We turn our attentions to the upcoming round of fixtures this evening, with a number of key topics under analysis. Arsenal’s midfield solution as injuries hit hard, Sergio Aguero’s pitch time, Jurgen Klopp’s penchant for rotation and Eden Hazard’s chance to stake a claim for our five-man midfields are all on our Thursday menu.
Wenger’s midfield set-up…
With Arsene Wenger finally confirming that Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez are set to be sidelined earlier today, Fantasy managers are scouring the Gunners’ options ahead of four home fixtures in six. Although Wenger previously admitted that he’s reluctant to shift Aaron Ramsey back into the double-pivot, the Welshman looks the obvious choice to partner Mathieu Flamini in Cazorla’s absence. Such a scenario would leave the flanks open for the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Campbell and potentially Theo Walcott to battle it out for starting berths. With Mesut Ozil in such fine form, there’s still hope that the Gunners midfield could afford us a few festive differentials.
…and Pochettino’s…
The Spurs boss is faced with a real dilemma ahead of his side’s trip to the Hawthorns this weekend. With Eric Dier nailed on in the double-pivot and Christian Eriksen a certainty to start further up the field, Pochettino has to choose between Erik Lamela, Son Heung-Min, Mousa Dembele and Dele Alli for the other three roles in the centre of the park. Alli – who returns from a one-match suspension this week – was fielded in the role in “the hole” behind Harry Kane in his last league appearance and, at 5.0, a reprisal would surely kick-start a bandwagon if Tottenham can take advantage of a backline that’s conceded three times in four of their six home matches.
Sunderland’s resilience at the Emirates…
The Big Sam effect is very much in evidence as last week’s win over Stoke saw Sunderland clamber out of the drop zone. It’s now two successive clean sheets for the Wearsiders ahead of their trip to Arsenal and with Sanchez and Cazorla both unavailable, Allardyce will be looking to park the bus and replicate last season’s goalless draw in the corresponding fixture. The Black Cats have some tough looking fixtures ahead but if they can pass this test, our interest in Costel Pantilimon and Patrick van Aanholt is bound to take a turn for the better.
Aguero’s minutes with Bony back in the mix…
Forced off with a minor heel problem in last Saturday’s win over Southampton, the Argentine sat out the midweek cup win against Hull as Wilfried Bony marked his return to the City starting XI with a goal against the Tigers. A trip to Stoke kicks off a run of eight matches in 31 days across all competitions for Manuel Pellegrini’s men and bearing in mind that Aguero started three consecutive fixtures prior to limping out of the Saints encounter, will his manager take it easy with his pitch time in order to prevent yet another setback? With Bony looking in form and David Silva also back in contention, Pellegrini has a wealth of choices in the final third as he looks to improve upon a record that’s seen City score just twice in their last four road trips.
United’s attack as the fixtures smile kinder…
Considering the schedule is very much in their favour, it’s no surprise to see Chris Smalling earn over 24,000 transfers in in the Fantasy Premier League game ahead of United’s clash against a West Ham outfit devoid of both Dimitri Payet and Diafra Sakho. Interest in the Red Devils’ options further up the field is far more muted, though – as Louis van Gaal’s side continue to struggle for goals, Juan Mata is the most sought-after option this week, with just over 6,000 new suitors climbing on board. Van Gaal moved away from his default 4-2-3-1 and rolled out a 3-4-1-2 against Leicester last week and a more offensive-looking line-up may yet bring their main men back onto our Christmas watchlists ahead of upcoming head-to-heads with Bournemouth and Norwich.
Southampton’s response to their midweek hammering…
After going a goal up against Liverpool in less than 60 seconds last night, Ronald Koeman’s men couldn’t have wished for a better start in their bid to reach the last four of the Capital One Cup. Unfortunately for the St Mary’s outfit, the remaining 89 minutes didn’t quite go to script as the Merseysiders notched six times to hand them a worst home defeat for 56 years. Southampton will take solace in another 6-1 scoreline, though – that’s the margin by which they defeated weekend visitors Villa in the corresponding fixture last season. Sadio Mane racked up three goals and an assist that day and, having netted the opener last night, the Senegal international and Graziano Pelle could even be worthwhile armband candidates as the Saints look to atone for their midweek humbling.
The Hazard option…
Jose Mourinho’s decision to drop Diego Costa and field Eden Hazard as the lone forward at Spurs resulted in a public show of defiance from the Spain international, who has scored just twice in his last eight league appearances. With Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao possibly in contention this weekend, though, it’s debatable whether the Belgian can retain his out-of-position berth ahead of a schedule which hands the champions three home fixtures against Bournemouth, Sunderland and Watford in the next four Gameweeks. As mentioned in yesterday’s Say What, Mourinho has also cast doubts over using Hazard as a number 10 after he failed to impress in that role against Norwich in Gameweek 13 and it may well be that he’s shifted back onto the left flank. Can Hazard reprise the form of last season and throw his name into the hat as we look to splash our Sanchez cash or will he remain a peripheral figure?
Klopp as the new Tinkerman…
Liverpool’s stunning win at Southampton has Fantasy managers mulling over their options as the Merseysiders go from strength to strength under new manager Jurgen Klopp. Having made six changes for the midweek win at St Mary’s, the German admitted that “freshness was the key to selection” as he looks to cope with a packed schedule. Given that Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and James Milner played no part against Ronald Koeman’s men, though, there’s a feeling that Klopp may ring the changes once again as the Reds head to Newcastle on Sunday. Although his team look in top form, we’re hoping that Klopp’s penchant for rotation in the final third doesn’t derail the likes of Daniel Sturridge’s momentum as we look to find a reliable route into the Merseysiders’ attack.
Bolasie and Wickham’s Momentum at Goodison…
Alan Pardew looks to have struck upon an ideal formula after fielding Yannick Bolasie behind fit-again Connor Wickham at home to Newcastle last weekend. The DR Congo international bagged a brace, whilst Wickham supplied a pair of assists as Palace dismantled the Magpies to climb up to seventh in the table. Having won at Chelsea and Liverpool already this term, the Eagles travel to Goodison, where Everton have managed one clean sheet and conceded 11 times. With Southampton, Stoke, Bournemouth and Swansea to follow, Pardew’s new-look strike force could fire their way onto our radars as festive differentials.
