The Digest – Gameweek 26

We cast an analytical eye over last weekend’s fixtures this afternoon, evaluating the evolution of City’s fleet-footed No. 10, Liverpool’s defensive fortitude on their travels and the blank Gameweek headache.

The Player

David Silva’s brace in Manchester City’s 5-0 humbling of Newcastle city underlined his heightened goal threat this season. This is the first campaign in the Spanish playmaker’s Premier League career that he’s notched more goals (nine) than assists (seven); it’s also already his most profitable season in front of goal, eclipsing the seven strikes he accrued last term.

Among the highest scoring midfielders in the league this season, the former Valencia star’s nine-goal haul puts him on par with Christian Eriksen and Eden Hazard, and three shy of Alexis Sanchez’s 12 – although, it’s worth noting that Silva has clocked at least 330 fewer minutes than each of these competitors.

In light of Yaya Toure’s return from the African Cup of Nations, many Fantasy managers would have earmarked the Ivorian as the premier route into the Champions midfield – a fair deduction given his streak of six goals in eight appearances before international duty beckoned. However, Toure’s inferior tally of goals (seven) and assists (one) in near-identical minutes to Silva, and weightier price tag (10.7 to 9.4) has thrown up an interesting contest between the pair.

Certainly, pinpointing coverage for Manuel Pellegrini’s side has been afforded greater importance by the absence of numerous high-ownership players next Gameweek. With Chelsea and Tottenham’s blank forcing many managers to bench their big-hitters and field less illustrious back-ups, it’s no surprise to see that Silva has been granted an upsurge in new owners – over 31,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have already drafted him in since his 17-point haul against Newcastle, far more than any other player so far.

For now, Silva sits eighth among his midfield counterparts in the Fantasy ownership stakes, having been selected by 19% of managers but one look at the fixtures suggests that could be set to rise further. Although City’s next match-up – a trip to Anfield to face a resolute Liverpool defence – is potentially tricky, the following four fixtures (LEI, bur, WBA, cry) could see Silva wreak havoc as the champions chase down Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea at the top of the table.

The Team

After shipping 16 goals in their first eight away league matches, Liverpool have now recorded five clean sheets on the road for the first time in 30 years. The Merseysiders are unbeaten in ten and have accumulated 23 points out of a possible 27 in their previous nine fixtures as Brendan Rodgers’ side make a belated claim for a top four finish.

This feat is made all the more impressive when you consider that Rodgers has fielded the likes of Lazar Markovic and Jordon Ibe as wing-backs in a 3-4-2-1 formation, balancing the conflicting requirements of width and defensive cover. Liverpool will do well to maintain their newfound defensive resilience as they embark on a run of fixtures (MCI, BUR, swa, MUN, ars) that includes three of the Premier League’s current top four, though with Martin Skrtel in imperious form and Emre Can’s addition proving crucial at the back, there seems little doubt they can prevail. Frustratingly, Rodgers’ decision to bench Alberto Moreno at St Mary’s has lessened his appeal, though, and with Can classified as a midfielder, Skrtel looks the safest option here.

The Reds have been impressive going forward, too, netting five in their last two outings, but Daniel Sturridge’s restoration as a viable high-cost forward will have to wait a little longer – the former Chelsea striker wasn’t named in the starting line-up, having featured in their midweek Europa League clash against Benfica.

With attacking returns in two of his last four league appearances, Philippe Coutinho (7.7) edges ever close to relevancy in the mid-priced midfielder bracket, though fellow weekend scorer Raheem Sterling (8.4) has served up returns in five of his last seven now and, as evidenced by their 2-0 win at St Mary’s, the Reds have the form at both ends of the pitch to trump any fixture right now.

The Talking Point

One look at the ownership levels in the FPL game highlights the issues caused by Gameweek 27 blanks for the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and QPR. Two of the top four defenders (Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry), three of the top six midfielders (Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Christian Eriksen) and three of the top five forwards (Harry Kane, Diego Costa and Charlie Austin) are all affected, handing Fantasy managers a real weekend headache.

Heading into a double Gameweek 28, Spurs’ involvement in crucial domestic and European cup ties leaves us with rotation doubts. Allied to this, the north Londoners face two relatively kind fixtures in their double, so you’d expect boss Mauricio Pochettino to possibly rest a select few during the league ties. Whilst Kane’s 12 goals in 11 outings makes him virtually undroppable, Pochettino’s decision to bench Eriksen against the Hammers yesterday clearly backfired and will surely persuade his manager to start with the Dane as the north London club attempt to get their bid for a top four finish back on track.

With regards to Chelsea coverage, few will want to cash in on the FPL’s leading defender (Ivanovic) or midfielder (Hazard), though Costa may be deemed dispensable as more look to the in-form Aguero as an alternative, with the Argentine finding his stride again.

With our benches set to be fully tested, our struggle to field 11 active players has been further compounded by the declining favour of budget defenders like Patrick van Aanholt and Andre Wisdom, with the latter still sitting third (20.3%) among defender ownership rankings. Balancing our squads and keeping points hits to a minimum looks a tricky task, then, and navigating the options to ensure we take advantage of the next two Gameweeks could well prove critical to many a mini-league success.