Our thoughts are already focused on the weekendโs ten fixtures as Fantasy managers prepare for the third Gameweek in seven days. Cityโs reaction to their thrashing at Liverpool, Louis van Gaalโs attacking options, Swanseaโs key performers as the fixtures turn kind and Guus Hiddink’s teamsheet with Chelsea’s PSG clash in mind are all on our lunchtime menu.
Cityโs response to their midweek maulingโฆ
Swept aside at Anfield and ten points off the summit, Manuel Pellegriniโs men now look major outsiders in the race for the title. One look at the fixture list suggests they have the chance to build momentum, though, with back-to-back clashes against Villa and Norwich surely set to bring major investment their way. With a Gameweek 30 fixture and double Gameweek yet to be factored in, the likes of David Silva, Vincent Kompany and – if fit โ Yaya Toure all have the chance to join Sergio Aguero in our short-term plans as Villa limp up to the Etihad on Saturday.
Van Gaalโs attackโฆ
The United boss kept faith in Marcus Rashford for last nightโs home encounter with Watford as Jesse Lingard dropped to the bench. Rashford failed to reward his growing band of owners, though, and, after being shifted onto the right flank in the second-half, was unable to produce a single attempt in 90 minutes against the Hornets. Will Van Gaal hand him another start as the Red Devils make their way to the Hawthorns or will rest and rotation, due to the hectic schedule, quickly derail the youngsterโs bandwagon?
Welbeckโs place in Wengerโs XIโฆ
Despite bagging a goal and assist on his first start of the season at former club United on Sunday, the versatile attacker was benched for last nightโs visit of Swansea due to his long-term stint on the sidelines. With their title challenge starting to dissolve, though, Arsene Wenger has major decisions to make as the Gunners head to White Hart Lane in search of a vital win. The Gunners boss trialled Theo Walcott through the middle to no avail at Old Trafford and with Olivier Giroud failing to score for the tenth time in 11 Gameweeks last night, is it time to unleash Welbeck as the lone striker for Saturdayโs crucial derby?
Swanseaโs main men as the fixtures turn kind โฆ
A 2-1 comeback win at the Emirates earned the Welsh side breathing space in their bid to beat the drop. Swansea sit six points clear of the bottom three and now brace themselves for a trio of fixtures (NOR, bou, AVL) that could potentially secure their survival for another season. With five tough looking fixtures in the final six, Francesco Guidolinโs men need to get points on the board starting with this weekโs visit of Norwich. Gylfi Sigurdsson looks the obvious candidate – despite five goals and an assist in nine, he’s still owned by just 4% of FPL managers and is shaping up to be an ideal short-term differential – though Ashley Williams, Andre Ayew and even Alberto Paloschi have the chance to take advantage of the fixtures and guide their side to safety.
Coutinhoโs chance to dazzleโฆ
The Brazilian was rested to the bench for last nightโs 3-0 rout over City as Adam Lallana, James Milner and Roberto Firmino staked a claim for our double Gameweek consideration with a goal and assist apiece. A trip to Palace now affords the well-rested Coutinho the opportunity to continue his fine form since returning from injury – the former Inter man has bagged two goals and three assists in a trio of domestic appearances across all competitions. Given that the Eagles have conceded at least twice in seven of their last nine, it could be Coutinhoโs turn to force his way into our thinking for the run-in.
Flanaganโs minutesโฆ
Eased back into contention by Jurgen Klopp following long-term injury, the Liverpool youngster was named in a league starting XI for the first time under the German in last nightโs 3-0 win over City. With Nathaniel Clyne shifting over to the left, Flanaganโs first-team introduction came at the expense of Alberto Moreno, as the Spaniardโs run of 22 top-flight starts came to an end. Given that the Reds limited their visitors to four attempts on goal at Anfield, thereโs hope that Flanagan โ at a price of 4.4 โ could boost their defensive prospects and hand Fantasy managers a viable cut-price option with two double Gameweeks still to follow.
Bilicโs tactical tinkeringโฆ
The Hammers boss sprung a surprise on Spurs last night, moving to a three-man backline in order to solve his lack of options at right-back. This allowed Michail Antonio to operate as a wing-back as the former Forest wide man maintained his superb form by grabbing his fourth successive home goal. With James Collins set to miss out due to a hamstring injury, though, Bilic may be forced a re-think for the weekend trip to Everton. The Toffees have been impressive on the flanks in recent weeks and the West Ham boss may well revert to a four-man defence, fielding Antonio at right-back, as he looks to tighten up against a side that sits second to City in terms of goals scored in front of their own fans.
Ritchieโs momentumโฆ
Itโs taken some time but the Bournemouth midfielder is finally showing the form that made him a pre-season favourite around these parts. Having started the season with two goals and three assists in the first 23 Gameweeks, Ritchie has now played a part in four (one goal, three assists) of the Cherries last five goals in as many Gameweeks after earning a pair of assists in the midweek home win over Southampton. Having dropped from 6.0 to 5.3, the Scot is shaping up as a key figure in Eddie Howeโs bid to beat the drop.
Hiddinkโs team sheet ahead of PSGโฆ
The Chelsea interim managerโs decision to start youngsters Kenedy and Bertrand Traore at Norwich paid off after they served up a goal and assist respectively in the 2-1 Carrow Road win. With one eye on next weekโs Champions League clash with PSG, where the Blues have to overhaul a 2-1 first-leg deficit, Hiddink utilised regulars Willian and John Obi Mikel as midweek subs and is clearly keen to test the strength and depth of his squad. Will Hiddink chop and change for the home clash against Stoke in order to prioritise the Champions League? The Dutchman has already hinted at resting Diego Costa prior to next week and an altered team sheet would dent the Spain internationalโs bandwagon, after netting for the eighth time in ten appearances on Tuesday.
Koemanโs defensive set-upโฆ
After a six-match run of clean sheets come to an end at home to Chelsea last weekend, the Saints boss ditched Matt Target for Maya Yoshida for the trip to Bournemouth. Koeman continued to chop and change during the 2-0 loss at Dean Court, though โ Yoshida last just 34 minutes before a tactical switch saw Southampton move from 3-5-2 and back to 4-2-3-1, citing the Cherriesโ danger out wide. Up next is a home clash with Sunderland and with Wahbi Khazri looking key to his sideโs survival plight, Koeman may decide to shore up on the flanks again in an attempt to batten down the hatches.
Wickham as Palaceโs saviour โฆ
Weโve been here before with the Eagles striker. Wickhamโs goals towards the tail end of 2013/14 helped clinch former club Sunderlandโs survival and with the battle to beat the drop intensifying, heโs risen to the challenge once again with four strikes in the last two Gameweeks. Palace look far more dangerous since Yannick Bolasieโs recent return bearing in mind theyโve scored three at home to upcoming visitors Liverpool in each of the last two seasons, weโre keeping an eye on Wickhamโs showing with one eye on the Eaglesโ eventual double Gameweek.
