There’s plenty for Fantasy managers to monitor this Gameweek as we look to recover from last week’s frustrating start to the season. Arsene Wenger’s starting XI at Palace, Christian Benteke’s home bow for Liverpool, Swansea and West Ham’s mid-price options and Sergio Aguero’s minutes at home to Chelsea are amongst our lunchtime topics.
Wenger’s teamsheet at Selhurst…
After being wounded by Arsene Wenger’s decision to bench Theo Walcott, the Gunners’ teamsheet at Palace is probably the most anticipated of the weekend. Presumably Arsene will react to the West Ham defeat with changes – Hector Bellerin, Walcott and Alexis Sanchez are surely in line for starts but, as will be the case all season, we’re not quite sure how Wenger will shuffle the pack or if he’s really committed to a first-choice XI.
Hazard’s role in Chelsea’s Etihad plan…
Eden Hazard is suddenly a concern. A hefty 11.5 is a big price to pay when the likes of Oscar and a cast of mid-price talent are turning in points. The Belgian’s ability to step up and remind us of his “essential” qualities are not gifted the most obliging of stages: we expect Jose Mourinho to turn up, roll out Ramires and bench Oscar and charge Hazard with leading occasional counter-attacks. Mourinho and Hazard may just surprise us.
The need for speed with the Aguero option…
When is the right time to swoop for Aguero? With a 13.0 price tag, the Argentine represents one sizeable panic button which, at some point, every FPL manager will thinking about hitting. A start, coupled with a convincing performance against Chelsea, will tip many over the edge ahead of the Gameweek 3 trip to Goodison. Aguero’s own words yesterday casts doubt over that place on the teamsheet – that may just be City playing Mourinho at his own game.
Benteke’s opening night at Anfield…
Three points at Stoke did not disguise the fact that Christian Benteke was a yard or two behind the quick thinking of Philippe Coutinho and the supporting midfield cast. It could take time to adjust to the lights of Anfield, something that his 42% ownership will not want to entertain. The visit of Bournemouth for his home debut appears to offer a platform for goals and points. We’ll be watching keenly to see if he can take such an opportunity.
Sherwood’s use of the Gestede weapon…
Aston Villa’s new centre forward is something of a freak of nature. Leaping improbably off the ground with power and determination, Rudy Gestede is a weapon that offers Tim Sherwood an obvious route to wreak havoc. We’re not sure how the rangy Frenchman will cope with the regular rigours of a Premier League start but, this evening, we may just find out. One thing is for certain, Gestede will be charged with putting the frighteners on the slight Danny Blind and the twitchy Sergio Romero.
Rooney and Depay, take two…
United have weapons of their own but, on Saturday’s evidence, Louis van Gaal hasn’t quite discovered how to flick the safety catch. Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay spent much of their first top flight game in tandem patrolling similar areas, dropping deep to trying to affect play rather than piercing the Spurs defence. It will be fascinating to see how another week in training has moved things on and whether United’s tactics away from home will provide the pair with the opportunity to inflict damage.
The Kane supply at the Lane…
Harry Kane is a damage dealer of the very highest calibre but, like Rooney and Depay, had his threat muted in a match of few opportunities. The home clash with Stoke should ignite Spurs and give us Fantasy managers the opportunity to assess whether last season’s revelation deserves 9.5 of our funds. We’ll also be keeping tabs on Christian Eriksen – a bright spark at Old Trafford and, for some reason, still a far more alluring option than Nacer Chadli, despite the 1.5 price difference.
The Swans on the front foot…
Prior to Monday night and City’s slick dismantling of West Brom, Swansea were probably the stand-out performers of Gameweek 1. We’re touting Bafétimbi Gomis to anyone that will listen after seeing Garry Monk put out a cavalier side inspired by the speed and threat of Jefferson Montero and Andre Ayew. That was Swansea away from home and on the counter – we’re now waiting to see what they can offer at the Liberty when Newcastle come knocking. Let’s just say we’re expecting Gomis and co. to ruffle the Magpies’ feathers.
Deeney’s showing in the new-look Hornets…
Watford surprised Roberto Martinez and Fantasy managers with their Goodison performance. We expected a stuttering, rearguard action and we got an enterprising display of slick football. Deeney is the key figure – a no-nonsense frontrunner who leads by example and greedily snatches opportunities from dead-balls and open play. The West Brom defence didn’t give too much away on their travels under Tony Pulis and, after being schooled on Monday night, we can’t see Deeney and the Hornets getting too many opportunities for joy. If he takes one of them, our interest will pique.
The Payet and Sakho combination…
It looks delicious. A 7.5 creator, feeding a 6.5 predator up front. With four obliging home fixtures in six, it would be surely be folly to look beyond at least one of Dimitri Payet or Diafra Sakho in the coming weeks? Saturday’s lip-smacking meeting of day one’s two top performers will tell us more. The Hammers won’t get it all their own way against Leicester and we’ll be watching on to see how Claudio Ranieri calms the Foxes’ natural eagerness to attack. With Payet and Sakho on the prowl, we can’t imagine that the Italian will set his team up to blitz West Ham the way they tore into Sunderland.
