Our attentions turn to the upcoming round of fixtures now, as we look for the pertinent points of interest to Fantasy managers.
We’ll be keeping an eye on Man City’s attack and Tottenham’s full-backs for any signs of rotation after their Champions League exertions. David Luiz’ second Chelsea debut, Riyad Mahrez’ form and Ross Barkley’s pitch time are also on our agenda.
Pochettino’s Euro hangover rotation…
Last season we saw the Spurs boss incur the wrath of Fantasy managers by operating a time share scheme at full-back after Europa League ties. With Danny Rose sidelined, we’re hoping that he’s more reluctant to shuffle the pack for the Gameweek 5 visit of Sunderland.
Nonetheless, Kyle Walker could be under threat, whilst in midfield Mauricio Pochettino is awash with options, made all the more confusing by the form of Son Heung-min.
Ruthless at Stoke but laboured against Monaco, there are many uncertainties surrounding Spurs heading into Sunday’s clash.
Kane’s fortunes with Dembele reinstalled…
Harry Kane’s form is certainly one of those unknowns.
It’s presumed that, having scored in the Gameweek 4 win at Stoke, we’ll now see Kane’s confidence accelerate and the goals begin to flow.
Added to that, with Mousa Dembele now available to lend his promptings and surges to midfield, the theory is that Kane can stop dropping deep and sit on the last defender, camping out in the opponents’ penalty area.
But Kane’s midweek showing was worrying. His legs still appear heavy – his impact on Spurs’ performance minimal compared to the heights of last season. He needs a big display on Sunday in order to win back the faith of Fantasy investors.
Luiz bid to claim his start…
Antonio Conte has confirmed that David Luiz will step into his back four against Liverpool in the absence of John Terry, gifting the Brazilian an early opportunity to claim a regular starting role.
Luiz is an intriguing prospect – bristling with attacking promise, there will be concerns that this is countered with a propensity to make errors and gift opportunities to opponents.
Jurgen Klopp’s fluid and pacey attack will be a major test.
Mahrez back in the groove…
We pre-empted a return to form with our Fading Fast article last night – it was in the stars that Mahrez would deliver on the European stage to bely his stuttering start to the Premier League season.
For all the flashes against Club Brugge, the Algerian has yet to score from open play, with two of his goals from the spot. Claudio Ranieri has even indicated that Mahrez jumped the penalty pecking order to claim the kick from new signing Islam Slimani.
With midfield options aplenty, Mahrez will have to demonstrate further progress in the clash with Burnley if we are to look his way once again.
Ranieri’s introduction of Slimani…
Handed his full debut in Europe, there’s every chance that Islam Slimani will sit out the visit of Burnley to the King Power.
However, it’s clear that the Foxes record signing will eventually be installed on the teamsheet. Ranieri has hinted at a gradual process but will surely be tempted to throw him in against the Clarets, giving his partnership with Jamie Vardy an early opportunity to flourish.
Vardy’s back-to-back goals already has him edging back onto our radars but, with an 8.5 valuation, Slimani could eventually supersede the England man if his permanent role in a 4-4-2 is confirmed.
Pep’s plans for an embarrassment of riches…
Manchester City’s Saturday fixture with Bournemouth is a potentially profitable affair but honing in on certainties on Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet looks decidedly tricky.
It’s felt that Nolito will start having sat out Wednesday’s Champions League tie. There’s concern that Leroy Sane will be handed his full debut following back-to-back appearances from the bench – clearly Raheem Sterling’s minutes are a concern.
David Silva’s absence against Borussia Monchengladbach was billed as a precaution but we have to wonder if Pep will need to risk the Spaniard this weekend. Silva is a precious and fragile asset.
Saturday’s XI will hopefully offer clues on Pep’s tendency to tinker with his City team.
The Bilic backlash to Hornets humbling…
Surely Slaven Bilic will react to last weekend’s defensive capitulation?
It’s presumed that James Collins is hanging by a thread after a poor showing helped Watford’s turnaround victory at the London Stadium. Bilic seems unlikely to opt for 3-5-2 with Michail Antonio unshackled from a wing-back role, so Angelo Ogbonna could be used in a straight swap for Collins, depriving us of a precious 4.6 asset.
Should the Welshman retain his start, Ogbonna’s status in the Hammers squad would surely be confirmed along with the security of our investment. Whether Collins can return clean sheets given West Ham’s current form is another matter.
Barkley’s response to ruthless Koeman…
Poor Ross Barkley has had a rough couple of weeks. Overlooked by Sam Allardyce for England, just as he looks to prove a point he produces an abject first-half and gets hooked at the break.
Barkley wouldn’t have suffered such treatment under Roberto Martinez and that perhaps is key to why things are looking up under Ronald Koeman.
The Dutchman assured us that he’d have a quiet word with Barkley ahead of the weekend meeting with Middlesbrough. Whether that includes a little chat explaining he’ll be on the bench come Saturday remains to be seen.
Certainly Everton came alive without Barkley, stretching Sunderland with pace and punishing them via Romelu Lukaku’s hat-trick.
Lukaku’s bid to heighten our selection headache…
The shockwaves from that hat-trick still resonate, with Lukaku strongly backed to follow that up with returns for the visit of ‘Boro.
For many, the Belgian was a short-term stop-gap – drafted in to fill the Aguero void and never really expected to fill his boots full-time.
Many will turn back to Aguero regardless but Lukaku’s form may trigger a change in strategy – either leading to us questioning the role of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in our squads or, more likely, somehow look to shave off the funds from our midfield to retain Lukaku as part of an all-powerful front three.
…and the potential Bolasie cure…
While Lukaku’s form could create a dilemma, Yannick Bolasie may just present an acceptable solution.
Priced at just 6.0, the DR Congo winger impressed at the Stadium of Light on Monday, ripping through the Black Cats defence and providing a teasing cross for Lukaku’s second.
The winger could yet provide suitable cover of Everton’s blossoming prospects and obliging fixtures. The Boro clash will offer further clues.
Zaha’s bid for consistency…
Wilfried Zaha has the tools and talent to play his way into our squads but has never been able to produce a consistent end product.
Last weekend’s man-of-the-match display at the Riverside provides a new platform for Zaha to flourish or fail against Stoke City this weekend.
The Potters are almost the perfect opposition. Bottom of the league with more shots in the box and goals conceded than any other side, Zaha should be relishing the opportunity to run at Eric Pieters and wreak havoc.
If he can take this opportunity, his 5.4 price tag may yet appeal.
Rashford’s claim for a place in Jose’s plans…
Jose Mourinho was quick to admit it – his decision to bring in Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard in the derby clash against City was far from a success.
Seemingly still unconvinced over his options on the flanks, the United manager has handed Marcus Rashford a first start of the season against Feyenoord in this evening’s Europa League clash.
Mourinho resisted the temptation to name Rashford in his first XI against City, despite seeing the youngster emerge from the bench to net the winner against Hull in Gameweek 3.
If he catches the eye tonight, Jose may well look to unleash Rashford from the first whistle at Vicarage Road on Sunday, with the Red Devils looking to take advantage of Jose Holebas’ forward forays on the left of Watford’s 3-5-2 formation.
