We turn our attentions to the weekend’s eight fixtures now as the Gameweek 27 deadline edges nearer. West Ham and Arsenal’s growing options in the final third and the battle for our third Leicester spot are amongst today’s topics, whilst we also have an eye on the Swansea, Palace and Stoke midfields for potential differentials.
Bilic’s options in attack…
A 5-1 FA Cup win over Blackburn gives Slaven Bilic a welcome headache as West Ham prepare to host Sunderland this weekend. Emmanuel Emenike bagged a brace in his first start since arriving on loan, whilst Manuel Lanzini earned an assist after returning from injury as a sub at Ewood Park. Will Bilic move back to 4-2-3-1 to immediately hand Lanzini a start and can Emenike retain his role given that fit-again Andy Carroll is also in the mix? There’s a concern that the growing competition for minutes at Upton Park could result in increased rotation, potentially limiting the appeal of Michail Antonio and co. and leaving Dimitri Payet as our only reliable route into Bilic’s attack.
…and Wenger’s…
A 2-0 home loss to Barcelona was the fifth time in their last eight matches in all competitions that Arsenal have failed to find the net. Bearing in mind that the Gunners had scored in 14 of 15 fixtures prior to their goalless draw at Stoke in Gameweek 22, it’s fair to say that Arsene Wenger has decisions to make in the final third in order to arrest his side’s decline. Whilst Alexis Sanchez – despite one assist in his last nine league appearances – will almost certainly keep his place, Danny Welbeck’s late winner against Leicester surely increases the pressure on the misfiring Olivier Giroud as the Gunners head to Old Trafford. With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also failing to impress, Wenger may well look to freshen up on the right, with Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell all offering alternatives this Sunday.
Fuchs versus Huth as the third Leicester pick…
Fantasy managers are loading up on Leicester’s main men as the schedule smiles very kindly for the league leaders. Whilst Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are nailed-on for most, the battle for our final Foxes option is set to intensify as Norwich make their way to the King Power. At present, Christian Fuchs’ average of 4.3 points per game sways it for some but with three goals in his last six appearances, Robert Huth is becoming increasingly influential as Claudio Ranieri’s men look to retain their spot at the summit.
Hazard’s momentum at St Mary’s …
Whilst the arrival of Guus Hiddink has transformed Diego Costa’s season, the same can’t quite be said for Eden Hazard. Nonetheless, a goal and two assists against City’s second-string in the weekend FA Cup win will surely have bolstered the Belgian’s confidence in what has been a desperately disappointing season so far. A trip to St Mary’s is hardly straightforward but with his morale on the rise, can Hazard return to his form of old and make a late claim for consideration over the run-in?
Stoke’s home comforts…
At a time when many sides’ schedules are blighted by blanks, Stoke could barely wish for a better upcoming run. After arresting their recent slump with a 3-1 win at Bournemouth, Mark Hughes’ side now face back-to-back home encounters with two of the bottom three, as Villa and Newcastle make their way to the Britannia. Having beaten the likes of Chelsea, City and United and drawn with Leicester and Arsenal in front of their own fans, we’ll be keeping a keen eye on chief protagonists Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri as the Potters look to maintain momentum and take advantage of the fixtures.
Ighalo’s form…
With a single goal in the last seven fixtures, the Watford frontman has been subject to a significant exodus of late. Despite a plum home clash with Bournemouth, Ighalo has been sold by over 46,000 FPL managers, though still sits in over 34% of sides due to his early-season exploits. Another blank against the Cherries, though, and it’s time to reassess our options, bearing in mind that the Hornets then face United, Leicester, Stoke, Arsenal and Everton, in addition to a blank Gameweek 30, in the subsequent six rounds of fixtures.
Martial as the lone forward…
Wayne Rooney’s knee injury hands the summer signing a chance to lead the line as United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford this weekend. Mainly utilised on the flank of late, Martial approaches the Gunners clash in his best form for a number of months, after racking up two goals, an assist and five bonus points in his last three league outings. Although he’s only scored seven times since arriving from Monaco, Martial boasts an 18.4% goal conversion rate in his first season in the Premier League – exactly the same as Sergio Aguero – which suggests that if his team-mates can provide the young Frenchman with opportunities, he may yet make a late dash for our consideration.
The impact of Dembele’s absence …
With a groin injury ruling the Belgian out for up to two weeks, there is a possibility that Dele Alli could be forced to sit alongside Eric Dier in the double-pivot at home to Swansea on Sunday. Owned by over 31% of FPL sides, a move to a deeper role may well limit Alli’s output and curtail the form that has served up two goals and three assists in the last four Gameweeks. In turn, though, such a scenario may well promote Christian Eriksen’s appeal – if Mauricio Pochettino chooses to switch Alli’s position, the Dane looks in line to take up the central support role behind Harry Kane and boasts the underlying numbers to suggest he could emerge as the chief protagonist in Tottenham’s title tilt. As Jonty pointed out earlier today, though, Alli, Eriksen and Kane’s output all dropped in recent matches without the Belgian on board, which may well persuade some to opt against loading up on a trio of Spurs options for now.
Bolasie’s return to the Palace fold…
It’s fair to say that the Eagles have missed their talismanic wide man over the last couple of months. Bolasie racked up three goals and an assist in his last six league outings before succumbing to injury- in his absence, Alan Pardew’s side have scored four times in the subsequent nine Gameweeks. Having signalled his return with a run out off the bench in last week’s cup win at Spurs, though, Bolasie – now down to 6.0 and owned by 2% of FPL managers – has an immediate chance to catch our eye with back-to-back clashes against West Brom and Sunderland up next.
Siggy as a route around the blanks….
The Icelandic international has been the main beneficiary of Francesco Guidolin’s installation to the Swansea hotseat, scoring five times in the last seven Gameweeks. Whilst back-to-back trips to Spurs and Arsenal would typically prove enough of a deterrent, Sigurdsson’s form heightens his appeal at a time where many clubs’ schedules are blighted with blanks. With a trio of eye-catching matches (NOR, bou, AVL) just around the corner, getting on board early could pay off as the playmaker looks to get one over former club Tottenham at the Lane on Sunday.
