Roberto Firmino announces himself to Fantasy managers as Liverpool sweep aside City at the Etihad. Everton continue to take full advantage of their favourable schedule, whilst Sergio Aguero’s case for inclusion is dampened by a number of in-form frontmen.
The Player
A goal and two assists in Liverpool’s stunning 4-1 triumph at the Etihad has belatedly brought Roberto Firmino onto our radars.
Afforded just three starts in Brendan Rodgers’ eight matches in charge, the Brazilian had failed to justify the hefty £28m transfer fee that the Reds handed to Hoffenheim last summer. Indeed, Firmino’s assist in the Reds’ win at Chelsea – his first start under Jurgen Klopp – was his first attacking points of the season.
Handed a central role in Liverpool’s front three on Saturday evening, we finally saw flashes of the talent that served up 23 goals and 21 assists in his final two seasons in the Bundesliga. Firmino’s understanding and link-up play with Philippe Coutinho cut City apart time and again, and although Klopp was able to name both Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge on the bench at City, Firmino looks undroppable on this sort of form.
Sitting in just 1% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) teams to Coutinho’s 20%, Firmino seems a ready-made differential with the fixtures to flourish as the Merseysiders gain momentum under Klopp. Up next, the Reds go head-to-head with Swansea, Newcastle, West Brom, Watford, Leicester and Sunderland in the next six, affording the Brazilian the chance to show just why Liverpool were prepared to splash the cash.
The Team
An emphatic home win over Aston Villa took Everton’s tally to ten goals in their last two Goodison outings as Roberto Martinez’ side racked up the Fantasy points.
The 4-0 victory highlighted the options from back to front in Roberto Martinez’ side. Seamus Coleman delivered a ten-point return – his second double-figure haul of the season – as the hosts chalked up a first shut-out in seven attempts. Whilst the in-form Gerard Deulofeu had an off-day, Ross Barkley delivered two goals and an assist for his 24% owners – priced at 6.9, he’s now level with Alexis Sanchez on 72 points.
Up top, Romelu Lukaku continues to shrug off the inconsistency that has blighted him in previous years. The big Belgian’s brace means he’s now netted in three successive league outings – indeed, he’s blanked just twice in the last seven in a run that has served up seven strikes, three assists and 11 bonus points from Gameweek 7 onwards.
Despite the return of Sergio Aguero, Lukaku is the number one transfer target in FPL right now, with over 125,00 managers snapping him up since the weekend. It’s no surprise to see that Barkley leads the way for midfielders (108,000+) ahead of the weekend trip to Bournemouth. With Palace, Norwich, Leicester, Norwich and Stoke to follow the Dean Court clash, Martinez’ men certainly have the schedule on side to continue their weekend showing.
The Talking Point
Sergio Aguero’s return from injury was greeted with much fanfare last week but, in spite of netting against Liverpool, the City forward was somewhat overshadowed in the race for our attentions up front.
The aforementioned Lukaku’s brace was equalled by Harry Kane, whose recent renaissance continued at home to West Ham as he took his tally to seven goals in the last four Gameweeks. Similar to Lukaku, Kane also a very kind schedule ahead that heightens his appeal – over the next 12 rounds of fixtures, Tottenham play a top-six side just once.
Then there’s Jamie Vardy to consider. The Leicester striker has now scored in ten successive league appearances and although he’s risen in price to 7.4, he still offers outstanding value. Granted, the Foxes’ schedule is somewhat disconcerting (MUN, swa, CHE, eve, liv, MCI) over the next six Gameweeks, though it’s worth noting that Claudio Ranieri’s side have fared well against some of the top sides. Leicester have played four of the current top eight and scored twice against Arsenal, West Ham and Southampton and once against Spurs.
Whilst there’s no denying Aguero’s standing as the most explosive captaincy contender in the top flight, the form and fixtures offered by Lukaku and Kane is making a convincing case for those who are somewhat reluctant rip up their squads to accommodate the Argentine.
Given that City have scored just three times in the last four Gameweeks, their downturn in form, allied with Manuel Pellegrini’s need to manage Aguero’s minutes for fear of another relapse, is starting to convince some Fantasy managers that going without the 13.1-priced striker over a hectic festive period could be a very viable tactic.
