There may be one match left to play in Gameweek 13 but we’ve plenty to ponder in our usual post-weekend analysis. Harry Kane’s hot form, Liverpool’s South American schemers, Sergio Aguero’s minutes and Everton’s thriving attack are all on our Monday lunchtime menu.
Aguero won’t be flogged…
With 66 minutes on the clock and with his team 3-1 down at home to Liverpool, Manuel Pellegrini still decided enough was enough for the fit-again Sergio Aguero. Having recovered from a hamstring problem, the Argentine announced his return to the fold with City’s only goal of the defeat, though it’s fair to say that his strike failed to paper over the cracks in attack – the Etihad outfit have scored just three times in their last four fixtures. In spite of his side’s toils and Wilfried Bony’s injury, though, it’s clear that Pellegrini will continue to ease Aguero back into contention for fear of another relapse.
Pellegrini really only has two centre-backs…
Vincent Kompany’s enforced absence against Liverpool once again underlined how vital he is to City’s title tilt – Pellegrini’s men have conceded one goal in eight matches with their skipper on board compared to 12 strikes in five without him. With the Belgian once again laid low by an ongoing calf complaint, the City manager’s decision to rest Nicolas Otamendi ahead of Champions League duties proved disastrous as Liverpool ran rings around Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala. Saturday’s showing served a harsh reminder that if City are to tighten up, one, or preferably both Kompany and Otamendi, will be needed.
Klopp needs to find room for his twin Brazilians…
The Liverpool manager’s decision to switch to 4-3-3 and field Roberto Firmino through the middle paid off handsomely as his side thrashed City at the Etihad. Firmino’s link-play with Philippe Coutinho was key to the Merseysiders’ attacks, with the latter’s goal and assist helping him to a third successive double-figure haul under Klopp’s guidance. Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge were confined to bench-warming duties on Saturday evening and, on the evidence of their side’s display, Klopp will surely be reluctant to unnecessarily shake up his first XI, with Firmino and Coutinho’s on-pitch understanding looking key to the Merseysiders’ progress.
It’s officially a hot streak for Kane…
A double against the Hammers continued the Spurs striker’s outstanding recent form – after scoring once in the opening nine league fixtures, Kane has since notched seven goals in the last four Gameweeks. One look back at last season highlights Kane’s tendency to embark on scoring sprees – he racked up 17 goals and four assists over a run of 15 starts during the 2014/15 campaign. Spurs are now unbeaten in 12 league outings after thrashing West Ham and with a favourable run of fixtures for the foreseeable future, making space for Kane in our three-man frontlines will be a priority for many.
West Ham look short of ideas…
The Hammers failed to pass the test in their first match without the stricken Dimitri Payet. Slaven Bilic opted for Diafra Sakho on the right-hand side and kept faith in Andy Carroll up top but neither player impressed, with Sakho perhaps pushing for a return to the lone striker role next time out. Granted, Manuel Lanzini stepped up in Payet’s absence with a third strike in five but with clashes against West Brom, United and Stoke’s resilient rearguards in the next three, many Fantasy managers will be looking elsewhere.
Everton make decent flat track bullies…
Roberto Martinez’ men emerged from their dire opening schedule with one win in five ahead of a home encounter with Sunderland in Gameweek 11. Their 6-2 thrashing of the Black Cats hinted at what was to come, with a 4-0 Goodison victory over Villa seeing Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku rack up the points on Saturday. With both form and fixtures on their side, the next six Gameweeks (bou, CPL, nor, LEI, new, STO) indicate we can expect more of the same from the Merseysiders’ thriving attack.
The time to drop Vardy & Mahrez may never arrive…
Yet again, the Leicester duo picked up the points as Claudio Ranieri’s side moved to the top of the table with an emphatic 3-0 win over Newcastle. The only side in the top flight to find the net in every match, the Foxes are now the league’s top scorers on 28 goals in light of their St James’ Park romp and they fired more attempts inside the box (15) than any other side over the weekend. Although the upcoming schedule (MUN, swa, CHE, eve, liv, MCI) is set to test Leicester’s mettle, Mahrez and Vardy’s value and consistency so far suggests it’ll be a brave Fantasy manager who turns away from one or both right now.
Sanchez is becoming a problem to us…
The Arsenal wide man continues to test the patience of his 38% Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners after serving up a fourth straight blank away to West Brom last weekend. Sanchez has now been overtaken by Mesut Ozil in the overall standings after the German served up his eleventh assist of the season at the Hawthorns and it’s perhaps no surprise to see him drop in price over the last few days as many look to free up cash for the return of Sergio Aguero. Arsene Wenger has conceded the Chilean is “jaded” but is currently unable to rest him due to numerous injuries in the final third. Once the treatment room starts to empty, though, Sanchez needs to quickly start delivering to remain in our plans.
Stoke’s defensive form is no fluke…
It’s five clean sheets in six now for Mark Hughes’ men after a 1-0 win at Southampton on Saturday. Impressively, Jack Butland needed to make just one save at St Mary’s as the Potters nullified a Saints attack that had scored at least twice in each of the last five matches in front of their own fans. Over the last six, Stoke have allowed their opponents a mere three big chances, which is fewer than any other side in the top flight – when you consider they were ranked bottom for big chances against (21) over the first seven Gameweeks, the defensive transformation has been remarkable.
King passed his audition…
Named up front for the second successive Gameweek, the Bournemouth out-of-position prospect vindicated Eddie Howe’s decision by grabbing a goal in the 2-2 draw at Swansea. Howe has talked up King’s pace as key to his decision in light of Callum Wilson’s long-term injury absence and, at a price of 4.6 in FPL, the appeal is obvious as we look for budget options for our five-man midfields. It’s not all about King, though – since Howe moved to 4-1-4-1 to accommodate Harry Arter in Gameweek 11, Bournemouth have fired 52 attempts on goal – only Spurs (53) have managed more. Both Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas come in under 4.5 and, having bagged a goal and assist respectively, are also worth monitoring here.
Ayew is no dying Swan…
A goal and assist at home to Bournemouth saw the Swansea summer signing climb to third in the midfield standings behind Riyad Mahrez and Mesut Ozil. Garry Monk dropped both Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis for the Cherries encounter after the Swans racked up one win in their previous nine but Ayew’s output has ensured he remains one of the first names on his manager’s teamsheet – he’s played a part in eight of his side’s 14 strikes, courtesy of six goals and a pair of assists. Having netted against the likes of Chelsea, United and Spurs so far, Ayew has made a strong case for holding, despite a tough run of upcoming clashes (liv, LEI, mci, WHU, WBA) in the next five Gameweeks.
