Gameweek 33 may have offered us just seven matches but there’s much to discuss, as always. Chelsea’s onus on defence, Leighton Baines’ lack of spot-kicks, Leicester’s momentum for the double and Sergio Aguero’s return to form are all amongst our lunchtime topics.
Jose’s happy to park the bus….
After serving up a 1-0 win at QPR courtesy of a single shot on target, Chelsea afforded United 71% possession for Saturday’s showdown at the Bridge. Prior to their trip to Loftus Road, the league leaders had two clean sheets in eight but have chalked up back-to-back shut-outs as they close in on the title. With doubts still hovering over their options up front, Jose Mourinho is clearly willing to shut up shop and grind out the results right now – aside from Eden Hazard, his defence looking the likeliest source of points for the double and beyond.
Baines’ spot-kick taking days look over….
After stepping aside for Kevin Mirallas when the Toffees were awarded a spot-kick back in Gameweek 22 against West Brom, it was assumed that Leighton Baines would be reinstalled as Everton’s number one penalty-taker. Saturday’s win over Burnley dispelled that theory, though. Instead, Ross Barkley – like Mirallas before him – stepped up to miss from 12 yards against Burnley, while Roberto Martinez’ post-match comments, confirming Romelu Lukaku as the club’s preferred penalty taker, puts Baines further back in the queue. With five of his seven goals over the last two seasons arriving from the spot, the left-back may struggle to stay in the Fantasy frame next time around, with Seamus Coleman’s superior threat from open play threatening to usurp him.
We can’t write Pulis off….
Rolling up to former club Palace after conceding ten goals in the previous three, West Brom were written off by many as the hosts looked for a fifth straight win. Instead, Tony Pulis served a reminder of his ability to bring in the defensive points with a backs-to-the-wall performance at Selhurst Park which all but clinched the Baggies survival for another season. Since the Welshman arrived at West Brom in Gameweek 21, they’ve racked up seven clean sheets – only Liverpool (eight) have managed more. With Brendan Rodgers’ side up next, in addition to clashes against United, Chelsea and Arsenal, though, Pulis has his work cut out to improve upon that record.
Leicester are building momentum….
Whilst Jamie Vardy failed to justify the show of faith shown by 64,000 + FPL managers and David Nugent succumbed to a calf complaint, the Foxes’ will-to-win was still enough to overcome Swansea. Nigel Pearson’s side racked up a third straight victory as the double approaches, with Esteban Cambiasso and Leonardo Ulloa leaping onto our radars by earning returns in each of the last three and two Gameweeks respectively. Pearson’s ability to move between three and four-man defences also seems to have given his side an extra weapon in their bid for survival and boosts Jeffrey Schlupp’s out of position prospects ahead of clashes with four of the bottom seven over the remaining five Gameweeks.
..as is Aguero….
Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to retain the lone striker system utilised against United looks good news for the Argentine’s owners. Aguero had toiled as part of a front two, blanking in five straight matches, but with Edin Dzeko benched again, he took his tally to three goals in two appearances by grabbing the hosts’ second in an easy win over West Ham. With injury concerns over the availability of Chelsea and Liverpool strikers, Aguero looks likely to remain in many sides in spite of the impending double – showdowns against Villa, Spurs and QPR’s obliging defences in the next three certainly looks too good to ignore.
Burnley look down and out unless Dyche alters his approach….
A 1-0 defeat against Everton continued the dire attacking form which now sees the Clarets nestled at the foot of the table. Whereas fellow strugglers Leicester and QPR have netted seven times in their last three league matches and Villa have scored five, Sean Dyche’s side still seem more concerned in keeping opponents at bay – it’s a single goal in seven now for the Lancashire outfit. Burnley clearly have the weaponry – they notched 13 times in eight matches between Gameweek 19 and 26 prior to their barren run – but Dyche’s decision to tighten up seems to have stripped the confidence from his stuttering attack.
The Saints’ away day form is a growing concern….
Ronald Koeman’s side have now earned a single point in the last four road trips after a 2-1 defeat at Stoke. The Saints have failed to earn a clean sheet over that period, scoring just twice, and, in spite of some impressive St Mary’s showings which have harvested three successive wins and shut-outs, their season is grinding to a halt. Koeman’s men have two home matches remaining – former boss Mauricio Pochettino will have something to prove as Spurs roll up this weekend, whilst a visit from in-form Villa in Gameweeks 37 is no easy task. This leaves a trio of away trips (sun, lei, mcy) against sides with everything still to play for and with double Gameweek 34 now prominent in our thinking, many may feel it’s time to jump ship.
Kane remains in the picture….
Four goals in his last five appearances hardly constitutes a crisis, though with three of those arriving in one match, some had considered parting company with the Tottenham youngster for the run-in. Kane’s late strike against Newcastle once again underlines his outstanding value and with our options up front limited for the double, he seems poised to be retained by his 50% ownership. Christian Eriksen, on the other hand, has emerged as the Tottenham fall guy in spite of grabbing a first goal since Gameweek 23 at the weekend. With Cesc Fabregas, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho all vying for our attentions ahead of the double, the Dane has been subject to a major exodus – over 27,000 have already parted company since the weekend.
Gomis’ injury could be the end of Swansea’s season….
With the Frenchman stuck on the sidelines for four weeks, Garry Monk’s side failed to breach a Leicester backline that had chalked up just a single clean sheet in ten prior to Saturday’s showdown. Swansea have scored five times in as many matches now and bearing in mind that the Frenchman netted three of those efforts before sustaining a hamstring injury, it’s fair to say they are struggling to offer us any in-form options for the final five matches. Monk’s recent shift to a midfield diamond behind a two-man frontline has blunted Gylfi Sigurdsson’s points potential and with the Swans safely nestled in mid-table, they are starting to follow West Ham’s lead and look a little too lacklustre for our liking over the run-in.
