mid-Price Options
Nacer Chadli and Christian Eriksen
Back in the Tottenham first XI after a brief spell on the subs bench, Chadli has cemented a regular role once again by producing a goal and four assists in four appearances. There’s no denying his return has had an impact on Eriksen, though – the Dane has played a part in just one of Spurs’ nine strikes over that period, having previously scored three and assisted two of his team’s six goals without Chadli in the XI. Given that they’ve just hit Chelsea for five to chalk up a fourth win in five, Mauricio Pochettino’s team have certainly shown they are capable of producing, regardless of fixture difficulty, and at a price of 6.4 to Eriksen’s 8.2, Chadli’s budget-friendly appeal may persuade many to look his way.
Kevin Mirallas
Prior to limping off at Hull on New Year’s Day, the Everton midfielder had produced three goals and an assist in his previous six appearances. In spite of the Toffees’ toils, Mirallas’ somewhat selfish streak and share of dead-ball duties may be detrimental to the likes of Leighton Baines but, providing he can steer clear of further injury, he remains a valid option for our five-man midfields. With the Merseysiders’ defence struggling for any semblance of solidity, Roberto Martinez needs to quickly rediscover a winning formula as his side slip towards the drop zone, and at a price of 7.2, Mirallas has four home matches (MCI, WBA, LIV, LEI) and a trip to Palace in the next six to persevere. It’s also worth noting that he was handed a role in a front three as the Everton boss trialled a 3-4-3 during the first-half at the KC.
Philippe Coutinho
Over in the red half of Merseyside, the Brazilian has also been boosted by a change in formation. With Brendan Rodgers opting for a front three devoid of natural strikers, Coutinho has turned in his best displays of the season and earned returns in each of the last four. Indeed, the 7.6-priced South American has averaged six points per appearance since the switch to 3-4-3 and with Adam Lallana currently injured and Raheem Sterling sitting in over 32% of teams, his 3% ownership could prove an excellent differential ahead of upcoming clashes with Sunderland, Villa, West Ham and Everton. With Daniel Sturridge closing in on a return to fitness later this month, though, Sterling’s star will surely be on the rise again, after scoring just once since Gameweek 5.
Adam Johnson
Having played a part in four of Sunderland’s last five goals over the previous six Gameweeks, it’s fair to say the former City winger will be vital to their survival bid. Johnson ended last season with eight goals and six assists and, after a sluggish start, is starting to replicate those heroics after scoring in three of his last four appearances. Priced at just 6.0 and owned by 2% of FPL managers, Johnson – as shown in last week’s loss at City – also looks to be on spot-kick duties when Steven Fletcher is off the park. With five home matches (LIV, BUR, QPR, WBA, AVL) and a trip to Hull in the next nine, he has the chance to fire the Black Cats to safety.
The Budget Assets
Jon Walters
A 3-1 FA Cup win over Wrexham took the Potters’ run to four wins and two draws in their last seven across all competitions. Mark Hughes’ side are hitting their stride at the perfect time ahead of a run that pits them against just two of the top nine teams in the next 10 Gameweeks. With home clashes against QPR, Hull, Everton and Palace allied with trips to Leicester, Newcastle, Villa and West Brom, Stoke’s schedule is rated the kindest over that time frame by our season ticker and investment in their assets could be a wise move. With Victor Moses and Peter Odemwingie still injured and Marko Arnautovic offering little consistency, Walters – priced at just 5.2 – has delivered four goals and three assists from Gameweek 8 onwards and, sitting just two points behind George Boyd, offers a budget alternative to the Burnley man.
Wilfried Zaha
To an extent, the Palace midfielder is here by default. With Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie off on international duties, Alan Pardew chose to bench Jason Puncheon for his first match in charge and instead handed Zaha a role in the front three for a 4-0 win over Dover. Having won five of his final six home matches in charge of Newcastle, Pardew is seeking home comforts ahead of five Selhurst Park fixtures (TOT, EVE, NEW, ARS, QPR) in the upcoming nine, whilst visits to fellow strugglers Burnley and Leicester also look crucial. With a goal and assist so far, the 5.1-priced Zaha’s returns have been minimal so far but if he can continue to earn starts in a front three, his budget appeal may soon be boosted.
Stephane Sessegnon
Four assists in his last five appearances illustrate the West Brom man’s upturn in form over the festive period. The arrival of Tony Pulis looks likely to give the Baggies’ survival bid a real shot in the arm and, at a price of 5.7, the Benin international could be a real bargain if the former Palace boss can help him rediscover the type of displays that served up 161 points and 141 points in his final two years at Sunderland. Sessegnon has five home fixtures (HUL, TOT, SWA, SOT, STO) in the next nine Gameweeks, and with trips to fellow strugglers Burnley, Sunderland and Villa also over that period, the schedule certainly hands Pulis the chance to steer his new side up the table.
Leroy Fer
Aside from Charlie Austin, the 5.6-priced Dutchman has been the only QPR player to deliver the points in recent weeks. Fer has chipped in with three goals and an assist across the last eight rounds of matches and if the R’s are to address their poor away form, trips to Burnley, Sunderland, Hull and Palace in the upcoming ten hands them the perfect opportunity. Harry Redknapp’s side have some testing home encounters (MUN, SOT, TOT, ARS, EVE), but bearing in mind they’re unbeaten in the last seven at Loftus Road – including a 2-2 draw with City – there’s still reason for optimism.
George Boyd
The budget midfielder of choice around these parts has an outstanding upcoming schedule that may well persuade his owners to hand him a place in their starting line-ups. After scoring in each of the last two matches, Boyd has now four goals to his name for the campaign and, at a price of just 4.6, now has four excellent home fixtures (QPR, CPL, WBA, SWA) and a trip to Sunderland in the next seven Gameweeks.
Ahmed Elmohamady
Granted, he is occasionally used as a right-back when Steve Bruce decides to roll out a four-man backline. Thanks to his typical role on the right of Hull’s five-man midfielde, though, it’s somewhat surprising to learn that Elmohamady has outscored the likes of Burnley’s Boyd and Palace talisman Yannick Bolasie after earning 64 points in the first 20 Gameweeks. One of only two midfielders to have played every minute of the season so far, his next four home matches (NEW, AVL, QPR, SUN) are supplemented by trips to West Brom, Stoke and Leicester, handing Steve Bruce’s side the chance to continue their ascent up the table. At just 4.9, the Egyptian could be a handy bench-warmer to call upon in times of trouble.
Riyad Mahrez
Arguably the most in-form budget midfielder in the top flight, the Leicester wide man is, of course, currently on international duties with Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations. An early exit at the group stages could bring Mahrez back in time for Gameweek 23, though, and with a goal and three assists in his last six, he’s played a part in four of the Foxes’ five strikes over that period. At 4.9, he looks vital to his side’s survival bid and is worth monitoring once back on board.
