Riyhad Mahrez punishes Swansea and an army of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers as his hat-trick puts Jamie Vardy in the shade. Elsewhere, Mark Hughes’ Potters impress to stall Man City’s title tilt, Aaron Ramsey returns to the scoresheet and Chelsea’s slide continues as their assets blank once again.
Mahrez Propels Foxes to the Summit
Riyad Mahrez became the first Algerian to score a Premier League hat-trick as Leicester City ran out 3-0 victors over a hapless Swansea City outfit – much to the consternation of the 127,997 Fantasy Premier League managers that elected to start him on their FPL bench.
With 10 goals in 14 appearances, the 6.8-priced winger is the league’s top-scoring midfielder and the top scoring FPL performer on 119 points.
Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy failed to net for the first time since Gameweek 3 but kept his points ticking over with an assist.
Mahrez has now contributed (scored or assisted) to 55% of the Foxes goals whilst on the pitch, while Vardy has played a part in 51% – a staggering influence which continues to ensure that both remain cemented in the majority of FPL squads.
The Foxes face a testing quartet of fixtures (CHE, eve, liv, MCI) to close out the year, yet none of those sides possess better form than the East Midlanders, who’ve tasted defeat just once in their last 19 league clashes.
In addition, Leicester are the only club without a single blank across their 15 match-ups; it would therefore be a major surprise if both Mahrez and Vardy are silenced over the forthcoming stretch of fixtures.
Swans in Free Fall
Swansea slipped further into the abyss with their fourth defeat in five outings. They’ve now mustered just one win in their previous 11 match-ups – slipping to seven defeats along the way.
Garry Monk attempted to revive fortunes by recalling Bafetimbi Gomis up front to replace the injured Eder. However, Gomis had little impact, recording two attempts on goal. Similarly, Andre Ayew registered two efforts as the Swans continued to struggle for a cutting edge: they’ve now scored just four goals in their last seven league outings.
A trip to Manchester City is next on the agenda for the Welsh outfit, before vital home fixtures with West Ham and West Brom.
Stylish Potters See Off City
Stoke City recorded a stunning 2-0 home victory over Manchester City, having tallied just four goals in the previous seven Gameweeks.
Marko Arnautovic netted a brace within 15 minutes and has now directly contributed (three goals and four assists) to seven goals in as many starts at the Britannia Stadium. While the Austrian will begin to earn interest as a 6.0 midfield option, the Potters’ relatively tough schedule over the Christmas period (whu, CRY, MUN, eve) serves as an effective deterrent. Xherdan Shaqiri picked up the assists for both Arnautovic strikes, marking just the second time he’s delivered attacking returns this campaign.
Mark Hughes opted to bench Jonathan Walters and field Bojan Krkic as the lone striker, with Ibrahim Afellay earning a recall at the number-ten berth. Bojan impressed in the role and, at 5.1, could factor into our thinking as a budget forward if Stoke retain this set-up and maintain momentum on the attacking front.
At the back, Jack Butland’s 15% ownership profited from a sixth clean sheet in eight league ties. Butland remains the choice route into an impressive Stoke defence by virtue of his save point potential, with Philipp Wollscheid (4.4) representing the pick of the Potters’ current back four.
Hughes’ men travel to West Ham next, having claimed four clean sheets in their last five road trips.
City Rearguard Exposed Again
Those holding Man City’s defensive assets were again left to bemoan the absence of Vincent Kompany, as Man City continued a run of just two shut-outs in the last ten matches.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men shipped seven goals in their previous trio of outings, which paints an ominous picture ahead of upcoming trips to Arsenal and Leicester. Nonetheless, Aleksandar Kolarov owners will likely be content to retain the Serbian for his attacking potential, with home clashes against Sunderland and Swansea in the next three Gameweeks harbouring potential.
Man City’s also flattered to deceive in the final third, failing to net in three successive away matches for the first time since April 2009. City have scored six goals in their last six league outings, blanking in those three away trips.
