Eden Hazard fires a brace on the south coast, piquing the interest of would-be investors ahead of Gameweek 37. Elsewhere, Sergio Aguero takes second billing but maintains his scoring streak, while United book their place in the FA Cup final after Romelu Lukaku mis-fires yet again.
Iheanacho Keeps Aguero In the Shade
Manchester City cruised past an abject Stoke City outfit as they ran out 4-0 victors at the Eithad.
With one eye planted on Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid, Manuel Pellegrini opted to rest the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, while Kelechi Iheanacho, David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi earned recalls.
Sergio Aguero somewhat validated the 44% of voters who pinpointed him as the prime captaincy candidate in this week’s poll, scoring from the spot to ensure that he’s now notched in five consecutive starts.
Given that City still need to cement their top-four berth amid competition from Manchester United – who sit five points adrift with a match in hand – Aguero continues to looks safe from rotation despite the fixture congestion. However, Iheanacho’s form will offer reassurance to Pellegrini that he has a striker in the squad capable of sharing the goal burden over the final three matches.
Iheanacho capitalised fully on a rare start, recording a brace and assist. Having amassed five goals and two assists in just 535 minutes this term, the Nigerian marksman looks certain to be on our pre-season watchlists.
Man City’s fifth clean sheet in eight outings underlined the merits of backing their rearguard and also continued to suggest that Pellegrini’s men are now able to cope with the presence of Kompany. The Belgian’s return to fitness has, however, cast doubt over the security of each of the back four, ensuring that Joe Hart appears to be the only cast-iron starter for the remaining match-ups.
Potters Plight Promotes Early Sunderland Investment
For the third Gameweek in succession, Stoke City failed to compete and shipped four goals as a consequence.
Their alarming form will now act as an incentive for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers to consider investment in the Sunderland attack ahead of their Gameweek 36 trip to the Britannia.
Certainly Jermain Defoe will relish an opportunity to face the obliging Stoke rearguard, with investors circling early ahead of the Black Cats’ two Gameweek 37 home fixtures (CHE, EVE).
Hazard Shines As Chelsea Win Big
Chelsea arrested their two-match losing streak with a thumping 4-1 win at Bournemouth.
Eden Hazard scored a brace on his return from the treatment room, timing his late ascent perfectly ahead of Chelsea’s double Gameweek 37 (sun, liv).
While Hazard’s haul offers encouragement, it should be noted that the 10.8 Belgian was facing a Bournemouth defence that has now conceded 16 goals over their last six. Fantasy managers should perhaps show caution ahead of head-to-heads with Spurs, Liverpool and Leicester over the run-in.
Despite this, Chelsea’s midfield suddenly looks laden with promise. Willian and Pedro added to their season goal tallies, while Cesc Fabregas (three assists) and Nemanja Matic (assist) supplied the ammunition.
Pedro courts attention by virtue of a record that shows five goals in his last five league starts. Whilst he’s been unable to cement a regular role to this point, Guus Hiddink has shown faith in the winger by handing him four consecutive starts. The Spaniard is priced at 8.8, with compatriot Fabregas now valued at 8.4 and Willian back on 6.9: all three are likely to earn attention ahead of Gameweek 37.
Investment in Hiddink’s defence looks less appealing: Chelsea have now kept just a single clean sheet in their last ten league outings.
Liverpool Surrender At Anfield
Liverpool’s home tie against Newcastle United ended in a 2-2 draw after they squandered a two-goal lead in the second half.
As expected, Jurgen Klopp rotated his troops ahead of the Reds’ Europa League trip to Villarreal, notably benching Philippe Coutinho and Nathaniel Clyne. Given that the second leg falls after their road clash against Swansea City and is likely to prompt a similar strategy, owners of the 8.3 priced Brazilian will certainly be considering options.
In a prelude to the action at Anfield, news broke that Liverpool have elected to rule Mamadou Sakho out of contention while the centre-back is investigated by UEFA for an alleged violation of anti-doping regulations. Sakho must be regarded as a major doubt for next weekend’s Swansea trip and perhaps beyond. The Frenchman’s absence looks to have reinforced Dejan Lovren’s start in the Reds’ rearguard, although Klopp does have the option of starting with Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel at the Liberty.
