Finally, we can set our sights on the weekend fixtures after yet another international interruption. Sergio Aguero and David Silva’s return to the City fold is eagerly anticipated, whilst Tottenham’s midfield and forwards jostle for our attention with form and fixtures on their side. United’s defence is also on our radar and Manuel Lanzini has the chance to prove he’s a viable replacement for stricken team-mate Dimitri Payet.
Aguero and Silva’s return to the fray…
Both players were pictured in training earlier today as City prepare for a vital home encounter against Liverpool. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have blanked in two of the last three now and with Wilfried Bony struggling to overcome a hamstring injury, Aguero may well be fast-tracked into the first XI – a scenario that will surely persuade many Fantasy managers to snap him up sooner than expected. Given their wealth of options in midfield, though, Silva may be more likely to be eased back into contention. Nonetheless, the Spaniard’s return to action will also be eagerly anticipated as we look to see the knock on effect it will have on Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling’s positions within Pellegrini’s set-up. In particular, a role behind Aguero could bring Silva – whose 6.8 points per game is superior to any team-mate bar Vincent Kompany – firmly back onto our radars.
Kane’s bid to keep us from Aguero…
Six goals in his last four appearances in all competitions for Spurs suggests the England striker is finally hitting his stride after a patchy opening to the 2015/16 season. With many Fantasy managers somewhat reluctant to rip up their 15-man squads to accomodate the 13.0-priced Sergio Aguero, Kane’s relatively kind price tag (9.4) could prove the answer. Can he step up as a viable captaincy contender to the Argentine, though? Four home matches in six should give us the answer as Kane looks to recapture the clinical displays that served up 21 goals in the campaign gone by.
The Alli and Dembele options…
As the media circles Dele Alli’s rising star, Fantasy managers are rapidly considering joining the circus. The timing is perfect, as we consider the 4.9 midfield prospect as a solution to their Aguero shop. We’ll be monitoring Alli’s display against West Ham, alongside Moussa Dembele’s latest outing in the number ten role, as the pair continue to drown out Christian Eriksen’s claims as Spurs’ midfield option.
Lanzini’s audition in Payet’s boots…
West Ham will clearly miss the substantial influence of Dimitri Payet but, in Manuel Lanzini, they have a talent that has the potential to fill the void. We’re assuming that Slaven Bilic will immediately look to the Argentine to shift to a central role, scurrying around the lone striker to maximise his creative eye and threat from range. Lanzini’s statistics hint that he could flourish further and, in terms of goals, even surpass Payet’s output. Bilic will be looking for an instant impact and we’ll be watching carefully as we consider the 5.3 FPL price tag.
Van Gaal’s right-back selection…
With Anthony Martial looking likely to miss out for the trip to Vicarage Road, Louis van Gaal can be forgiven for focusing his efforts on solving selection issues in attack. As Martial fades as a Fantasy prospect, we’re far more interested in United’s back four; Matteo Darmian’s minutes are the key issue. Although he was dropped to the bench for the Manchester derby, with Antonio Valencia now crocked, the path would appear to be clear for the Italian to reinstate himself. Alternatively, Van Gaal may yet turn to Memphis Depay to fill the Martial gap, allowing Ashley Young to offer greater attacking promise from right-back against his former club. With Chris Smalling climbing to a lofty 6.7 this week, we need Darmian and Marcos Rojo to offer security as cheaper defensive options.
Deulofeu vs Barkley…
A month ago, it looked as though Ross Barkley was going to play himself into our squads once we hit Everton’s prosperous run of fixtures. Two weeks into that incredible spell of opponents, our heads have instead been turned by the merits of Gerard Deulofeu. The Barcelona B graduate has sparkled since cementing his start back in Gameweek 7, earning six assists and a goal in that spell. His influence in Roberto Martinez’ side is growing to the point where his starting role is no longer in doubt. Having struck five goals for Spain’s U21’s over the past fortnight, Deulofeu will set his sights on dismantling Aston Villa, underlining his importance to the Toffees and edging closer to inclusion in our squads.
Garde’s rearguard against an in-form Lukaku…
There is surely only one outcome. Villa’s defence have shipped 13 goals in six away trips and will face a confident Romelu Lukaku, capable of skittling even the most robust defence. However, Villa’s stubborn display against Man City last time out suggested that Remi Garde has made an instant impact with his methods. Two weeks on, we have to presume that the Frenchman has had time to instil further tactical plans designed to upset the form book. Nullifying Lukaku’s threat will have been top of his agenda.
King as Howe’s solution for goals…
Over the break, Eddie Howe surprisingly cited Josh King as an emerging candidate for regular starts – indicating that his pace was a better fit to replace the stricken Callum Wilson than Glenn Murray’s muscular bustle. Fantasy Football managers are now on amber alert. King’s classification as a 4.6 midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League will be hard to ignore if we’re presented with evidence that Howe will back his words with his teamsheet. Whether King can take such an opportunity is a another matter. We’ll be watching the crunch clash with Swansea with keen interest.
Sanchez in Ozil’s shadow…
Week by week we’ve seen Mesut Ozil earn renewed credibility as a Fantasy option. The German arrived with such promise and, whilst initially suggesting he deserved heavy-hitter status, to this point he’s lived in the shadow of team-mate Alexis Sanchez. Recent form suggests that the tide is turning. Consistency has been key to Ozil’s recent appeal and his return of eight assists in his last six starts has inevitably begun to deflect interest away from the Chilean. For his part, Sanchez has disappointed of late. He’ll go into the trip to West Brom clouded in doubt surrounding his fatigue levels and off the back of three consecutive blanks. However, Sanchez undoubtedly has the appetite and ability to reverse recent trends and turn attention back in his direction by scoring goals – something that even the upgraded Ozil has struggled to achieve.
Bolasie as the Palace option…
A goal against Liverpool took the winger’s tally to two strikes in the last five matches ahead of some kind fixtures that kick off with back-to-back home matches against Sunderland and Newcastle. Bolasie seems to have been buoyed by his upturn in domestic output and scored in both appearances for DR Congo over the international break. With both Yohan Cabaye and Wilfried Zaha one booking shy of a single-match ban, the 6.1-priced Bolasie will be looking to cement his position as the most favourable Fantasy route into the Eagles’ midfield as Alan Pardew’s men attempt to build on their Gameweek 12 win at Anfield.
