Sunderland and Chelsea’s case for double Gameweek 37 consideration is amongst a host of topics on our agenda ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. The City and Liverpool line-ups remain a cause for consternation, whilst Graziano Pelle’s head-to-head with the Villa defence and Harry Kane’s armband consistency also come under analysis.
Pellegrini’s teamsheet for the Potters challenge…
While the red side of Manchester are almost inexplicably threatening City’s top four berth, we’re bracing ourselves for Manuel Pellegrini to prioritise the home first leg tie with Real Madrid over the early kick-off with visiting Stoke. The impact on City’s teamsheet undoubtedly ranges from negligibly mild to downright catastrophic if the Chilean decides that Sergio Aguero’s quest for the Golden Boot can be put on ice in order to keep him fresh for Tuesday’s Spanish inquisition. Top of the Captain Poll, there seems to be a degree of confidence that Aguero will be given a start, although unless City struggle to break down the Potters, his pitch time will surely be curtailed with both Wilfried Bony and Kelechi Iheanacho straining on the leash to make their mark. Elsewhere, I’d expect Nicolas Otamendi to earn a recall, perhaps with Vincent Kompany preserved, whilst Raheem Sterling and Samir Nasri (if fit) will surely give Pellegrini the option to rest Kevin de Bruyne along with David Silva.
….and Klopp’s approach to Toon test…
We’re almost resigned to the fact that the Liverpool teamsheet will be littered with younglings as Jurgen Klopp looks to keep his first choice XI wrapped up in preparation for Thursday’s trip to Villarreal. However, with Newcastle fighting relegation and Rafa Benitez at their helm, I just wonder if Klopp will feel the pressure to field a stronger lineup to the one that took to the field at Bournemouth on Sunday. Certainly Big Sam and Alex Neil will feel deeply aggrieved should Klopp be seen to be doing a favour to the former Liverpool boss. We already know that Divock Origi is surely set to miss out, which could guarantee pitch time for either Roberto Firmino or Daniel Sturridge, depending on Klopp’s desired setup in Spain. My money is on Firmino getting minutes, perhaps as the central striker once again, and for Klopp to field a first choice defence at the very least.
Pelle’s opportunity to thrive…
The Italian target man almost ranks as a figure of fun amongst the Fantasy Football fraternity – somewhat unfairly. While his prolonged dry spells, languid playing style and agricultural turning circle contribute to his label as a risky, almost preposterous Fantasy option, Pelle can be effective. An away trip to relegated Aston Villa off the back of a spell that has brought four goals in five league starts appears to set him up for a guaranteed haul. Already the most popular signing in the Gameweek, clearly Pelle has not done enough damage in the past to put folk off the scent. Now is his opportunity to repay that faith, or forever seal his reputation as an unreliable enigma that somehow trundles to 12-15 goals a season without impacting on our squads.
Chelsea’s audition for the double Gameweek…
As one double Gameweek scuttles furtively out of sight, so another looms on the horizon, tempting us to rip holes in our squad in the quest for easy points. Under normal circumstances Chelsea would be our prime target for Gameweek 37 talent ahead of their away trips to Liverpool and Sunderland – the 2015/16 edition is, however, not fit for purpose. Whilst Guus Hiddink has cast a spell of sorts, Chelsea are not yet revived as a reliable source. We’ll be watching their Stamford Bridge meeting with Bournemouth with keen eyes – hoping that Ruben Loftus-Cheek continues on his current trajectory and that Diego Costa can give us the impression that he’s more likely to find the net than take an early bath.
…and Sunderland’s bid to claim top billing…
The Black Cats appear to be our biggest hope for double Gameweek joy. In Jermain Defoe and Patrick van Aanholt they have a couple of ready-made recruits that will surely earn investment prior to their two crucial Stadium of Light meetings with Chelsea and Everton. This weekend’s dress rehearsal with Arsenal will provide a major test of their ability to deliver but Arsene Wenger’s side have spluttered on their travels of late; we’re expecting Sunderland to do enough to book their slot in our Gameweek 37 thinking and ensure that the path is clear for Defoe and Van Aanholt to join the fold.
Ranieri’s ploy without Vardy…
The industry and pace of Jamie Vardy will be impossible to replace within Leicester’s current tactics. Certainly, the lumbering blunt instrument that is Leonardo Ulloa will not be up to the task, forcing Claudio Ranieri to shift his game plan for the visit of Swansea. Fortunately, the Swans strike me as a side who could be exposed by Ulloa’s strengths – his physical presence and power in the air, particularly when added to Robert Huth and Wes Morgan at set-plays, could be enough for the Foxes to grind out the three points. Jeffery Schlupp will be the “Plan B” and he may even be elevated to Ranieri’s first choice if he looks to keep an injection of pace up front. Ulloa arguably deserves the opportunity, however, and, given the opponents, he could well do the job.
Kane’s ability to stick to the script…
A third brace in five appearances suggests the Spurs striker looks a very viable armband candidate to Aguero this weekend. As the recent 3-0 home win over United showed, though, whenever the armband looks tattooed the Spurs striker, he finds a way of sinking into a background role and letting Tottenham’s supporting cast win the day – indeed, Kane has blanked in three of his last five at the Lane, including failures against Watford and Swansea. With Aguero’s pitch time in question, we need Kane to stamp his authority as the leading man in Spurs’ title charge – just as he did to devastating effect at Stoke on Monday night.
