The Digest – Gameweek 36

Our last look back at Gameweek 36 brings City’s red-hot frontman, Sunderland’s improving form and Eden Hazard’s possible pitch time for the final two fixtures under analysis.

The Player

QPR rolled up to the Etihad looking to upset the odds and stall their drop into the Championship last Sunday. By the time the final whistle went, Chris Ramsey’s side had been condemned to relegation by the ruthless brilliance of Sergio Aguero, as the little Argentine served up three goals and a pair of assists in an emphatic 6-0 win.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men have now racked up 14 goals in the last five matches since returning to a lone forward system, compared to just seven strikes in the previous five when utilising a two-man frontline. Without a partner beside him, Aguero has flourished as the focal point of City’s attack and played a part in ten of those 14 strikes, courtesy of eight goals and a couple of assists.

Prior to this switch, the Argentine had only netted in more than two successive league outings on one occasion this season – a three-match scoring run over Gameweeks 6-8. Pellegrini’s change of tactics has seen Aguero score in each of the last five now, with his tally now standing at 25 goals for the season, his highest haul since arriving on these shores from Atletico Madrid.

There’s no doubt that Aguero, on his day, is head and shoulders about any other forward as a Fantasy prospect, in terms of both consistency and explosive potential. Although Pellegrini’s penchant for a 4-2-2-2 remains an issue, the last few fixtures may have gone some way to persuading the City manager that his side, and star player, are far more devastating when Aguero is allowed to maraud up front on his own.

The Team

A weekend trip to Everton looked far from straightforward, given that the Toffees had racked up four straight wins at Goodison without conceding a single goal. Sunderland emerged from Merseyside with three points in the bag and turned in a display that strengthens our faith in their assets ahead of double Gameweek 37.

The 2-0 triumph brings the Black Cats into focus at both ends of the pitch. A second clean sheet in five has ensured Costel Pantilimon and Patrick van Aanholt lead the way for transfers in amongst keepers and defenders respectively as our backlines are restructured ahead of clashes against Leicester and Arsenal.

Further up the field, the battle to beat the drop has presented us with a handful of differentials. Jordi Gomez’ assist at Goodison highlights the Spaniard’s growing confidence in the centre of the park – the Spaniard has now racked up 20 points in the last couple of outings and his spot-kick duties bring him firmly onto our radars. The third most transferred in midfielder this week, he remains in under 1% of FPL sides.

Up front, whilst Connor Wickham has drawn blanks in the last two, Jermain Defoe and forgotten man Danny Graham have both chipped in with a goal and assist. Graham has only started those last couple of matches under Advocaat but as the central figure in the front three, he’s staking a late claim for inclusion at a price of just 4.7.

Certainly, a home clash with in-form Leicester and trip to the Emirates are no easy tasks but Advocaat’s side will approach the double with confidence on the back of two straight wins. Given it’s the first time this season they’ve managed such a feat, their form bodes well as the Wearsiders attempt to pull off another great escape.

The Talking Point

After grinding out a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Jose Mourinho’s post-match comments have sent waves through the Fantasy community.

Having admitted that the likes of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas are “playing too much”, the Blues boss is looking to hand a number of youngsters a rare opportunity at West Brom next weekend.

Bearing in mind that Arsenal are now braced for a double, Hazard owners have a dilemma as they look to take advantage of the Gunners’ pair of fixtures.

Certainly, last night’s shock home loss to Swansea lessens the prospect of Arsene Wenger rotating next week. A draw against United and home win over Sunderland would clinch a top three spot, thus avoiding the hassle of a Champions League play-off in early August, and therefore allowing Arsenal to rotate at home to West Brom in Gameweek 38 ahead of their FA Cup Final against Villa.

Moving on Hazard for an Arsenal midfielder and then bringing back the Belgian is a viable option, then, and is strengthened by that fact that Mourinho has confirmed he’ll roll out the big guns for the season finale at home to Sunderland. Chelsea are the only side left unbeaten at home in England’s four divisions and bearing in mind that the Black Cats emerged from the Bridge victorious last term, the Blues boss will be determined to seek revenge.

Hazard’s slip in form is a concern, though, and backs up his manager’s suggestion that he’s a little fatigued. The Belgian failed to fire a single attempt against Liverpool on Sunday and has produced just four shots in as many matches as the champions ease up for the summer.

Second-guessing the intentions of top-flight managers is never easy at the best of times but at this point of the season, it’s nigh on impossible. Jose’s mind games do seem to be over for the time being at least, though, and Sunday’s post-match heads-up could ultimately prove beneficial as we prepare to gamble on the final double Gameweek of the campaign.