Our sights are set on the midweek round of fixtures now as Fantasy managers prepare for a couple of Gameweeks over the next few days. Alexis Sanchez’ return to form, City without Kevin De Bruyne, Dimitri Payet’s big-hitter status and Romelu Lukaku’s showing against Newcastle all find their way onto today’s menu.

Sanchez’ bid to oust Ozil…
Handed a first start since limping out of the Gameweek 14 draw at Norwich, Alexis Sanchez’ FA Cup winner against Burnley could barely be better timed. With Mesut Ozil picking up points in just one of the last six Gameweeks, the Chilean’s return to fitness and form offers the perfect opportunity to break up the template and inject some new life into our five-man midfields. Sanchez has already risen in price this week and another eye-catching display could persuade some of Ozil’s 51% ownership that it’s time to rely on Alexis again.

Vardy and Mahrez reigniting the flame…
A goal and assist over the last couple of matches suggests that Jamie Vardy is finally getting over the groin problem that limited his Fantasy output over the winter period. Having ended a run of five blanks with an assist against Stoke last time out, Riyad Mahrez will also be confident of building momentum against a visiting Liverpool defence that’s just shipped four at Norwich. Whilst the Merseysiders continue to battle for silverware on four fronts, Leicester may well have benefitted from their lack of FA Cup duties last weekend and the schedule from Gameweek 27 (NOR, WBA, wat, NEW, cpl, SOT, sun, WHM, SWA) could see many doubling up again if they can start to bring in the points.

City’s readjustment without De Bruyne…
Having started 17 of the 19 league matches he’s been available for since arriving at the Etihad, the Belgian’s knee injury absence will clearly be a major loss for Manuel Pellegrini. With five goals and nine assists, De Bruyne has been the stand-out Fantasy star of City’s midfield this season but his stint on the sidelines now allows the likes of David Silva and Yaya Toure to stake a claim for our consideration. With Jesus Navas likely to be afforded more minutes on the right, Silva, in particular, could be the chief beneficiary in the central role behind Sergio Aguero.

United’s attacking form…
With six goals in three league outings, the Red Devils had started to show plenty of promise prior to the 1-0 home loss to Southampton. After sweeping aside Derby in the FA Cup, can Louis van Gaal’s men kick on as Stoke make their way to Old Trafford? Wayne Rooney bagged his sixth goal in as many outings on Friday evening, whilst Anthony Martial served up a pair of assists in a Man of the Match performance. We’ll also be keeping a keen eye on Jesse Lingard as a budget option in the centre of the park after the youngster – who has started each of the last four in all competitions – bagged an assist in the 3-1 win against the Rams.

Wimmer in the frame?…
With Jan Vertonghen now sidelined for a number of weeks with a knee injury, the Austrian centre-half seems the likeliest to benefit from a run of starts in the heart of Tottenham’s four-man defence. Mauricio Pochettino trialled Kevin Wimmer alongside Erik Dier against Colchester on Saturday and handed Toby Alderweireld the day off as he looks to reorganise his backline in Vertonghen’s absence. Given that Spurs have conceded fewer goals than any side, Wimmer’s price of 4.6 – compared to Alderweireld’s 6.2 – may well turn a few heads if he earns the nod away to Norwich.

Swansea’s recovery…
It’s fair to say that Francesco Guidolin’s arrival at the Liberty has already had a positive impact. A 2-1 win at Everton in the Italian’s first official match in charge earned Swansea a second straight league victory for the first time this season. After some patchy performances towards the end of Garry Monk’s tenure, Andre Ayew bagged a goal and assist for the second time in three at Goodison – at a very kind price of 6.8, we’re monitoring the Ghana international’s progress as the Swans make their way to the Hawthorns tomorrow night.

Payet’s claims for heavy-hitter status…
It’s a sign of Fantasy managers’ faith in the West Ham playmaker that he’s risen 0.6 in price since returning from injury in Gameweek 21. Payet has eased his way back to form, though, blanking in three of his subsequent four appearances, but a home encounter with basement-dwellers Villa looks perfectly set up to reward his growing band of owners. Payet has averaged 5.6 points per game this season – only Riyad Mahrez (7.4) and Mesut Ozil (6.4) have managed more in midfield – and with Sunderland and Norwich also on his agenda over the next four, a big performance could trigger a spike in his 22% ownership.

Lukaku’s bid to stem the tide…
Having failed to score in five of his last six league appearances, our collective faith in the Everton frontman is starting to wane. Lukaku has now slipped in price in each of the last two Gameweeks, yet a home encounter against Newcastle is surely enough for most to hold, given he’s scored or assisted in six of his last seven at Goodison. With clashes against Stoke and West Brom preceding a Gameweek 27 blank, another failure will surely kick-start a major exodus.

Townsend’s impact on Toon attack…
After splashing the cash on the former Tottenham flier, Steve McClaren has confirmed that Townsend will be handed an immediate chance to impress as Newcastle travel to Goodison. Encouragingly for the Magpies boss, his side sit top for attempts inside the opposition box over the last four Gameweeks, which bodes well for their chances of beating the drop. Will Townsend be able to re-invent himself as a team player and thrive alongside the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic or will his penchant for a long-range effort see many of the Toon attacks fizzle out with the ball in Row Z?

Chelsea’s Vicarage Road litmus test…
It’s nine matches undefeated in all competitions for the Blues in light of yesterday’s 5-1 FA Cup thrashing of MK Dons. On the road, in particular, Chelsea have impressed under Guus Hiddink – indeed, they have chalked up a clean sheet in all three away league outings since the Dutchman was installed as interim manager. A trip to Watford poses plenty of problems, though, and with Odion Ighalo back in form, can the Blues backline hold steady? The likes of Oscar and Diego Costa have turned in some stand-out performances of late and with 1% and 6% ownership, they look ready-made differentials if they can deliver at Vicarage Road.