While festive activities beckon, our thoughts this evening turn instead to anticipate the events of a full Boxing Day programme.
The teamsheets, Sergio Aguero’s sharpness, Chelsea’s display and Louis van Gaal’s desperate attempt to salvage his position at Old Trafford are all hot topics ahead of Saturday’s match-ups. Here’s what’s knocking around in our heads as the Turkey roasts…
The impact of Gameweek 19…
We’ll take anything – any clue, hint or suggestion of how the teamsheets will pan out come Monday’s fixtures. We’re anticipating major upheaval across the board – it’s clear that very few Premier League bosses will subject their players to back-to-back run-outs over 48-hours without making significant changes. Boxing Day’s events will inform us to some extent: we’ll be watching for every knock and niggle, all of which will surely impact on the likely starting XI’s in Gameweek 19 just two days later.
Aguero the gamechanger…
It’s difficult to imagine Sergio Aguero’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership remaining around the 12% mark in the coming weeks. We’re anticipating and, perhaps even hoping, that goals will pour from the Argentine once he’s fully fit and firing. He was clearly short of sharpness at the Emirates, but Saturday’s Etihad exam against an suffering Sunderland looks the ideal opportunity for Aguero to offer a reminder of his devastating Fantasy qualities – just in time to shake things up as the second Wildcard comes into play.
The Chelsea revival continued…
Don’t call it a comeback. However, the 3-1 win over Sunderland was undoubtedly a major step forward for Chelsea, not least in terms of the displays from key players such as Branislav Ivanovic and Oscar. We’re not sure if Eden Hazard will be thrown into the mix against in-form Watford, but we’ll be monitoring the Blues’ performance carefully, assessing the impact of Gus Hiddink’s arrival on their tactics and outlook. Things already looked stacked in his favour: the Dutchman was hugely successful in his first tenure at the Bridge, losing just once in 23 encounters.
Van Gaal rolling the dice…
We’re not even sure if Louis van Gaal has it in him to take a risk. There’s no doubt that United’s situation calls for urgency, however, with the United boss feeling the heat amidst speculation on his future at the club. He’s claimed the trip to Stoke is a “must-win†game and, with the Potters claiming just two home clean sheets in ten and without a shut-out against United in the Premier League, Van Gaal may even be considering introducing some freedom into United’s play, with goals prioritised over sanitised solidity. We’ll be watching keenly: like Chelsea, we’re desperate for United to wake up as an attacking force.
Ayew in the role of Villa’s Houdini…
Since his debut goal back in Gameweek 10, Jordan Ayew has chipped in with four of Villa’s paltry six strikes since. Quite simply, Remi Garde’s outfit have to keep the Ghanaian fit and firing to stand even a remote chance of pulling off a huge escape act. At 5.5 in the FPL, in any other season, Ayew would be a prospect to consider. However, given the current landscape up front, few will be considering dismantling the established template – unless it’s for Aguero. Ayew may have a long way to go to convince us otherwise but another goal against West Ham will do his – and Villa’s – cause the power of good.
Lukaku’s bid for eight in a row…
Surely it’s unfathomable that Jamie Vardy would earn and lose his landmark goalscoring record in a matter of weeks? Against the odds, and previous reputation, Romelu Lukaku remains on track to rival the Leicester man’s achievement when he takes the trip to Newcastle. The omens are good: Lukaku has scored or assisted nine goals in his last six appearances against the Magpies – reason enough to back him to go on scoring and perhaps keep the armband on the Belgian’s bicep.
Walcott’s return to St Mary’s…
Once again we’re expecting Mesut Ozil to emerge from another 90 minutes with returns, while with five goals in Arsenal’s last six away matches, Olivier Giroud looks best place to inflict the damage on the struggling Saints. However, Theo Walcott’s display is interesting us most. Having returned a goal and an assist in his last two following his return from injury, Walcott could yet play his way into the frame as a huge differential – particularly if he can wrestle the strikers’ berth from Giroud for Monday’s match-up with a weary and depleted Bournemouth.
Kane’s bid to keep our interest…
It seems ridiculous that a striker who has notched eight goals in as many league outings would have to justify his place in our squads. Such is the consistency being displayed by the likes of Lukaku, Ighalo and Vardy – suddenly, with Aguero now threatening a return to full fitness and form, we’re considering Kane as disposable. Recent noises from Mauricio Pochettino, hinting at a rest for his star striker, has compounded matters: we need Kane to show up against Norwich and find the net. Blank and Kane will surely suffer significant sales.
