Our attentions are focused firmly on the upcoming round of fixtures as we prepare for the final double Gameweek of 2016/17. Eden Hazard’s return to favour, Jermain Defoe’s home form, West Ham’s approach to their final two fixtures at Upton Park, Claudio Ranieri’s tactics with the title in the bag and Tottenham’s response to Monday’s collapse at Chelsea all make our lunchtime menu.
The Hazard revival…
Named amongst the subs at home to Spurs after bagging a brace at Bournemouth, the Belgian emerged from the bench with a title-deciding goal that brings him back onto our radars in time for the double. Hazard’s dazzling second-half display looks set to see him unleashed from the start at Sunderland this Saturday and with a trip to Liverpool’s unconvincing defence in midweek, he’s even crept up to second in our Captain Poll. Can he carry on that momentum as he looks to build confidence ahead of this summer’s Euros or will we be burned again by a player that scored just once in the first 35 Gameweeks?
Defoe’s home improvements…
A late leveler at Stoke took the Sunderland striker’s tally to 14 goals for the season, with ten of those arriving in his last 11 away appearances. Earlier this week, Big Sam acknowledged that the Black Cats’ style of play is best-suited to Defoe on his travels – indeed, the striker has notched just three times at the Stadium of Light by comparison. With their survival on the line ahead of back-to-back visits from Chelsea and Everton, though, the Wearsiders need the veteran to step up in front of his own fans if they’re to have any chance of clambering clear of the drop zone.
The Hammers’ goodbye to Upton Park…
Having scored at least twice in each of their last seven league outings, West Ham have pushed their way to the forefront of many Fantasy managers’ double Gameweek plans. The emotion and motivation of the upcoming week, which sees them play their final two matches at Upton Park, has merely added to our enthusiasm with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Mark Noble and Andy Carroll amongst this week’s top targets. After years of Big Sam playing the percentages, Bilic will be well aware that the fans want to see their side bow out in style in the “West Ham” way and goals look on the menu again as Swansea and United prepare to pay visit.
Ranieri’s approach with the title in the bag…
The past few months have seen Leicester tighten up on their way to the title, with a raft of clean sheets vital to their success. Having clinched the crown on Monday as a result of Tottenham’s draw at Chelsea, Claudio Ranieri’s men now have the chance to go on the offensive once again and celebrate their triumph in style. With Danny Drinkwater banned and Robert Huth facing an FA charge, will the Italian go on the front foot and allow Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy to run riot or will he stick to the usual plan A as Everton roll up to the King Power?
Norwich’s need for a talisman…
The Canaries are one of a few sides with everything still to play for ahead of home clashes against United and Watford. Whilst relegation rivals Newcastle and Sunderland have Andros Townsend and Jermain Defoe to thanks for their upturn in form, Alex Neil’s side have failed to score in each of the last three Gameweeks. It’s all or nothing now for the Carrow Road outfit and they look more reliant than ever for the likes of Robbie Brady, Nathan Redmond and Dieumerci Mbokani to step up and prevent a tumble into the Championship.
Van Gaal’s team sheets ahead of Wembley…
United’s pair of road trips look promising from an attacking perspective, with upcoming hosts Norwich and West Ham anything but resilient at the back. Nonetheless, as we saw in their previous double Gameweek after Anthony Martial was afforded a 15-minute sub appearance at home to Villa, Louis van Gaal is clearly keen to rest and rotate with one eye on the FA Cup as he looks to end the season with silverware. Subject to over 42,000 transfers in so far, Martial is the most sought-after striker in FPL this week but his manager’s tinkering clearly has the potential to dent United’s Fantasy prospects prior to their Wembley meet with Palace.
Tottenham’s morale…
Monday night’s capitulation at the Bridge leaves Mauricio Pochettino’s men licking their wounds ahead of a crucial home clash with Southampton that’s vital to their prospects of finishing second. A total of nine cautions against Chelsea, allied with an FA charge that’s likely to see Mousa Dembele join Dele Alli in the stands due to suspension, suggests that the cracks are starting to show at White Hart Lane. With Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose both doubts and Harry Kane’s record of one goal in nine league matches with Dembele on board more than a little alarming, is it time to bail on Pochettino’s regulars or do they have the mettle to overcome their title disappointment?
Townsend against Villa’s defence…
Last weekend’s free-kick winner against Palace took the Newcastle wide man’s tally to three goals and two assists in the last six matches. Townsend looks a man transformed under the guidance of Rafa Benitez and has almost single-handedly dragged them out of the drop zone to the brink of safety. With rivals Sunderland still holding a match in hand, however, the Magpies will turn to their winter signing once again as they look to take advantage of Villa’s dire defence and get another three points on the board.
The Saints’ momentum…
After putting four past Villa and City in the last two Gameweeks, Southampton sit just three points behind fifth-placed United ahead of their final two fixtures. Ronald Koeman’s recent decision to dump Graziano Pelle and instead utilise Shane Long as the lone striker has added greater mobility to a transformed Saints’ attack, with Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane also racking up the points out wide. As Spurs attempt to recover from Monday’s setback, can the Saints heap further misery on their former manager as they step up their late bid for a Europa League slot?
Pellegrini’s last Etihad hurrah…
Last night’s loss at the Bernabeu has ensured there’s no fairytale ending to Manuel Pellegrini’s tenure at the Etihad. Instead, the Chilean is handed a home match against Arsenal on Sunday that his side must win to overtake the Gunners into third spot and place themselves in pole position for an automatic Champions League slot for 2016/17. After ringing the changes for St Mary’s last week, the outgoing manager must surely roll out the big guns as City look to clinch a vital victory in Pellegrini’s final home match in charge.
Sturridge’s minutes…
At a time when rest and rotation seems the order of the day under Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool frontman’s run of six starts in the last seven bodes well for his double Gameweek pitch time. Sturridge – who scored off the bench in his one sub appearance over that spell – seems one of the few players almost immune to Klopp’s domestic tinkering and has racked up five goals and an assist during that time frame. Can he emerge as a valid option for our three-man frontlines or will the Anfield manager’s team sheets render the Merseysiders a no-go area once again?