The lack of goals will be a concern for Pellegrini, although it is likely that the return of Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure will greatly augment their cutting edge. Furthermore, we can expect David Silva to start conducting their midfield with authority when he’s accrued some more pitch time. Silva was replaced on the hour-mark at the Britannia, in his first start since October.
Ramsey Stars As Gunners Grind Out Victory
Arsenal secured maximum points for the first time since Gameweek 11 with a 3-1 win over Sunderland.
Olivier Giroud was cast as both the villain and the hero, balancing out his own goal with a header in the 63rd minute. Notwithstanding his mishap, the France international boasts five goals in his last seven starts, which is likely to restrict Theo Walcott to a wide berth for the time being.
Mesut Ozil’s 340,000 new owners were rewarded with the playmaker’s 10th assist in nine outings, boosting his tally to 12 for the season. The 9.6-priced German is doubtless the pick of Arsenal’s midfield in Alexis Sanchez’s absence, although the form of Aaron Ramsey, one of our Differential picks going into the Gameweek, should be monitored. The Welshman bagged a goal, an assist and maximum bonus points against the Black Cats from his favoured role in the double pivot.
Joel Campbell carded his second goal in five starts but is a serious rotation risk now that Walcott has returned to contention.
Arsenal’s defence is now without a clean sheet in four fixtures but are well placed to rectify matters when they travel to Aston Villa in Gameweek 16.
Improving Black Cats Denied
Sunderland put in an impressive shift at the Emirates but ultimately slipped to their fifth defeat in six road ties.
Yann M’Villa claimed his fourth assist of the season as he continued to claim dead-ball duties, but at 5.0, is unlikely to tempt Fantasy interest.
Maintaining a 3-5-2 setup, Patrick van Aanholt (4.6) continues to stand out as a potential defensive option with attacking benefits, while, on the opposite flank, DeAndre Yedlin (4.4) saw off the return of Billy Jones to retain his right wing-back berth. Further forward, Duncan Watmore’s rise to prominence continued with another impressive showing – his pricing as a 4.3 forward could yet be a factor should a shift to 3-5-2 in FPL squads become a more viable option.
Sunderland now embark on an unforgiving quartet of fixtures that includes trips to Chelsea and Manchester City. Gameweek 16’s home fixture with Watford may offer short-term profits, but sustained investment in Sam Allardyce’s improving squad is likely to be put on ice until the shake-up in the January transfer window.
Impotent United Flop Once Again
Manchester United’s 0-0 stalemate against West Ham United played out to a familiar narrative, with Louis van Gaal’s charges again sacrificing attacking flair for tactical discipline.
Anthony Martial spearheaded the hosts’ attack but failed to hit the target with any of his three attempts, thus extending his goalless streak to eight outings.
On a positive note, the Red Devils posted their fourth clean sheet in six matches, having conceded just one goal at Old Trafford throughout the season. However, they were more than fortunate on several occasions, with the visitors hitting the post twice and missing gilt-edged opportunities to score.
In light of their injuries and Van Gaal’s propensity for rotation at the back, Chris Smalling remains the most attractive defensive recruit. Although he’s priced prohibitively, the 6.8-priced centre-back could be a profitable pick-up across the next three Gameweeks (bou, NOR, sto).
Hammers Battle For a Point
The Hammers trip to Old Trafford yielded their first shut-out in ten fixtures as Winston Reid emerged from the encounter with maximum bonus points. While investment in the West Ham rearguard won’t be a priority for many, Slaven Bilic’s side follow up with fixtures against Stoke, Swansea and Villa, offering promise of further shut-outs.
Certainly, Bilic’s men may be required to tighten up at the back to earn results given their current struggles in attack. The Irons’ have now scored just three goals in their last five match-ups.
Their quest to breach United’s defence was made all the more difficult when Manuel Lanzini was ruled out after suffering a knock in training. Moreover, Victor Moses was withdrawn in the first half with a suspected hamstring injury, perhaps paving the way for the 5.2-priced Michail Antonio (14 goals in the Championship last season) to earn a run of starts over forthcoming fixtures.
Pelle & Mane Disappoint
Southampton arrested their two-match losing streak with a 1-1 home draw against Aston Villa. Oriol Romeu was Saints’ unlikely goalscorer, slotting home at the back post from a James Ward-Prowse corner.
Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane now lay claim to just two goals between them in seven match-ups, having managed one shot on target from six attempts against Villa.
Southampton’s attacking form remains the issue. Pelle and Mane have been involved (scored or assisted) in 45% and 38% of Southampton’s goals when on the pitch but Ronald Koeman’s side have notched just three goals in their last four outings. Incredibly, despite a lack of end product, only Bournemouth can boast more attempts from inside the box in that four Gameweek spell.
Given that statistic, Pelle and Mane owners may consider a stay of execution, despite Southampton’s challenging short-term fixtures (cry, TOT, ARS).
Strike Duo Carry Hornets Through
Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney did the damage for Watford yet again, grabbing a goal and an assist apiece in a 2-0 win against Norwich City.
Ighalo has now played a part (eight goals and five assists) in 13 of the Hornets’ last 15 goals, while Deeney set a club record by scoring in four successive top-flight starts.
The Watford strike duo continue to standout as obvious budget striker options, but will now have their credentials tested by a demanding run of opponents (sun, LIV, che, TOT, mci, sou).
Spurs Held To Hawthorns Stalemate
Dele Alli registered his second goal in four starts and third of the season as Tottenham earned a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns.
Shifted into the number-ten berth, the 5.0-priced 19-year-old is proving to be an excellent option as a fifth midfielder, furnishing us with a cut-price route into an attack that ranks joint-fifth for goals scored (25) this term. Elsewhere, Harry Kane saw all three of his attempts blocked but offers the potential to return to the scoresheet when Newcastle United roll up at White Hart Lane in Gameweek 16.
At the back, Toby Alderweireld cemented his status as the premium source of points, teeing up Alli with a lofted through ball from his own half.
Whilst the Tottenham backline was unable to claim a shut-out in the Midlands, investors in Mauricio Pochettino’s rearguard will be confident of future returns. Spurs now face a set of forthcoming home ties that brings Newcastle, Norwich, Leicester, Sunderland, Watford and Swansea to the Lane up to Gameweek 27. Alderweireld was ranked second to Mesut Ozil for FPL “transfers in” overnight and a further price rise to 5.6 looks imminent.
Baggies Home Guard Breached Again
Tony Pulis side have now conceded 14 goals in home matches – more than any other side in the league. They’ve claimed just two clean sheets at the Hawthorns and are without a shut-out in five.
While this will doubtless diminish confidence in West Brom’s rearguard, the fixture list does present a platform for improvement. Home matches with Bournemouth, Newcastle and Stoke, along with a trip to Swansea in the next five, offer Pulis’ men the opportunity to recover some reliance.
That could see Boaz Myhill’s 16% ownership keep faith for leading into the Christmas period, although Ben Foster’s impending return will cast doubt on Myhill’s start in the weeks to come. Foster is making progress with his knee injury, with reports in November stating that he was less than a month away from returning to contention.
Cherries Silence The Bridge
Glenn Murray – who only entered the fray at the 80-minute mark – scored in the 82nd minute to grant Bournemouth their first victory since Gameweek 6. The Cherries bunkered in for much of the second half, yet they still mustered 15 attempts at Stamford Bridge, underlining the vast improvement they’ve made in terms of creativity and attacking verve in recent weeks.
Eddie Howe’s side have registered 70 efforts on goal in the last four Gameweeks – more than any other side. Such form will promote interest in a cast of budget midfield options, although Howe’s men face some stern tests in weeks to come (MUN wba CRY ars lei).
Chelsea Lose Their Foothold
Having recovered with a win over Norwich and a point at White Hart Lane, Jose Mourinho’s men slumped to their fourth defeat in seven home encounters.
Mourinho again deployed Eden Hazard as a false nine for the second match running, before bringing on Diego Costa at the break. Both underperforming stars were unable to provide an end product, resulting in Chelsea’s third blank in five outings.
Although Chelsea’s next trio of fixtures (lei, SUN, WAT) look good on paper, the magnitude of their demise offers little incentive to invest in their Fantasy assets.
