Diego Costa and Marcos Alonso are among the goals as Chelsea move one step closer to the title with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough to place question marks over their Gameweek 37 and 38 teamsheets.
On the Rise
Diego Costa
The second most-captained player in the Gameweek, Costa struck his 20th league goal of 2016/17 as the Blues soared seven points clear of Spurs with three fixtures remaining.
Backed by over 10% of FPL managers with the Gameweek captaincy, the Spain international is second only to Gabriel Jesus for transfers in up front since Friday’s deadline passed – more than 38,000 have already acquired his services as the league leaders prepare for a Double Gameweek 37 that hands them a trip to West Brom and a home tie with Watford.
The main concern, though, is if Chelsea win at The Hawthorns on Friday night, then the title is already over before Spurs can kick another ball in anger.
Given that they also face Arsenal in the FA Cup final on May 27 – six days after the Gameweek 38 home clash against relegated Sunderland – then a victory against the Baggies means that Conte could opt to rest and rotate his regulars over those final two home matches, potentially scuppering our plans.
However, it’s worth noting that Costa has played 90 minutes in each of Chelsea’s last 13 league matches, and bearing in mind that summer signing Michy Batshuayi has failed to start a single league match thus far, the 33% holding the former Atletico Madrid man will be confident he can retain his starting berth.
Marcos Alonso
Netting Chelsea’s second in the 3-0 stroll, the Spaniard’s stunning end to the season continues to reap reward – he’s racked up two goals, an assist and a pair of clean sheets in his last four outings.
Alonso’s 14-point tally helped him reclaim top spot in the FPL defender standings ahead of team-mate Gary Cahill, with Cesar Azpilicueta sitting in third spot after providing an assist for the wing-back’s strike.
Yet there’s no doubt that the summer signing has been the main man for FPL managers in defence – an average of 5.8 points per match is identical to team-mate Costa and bettered by just six regular players over the current campaign.
Having played 90 minutes in 13 of his last 14 league appearances, Alonso has also been immune to rotation, though the likes of Nathan Ake could offer an option to Conte if he opts to rest any regulars if/when the league is won.
Cesc Fabregas
One of our three “Differentials” for Gameweek 36, the playmaker proved a timely differential ahead of Double Gameweek 37 by serving up a 12-point tally against ‘Boro.
Owned by 2% of FPL managers, Fabregas has started five successive home matches, producing double-figures on three of those occasions.
Impressively, he’s now served up attacking returns in nine of his side’s last 10 at Stamford Bridge.
With Conte perhaps keen to protect N’Golo Kante’s thigh injury with one eye on the Wembley showpiece, the 6.9-priced Fabregas could be worthy of a flutter for those remaining three league fixtures.
In Decline
Eden Hazard
Hauled off just after 70 minutes with the hosts 3-0 ahead, the Belgian failed to extend a recent run that had delivered returns in seven of eight appearances prior to last night’s victory.
While there seems little doubt that he’ll start against West Brom as Conte looks to get the title in the bag, Hazard’s pitch time continues to be managed by the Italian – he has now been subbed off in 23 of his 33 starts, more than any player in the Premier League this season.
With Pedro and Willian more than capable of delivering from the wide roles, the 34%-owned Hazard is arguably most at risk of being handed a day off than other Chelsea regulars, as Conte plots to clinch the double in his first season.
