Eden Hazard’s security of starts is now under threat. City’s attack flourish without Sergio Aguero, Anthony Martial’s versatility is a problem, whilst Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to rotate is benefitting Fantasy managers. Here’s the lessons learned from this weekend’s matches…
Hazard’s season goes from bad to worse…
Saturday’s team sheet at home to Villa sent shockwaves through the Fantasy community after the Belgian was benched for the first time in a league match under Jose Mourinho. A goal and two assists in his previous three had persuaded Hazard’s owners to hold in the hope that his sluggish start to the season would soon be a thing of the past but with his minutes now in question, the exodus is picking up pace. A spot on the bench against Dynamo Kiev in midweek may well be the final straw.
We’ve woken up to Wijnaldum…
The Dutchman’s stunning four-goal haul kick-started Newcastle’s kind run of matches in style as they grabbed a much-needed first win of the season. Wijnaldum’s display against Norwich means he’s now notched 20 times since August 2014 – that’s more than any midfielder in Europe over that period. The Dutchman looks essential to Steve McClaren’s chances of steering his side to safety and, at 6.8, has emphatically announced himself as a viable option for our five-man midfields.
City have more than enough without Aguero…
A 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth dispelled any theories that the league leaders would struggle without Sergio Aguero on board. With David Silva also missing, Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to move to 4-4-2 paid off as front pair Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Bony ran riot against the beleaguered Cherries. City look full of goals right now and the Chilean’s penchant for playing with the handbrake off will keep their main men in contention, regardless of Aguero’s availability.
The Vardy bandwagon isn’t slowing…
A late brace at St Mary’s broke Southampton’s hearts and rescued another point for Claudio Ranieri’s never-say-die Leicester. At some point, the returns are bound to dry up for Vardy but, for now, his output is actually improving – he’s brought home his three highest hauls of the season in the last three Gameweeks. Having blanked in just one of nine appearances, that 35% ownership looks set to soar again, with the Foxes striker front of the queue for transfers in once more this week.
Mahrez has made his point….
Omitted from the first XI for the second match in succession, Mahrez’ half-time introduction was pivotal in inspiring his side’s comeback against the Saints. Having laid on three chances and provided the assist for Vardy’s last-gasp equaliser, the Algerian’s display will surely have given Claudio Ranieri food for thought as the Foxes prepare for the weekend visit of Palace. Despite their weekend showing, the Foxes have just one win in four now and Mahrez has surely done enough to earn a recall at home to the Eagles.
Martial’s versatility is a problem…
Shifted onto the left flank as Wayne Rooney was handed the lone striker role, the United youngster failed to find the net for the third successive Gameweek in a 3-0 win at Goodison. The third most popular striker in FPL, with an ownership of 30%, Martial’s ability to offer options on the flank is now proving detrimental to his Fantasy prospects and with Ander Herrera staking a claim for the role in “the hole” with a weekend goal and assist, Louis van Gaal isn’t short of options. With Memphis Depay benched and Juan Mata hauled off at the break, the United attack is becoming increasingly difficult to predict as Van Gaal looks for a winning formula.
Wenger’s suddenly not keen on rotation…
Despite the upcoming Champions League encounter with Bayern, the Gunners manager was reluctant to tinker with a winning line-up away to Watford. Wenger chose not to rest the likes of Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin at the back, whilst Theo Walcott yet again kept ahead of Olivier Giroud up top against the Hornets. In a weekend where Chelsea and United’s teamsheets raised an eyebrow, Wenger’s consistency of selection is proving reassuring for Fantasy managers.
Giroud isn’t going to allow us or Wenger to settle on Walcott…
Afforded yet another cameo off the bench, the Frenchman took his tally to three strikes in the last five Gameweeks – despite playing a mere 86 minutes over that period. Giroud may be playing second fiddle to Theo Walcott for the lone striker role right now but is still proving more prolific, with the England international notching just twice over that period by comparison. Wenger has now started Walcott in the last six league matches but Giroud is clearly not giving up without a fight.
Ozil’s consistency can make the difference…
With Alexis Sanchez running riot in recent weeks and Walcott’s out of position role also catching the eye, the German has remained under most Fantasy radars. Two assists against the Hornets, allied with maximum bonus, saw Ozil serve up back-to-back double-figure hauls as he rose to seventh amongst midfielders. At just 8.4 and owned by only 9%, it’s perhaps time we pay him a little more attention.
The promoted sides are being found out…
Bournemouth, Norwich and Watford all started the season relatively sprightly after arriving from the Championship but their early form is starting to wane. Shipping 14 goals between them in Gameweek 9, the promoted clubs have now picked up just one point apiece over the last three rounds of fixtures, with the former two now conceding 20 and 17 goals already. Whilst Watford have shipped just ten goals, a lack of impact in the final third has seen them net just six times – the worst record in the top-flight. With the honeymoon period now over, all three have plenty of work to do to stop a slide into the drop zone.
Norwich always need to start Redmond….
Handed a recall for the trip to St James’ the Canaries winger bagged a fourth goal of the season to take his tally to 44 points in FPL. With Wes Hoolahan dropping to the bench, Redmond’s threat down the right flank once again came to the fore to offer Alex Neil a crumb of comfort in the wake of Sunday’s 6-2 humbling. Given his side’s woes in defence, Redmond – one of only two players to score more than a single goal for Norwich this season – surely needs to start from now on if Neil’s men are to have a chance of beating the drop.