In attack, Daniel Sturridge scored in his fourth straight start to perpetuate his purple patch. That being said, with Christian Benteke expected to return to training in the next seven days, there will still concerns that the 10.1-priced striker could be preserved after the Villarreal showdown.
Wrapping up Liverpool’s Fantasy output, Adam Lallana etched his name onto the scoresheet and Alberto Moreno recorder a pair of assists. The Spanish full-back has left it late to fulfill some of his early season promise: he has now accrued a goal and three assists in three starts but remains susceptible to rotation over Liverpool’s final four league fixtures.
Battling Magpies Salvage A Point
Newcastle secured a potentially valuable point as they mounted an impressive comeback on Merseyside.
Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback scored the goals, with Vurnon Anita and Georginio Wijnaldum delivering the assists.
The Magpies have now chalked up nine goals in five outings, which bodes well for their attacking potential ahead of a home clash with Crystal Palace and a trip to relegated Villa.
While it seems unlikely that Newcastle will see heavy end of season investment, those holding Aleks Mitrovic and/or Andros Townsend as a hangover from Gameweek 34 may now sit tight. Mitrovic was again benched and used as an impact substitute by Rafa Benitez but, given the next two opponents, could be retained in FPL squads for Gameweek 36 at least.
Koeman Shuffles the Pack
Southampton found their attacking rhythm on the road as they eased to a 4-2 win over relegated Aston Villa.
While the form of Shane Long and Dusan Tadic caught the eye from this encounter, it was Ronald Koeman’s decision to hand Jay Rodriguez his first Premier League start since his return from long-term injury that was most significant.
That ensured that Graziano Pelle dropped to the Saints’ bench and sat out this encounter having gained the backing of 176,000 new FPL owners heading into the Gameweek. Pelle had scored four goals in his last five outings but was unable to hold off the claims of Rodriguez who had been limited to U21 starts and cameos from the bench until Saturday.
Koeman also saw fit to drop Sadio Mane to the bench, despite the Senegal attacker’s recent form that had garnered three goals in his last four. Mane eventually emerged as a second half sub to head Southampton’s fourth from a Cedric delivery.
It was left to Long and Tadic to inflict the early damage to Villa. Long took his goals tally to 9 for the season and matched his biggest FPL haul of 12-points courtesy of two assists. The Irishman was backed by over 60,000 new owners heading into the Villa Park clash. Meanwhile, Tadic’s two-goals earned him a season best 15-points, taking him on to and impressive eight goals for the campaign.
With City and Spurs up next for the Saints, it would seem unlikely that their assets will attract further interest. Indeed, Pelle’s new owners will surely be considering an immediate exit route with the prospect that Rodriguez will now severely dent his pitch time for the remaining three fixtures.
Everton Exit To Late Clincher
Romelu Lukaku’s miss from the spot, coupled with a string of wasted opportunities, ensured that Everton fell to a late defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final.
Everton’s Wembley exit ensured that they will have no distractions over their remaining four fixtures, which include a Gameweek 37 double at Leicester and Sunderland.
It seems doubtful that FPL managers will coming running to their cause, however, having been let down by Everton’s performances and teamsheets in both Gameweek 33 and 34.
Lukaku is a particular concern. While the Belgian clearly has the potential to deliver heavy returns on his day, he’s now gone six matches in all competitions without a goal – perhaps suggesting a degree of disquiet within the Everton camp, amidst doubts on the security of Roberto Martinez’ role.
Martial Winner Earns United Passage
Anthony Martial chose the FA Cup semi-final to deliver his latest United goal, having blanked over the Gameweek 34 double fixtures.
United’s progress to the May final will surely be a factor in Louis van Gaal’s team selections from this point on. While they are pressing neighbours City for a top four berth, Van Gaal will look upon the final day Old Trafford meeting with Bournemouth as an opportunity to rest key players and hand minutes to second string assets.
This should certainly be a factor when considering heavy investment in United ahead of their Gameweek 37 double with Norwich and West Ham (both away).
