Double Gameweek 37 plays a major part in our analysis of the previous round of fixtures. Eden Hazard serves up his highest haul of the season ahead of Chelsea’s final four matches, Big Sam’s Sunderland are grinding their way to safety, whilst the likelihood of an early end to the title race may force a reassessment of our plans for the run-in.
The Player
A deadly double in Chelsea’s 4-1 rout at Bournemouth has catapulted Eden Hazard back onto our radars for the final three rounds of fixtures.
Having racked up 190, 202 and 233 points in his first three seasons at Stamford Bridge, the Belgian had long-cemented his status as Fantasy royalty ahead of the current campaign.
No one could have predicted what followed, though. With injuries and a lack of form hampering his prospects, Hazard looked a shadow of his former self and managed just a single goal and four assists prior to the weekend trip to Dean Court.
Now fully recovered from a hip problem, Hazard’s brace against the Cherries could barely have come at a better time. With the likes of Liverpool and Man City’s midfields remaining prone to rotation due to European commitments, our attentions now turn to Stamford Bridge as the dethroned champions look to finish the season with a flourish.
Hiddink’s charges may have no more than pride to play for but Hazard is determined to maintain momentum and has already admitted he’s desperate to end Tottenham’s title bid next Monday evening. If the Foxes fail to beat United on Sunday, a win for the hosts at Stamford Bridge would do just that.
With a pair of double Gameweek 37 trips to Sunderland and Liverpool preceding a final day visit from the Foxes, the Belgian leads a host of Chelsea options jostling for our attention ahead of four matches in the final three rounds of fixtures. Whilst the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Willian, Pedro and Diego Costa also offer viable options, Hazard looks to have that spring in his step again as the Stamford Bridge outfit seek a silver lining whilst bringing down the curtain on a miserable title defence.
The Team
A goalless draw at home to Arsenal helped Sunderland clamber out of the drop zone on Sunday afternoon.
With four matches still remaining, Big Sam’s side now seem in pole position to avoid relegation after serving up a third clean sheet in their last four league outings. Only league leaders Leicester have breached the Black Cats’ defence over that period, with West Brom and Norwich also failing to find a way past a much-improved rearguard.
Whilst five-goal Patrick van Aanholt is the obvious target, Vito Mannone’s heroics between the sticks have been integral to the Wearsiders’ recent renaissance – the Italian has served up back-to-back double-figure hauls ahead of Sunderland’s four fixtures in the final three Gameweeks.
In the centre of the park, though, there’s little grabbing our attention – the early promise of Wahbi Khazri has been extinguished, with the new boy going eight appearances without returns. Although Fabio Borini’s classification as a forward limits his appeal due to a role out wide, the Italian still boasts a considerable goal threat of late, firing 13 attempts in his last four outings – only five strikers have managed more.
Included in that quintet is Jermain Defoe (15 efforts), whose exploits may ultimately determine Sunderland’s top-flight status. Priced at a mere 5.2, he still sits in the differential bracket and is owned by just 7% despite scoring 13 times – a tally bettered by only six players this term.
With trips to Stoke and Watford on either side of a pair of vital home encounters against Chelsea and Everton in double Gameweek 37, the cause for optimism is building on Wearside as Big Sam looks to claim yet another great escape.
Talking Point
Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with West Brom last night may well have repercussions for Fantasy managers over the run-in.
Sitting seven points behind Leicester with just three matches remaining, Mauricio Pochettino’s men now have it all to do. Should the Foxes win at United on Sunday or if Spurs stumble at Chelsea the following evening, the title dream is over for those at White Hart Lane.
Essentially, then, we could be faced with a situation where the league is decided prior to double Gameweek 37, where eight sides are set to play twice.
Up until now, both title contenders have fielded very settled line-ups with everything still on the line but if the race is over, there’s a real possibility we could see more rest and rotation creep in.
Such a scenario may well persuade more to reassess their strategies for the final three rounds of fixtures.
Certainly, those holding Dele Alli will be considering their options after the youngster was charged by the FA for his altercation with Claudio Yacob last night – a potential three-match ban for violent conduct would rule him out for the rest of the campaign. Jamie Vardy owners may also be mulling over a transfer out after his suspension was extended earlier today, leaving the Leicester with just two possible matches remaining.
That pair could be the first in an exodus that sees many migrate to double Gameweek contenders should Leicester be crowned champions by the end of the upcoming round of fixtures.
Whilst Liverpool’s line-ups and Romelu Lukaku’s form may act as deterrents to would-be investors, the likes of West Ham play their final two matches at Upton Park before moving ground and will want to go out in style. Elsewhere, Louis van Gaal still harbours hopes of a top four finish for United – which could ultimately save his job – and with Sunderland’s bid for survival set to go right to the wire, there’s enough on offer for those looking to roll the double Gameweek dice one last time.
