Next up, we turn our attentions to the weekend’s ten fixtures. With many Fantasy managers preparing to wildcard next week, we’re monitoring the form of Arsenal, Liverpool, Sunderland and Newcastle’s strikers, whilst City’s fit-again Belgian and the battle of West Ham’s budget midfielders are also on the agenda.
Welbeck’s form ahead of the double….
As we prepare to reassemble our squads for the upcoming doubles, there’s promising signs that the former United man has nailed down a regular role under Arsene Wenger. Welbeck has been named in the Arsenal first XI in three of the last four Gameweeks and led the line in back-to-back clashes against Spurs and Everton, heightening his appeal at a price of 7.3 in FPL. With his opener against the Toffees taking his tally to three strikes and an assist in just five appearances, Welbeck may well find his way into more wildcard plans if he produces the goods at home to Watford.
Iwobi’s minutes….
Handed a surprise start away to Barcelona in the Champions League, the youngster retained his spot for the Gunners’ trip to Goodison. Iwobi vindicated his manager’s decision by netting the second in a 2-0 win and looks to have edged ahead of the likes of Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell for a role on the flank. At a price of 4.5, his value for money will be hard to ignore for many wildcarders if Wenger unleashes him from the off against the Hornets on Saturday.
…and Sturridge’s….
Liverpool’s fit-again frontman highlighted his goal-getting capabilities by bagging his fourth goal in just over 400 minutes of pitch time this term against Southampton in the previous Gameweek. Encouragingly for any would-be suitors, Jurgen Klopp chose to start Sturridge at St Mary’s just three days after he was named in the first XI United in the Europa League, which suggests that the striker’s fitness is on the up after numerous stints on the sidelines. With nine fixtures in the final nine Gameweeks, including a couple of doubles, Sturridge – with a mere 1% ownership – could prove a deadly differential if Klopp can keep him out of the treatment room.
De Bruyne’s return to the City fold….
After a couple of months on the sidelines, the Belgian’s return to full training earlier this week has Fantasy managers on alert as we start to firm up our wildcard plans. De Bruyne’s average of 5.5 points per appearances is greater than any City attacker this season and with Manuel Pellegrini’s men set for a double Gameweek 34, his fitness will be eagerly monitored. Now down to 4% ownership, the summer signing could be a devastating differential if he can prove his fitness from this point onwards.
Mitrovic’s momentum….
The Serbian seems to have won the race to lead the line under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle, starting both matches since the new manager was installed at St James’. Mitrovic’s equaliser against Sunderland backed up his recent improvement since the departure of Steve McClaren – he’s joint-top with Harry Kane for efforts inside the box over the last two Gameweeks, with seven apiece. At a time when Georginio Wijnaldum has been moved to a deep-lying role in the double-pivot, Mitrovic could emerge as the best route into the Magpies attack for the double and beyond.
Lanzini as the Hammers’ budget option….
The Hammers midfielder threw his hat into the ring ahead of their pair of double Gameweeks by netting in the 2-2 stalemate at Stamford Bridge last time around. With many looking to acquire Dimitri Payet for the run-in, Lanzini and Michail Antonio could be set to battle it out for our affections as the Hammers host struggling Palace this time around. Priced at just 4.9, Lanzini could barge his way past the former Forest flier if he can start to replicate the form that served up three goals and two assists in six appearances between Gameweek 8-13.
Mahrez and Kane’s pre-wildcard form….
As we start to plan for the impending doubles, the popular Fantasy pair remain in fine fettle as Leicester and Spurs battle it out for the title. Mahrez has bagged the winner in two of the Foxes last three, whilst two goals and an assist against Bournemouth helped Kane produce back-to-back double figure hauls for the first time this term. Owned by 68% and 46% respectively, can we really afford to cash them in at this point?
Martinez’ wide men….
With a trio of double Gameweeks to contend with, the Toffees look primed for wildcard investment over the run-in. Although Ross Barkley’s security of starts ensures he remains the favoured midfield option, his lack of form – ten blanks in 12 appearances – has been anything but convincing. Aaron Lennon has now started the last six and racked up four goals and an assist over that period, though with the likes of Kevin Mirallas now back from suspension and big-money signing Oumar Niasse getting amongst the goals over the international break, Martinez’ penchant for rotation could still scupper our plans for investing in the Toffees options out wide.
Bolasie’s chance to shine….
It’s fair to say that Palace’s form could barely be more unconvincing as they prepare for back-to-back doubles in Gameweeks 33 and 34. Having conceded in each of the last 11, many may baulk at Scott Dann’s 5.7 asking price, whilst at the other end of the pitch, the uncertainty surrounding Connor Wickham’s fitness is enough to deter investment. In the centre of the park, though, there’s hope that Yannick Bolasie may spring into form just in time. Granted, the wide man has been anything but consistent but, as ten and 15-point hauls against West Brom and Newcastle attest to, he’s capable of explosive returns on his day. We’ll be keeping a keen eye on his Upton Park showing, particularly with that pair of home clashes against Norwich and Everton in Gameweek 33 in mind.
Defoe as a third forward….
Back-to-back goals against Southampton and Newcastle in the last two Gameweeks took the Sunderland forward’s total to 12 for the season – a tally bettered by only five other frontmen. Despite his key contribution and a very kind 5.1 price tag, Defoe remain in just 4% of FPL teams as the Black Cats prepare to host West Brom this weekend. With a double Gameweek 37 also to follow, another goal-getting display could earn him a place in some wildcard teams as he becomes increasingly vital to the Wearsiders’ survival bid.
