FA Cup quarter-final wins for a vibrant Spurs and a lifeless, if efficient, Manchester United bring more clarity to the Gameweek 35 picture.
The first full match without Harry Kane proved to be a perfectly pleasant one for Spurs as they saw off Swansea City 3-0 with little fuss and plenty of swagger.
Christian Eriksen ran the show, scoring twice from outside the area – four of his last six goals in all competitions have been from long range, including all of his last three.
The Dane had managed just one goal across his previous seven starts in all competitions, but his display at the Liberty Stadium reminded us all of his quality ahead of two double Gameweeks still to come.
Coach Mauricio Pochetino reacted to the Kane-shaped hole in his side by utilising Son Heung-min as the lone striker, with Lucas Moura taking on the South Korean’s duties on the left and Erik Lamela afforded a freer, more central role as Dele Alli dropped to the bench.
The changes worked well, the Argentine scoring one goal and setting up another and Moura also providing an assist. Moussa Sissoko was the other player to register an assist on the day.
Son’s blank was more of a concern as his attacking threat was relatively muted – he managed only two attempts on goal – but he was unlucky to have a goal disallowed for a decidedly marginal offside call that was confirmed (just about) by VAR.
The burgeoning form of Lamela could be a concern for the 14.3% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who own Son, although Pochettino might well stick with the mobility of the South Korean over the more classic target man attributes that Fernando Llorente brings to the lone striker role.
The recovery time of Kane remains the key issue.
If he can return for Gameweek 34 – a likely double for Spurs that is looked at in greater detail below – then Son might not play both fixtures.
But until we receive an update on the issue, Son should continue to be a key asset, although Eriksen could well end up being the stronger double Gameweek candidate with his greater security of start.
As for Swansea, Premier League survival remains their ultimate goal, and a likely Double Gameweek 34 involving vital home matches with Everton and Southampton is now on the cards.
That will promote the stock of their budget assets for those playing their Wildcards in Gameweeks 32 or 33.
Jordan Ayew (5.4) will have served his suspension by the time the double comes around, and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (4.7) and centre-half Alfie Mawson (5.1) could also be targets.
United win ugly
Goals from Romelu Lukaku and the excellent Nemanja Matic were enough to see off a spirited Brighton 2-0, but the win did little to allay the doubts over Jose Mourinho’s misfiring men.
Matic set up the Belgian’s first-half opener before sealing the deal from an Ashley Young cross after the break.
But in between, Brighton were the better side and they out-shot their hosts 17-8, with six attempts on target to United’s two.
The Red Devils were frequently as sluggish as in their 2-1 loss to Sevilla despite Mourinho making some big calls in his starting XI, with both Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba left on the bench.
Marouane Fellaini was another to be dropped as five changes were made to the Champions League side.
Sergio Romero, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw came in and Marcus Rashford and Young made way, with the latter replacing Shaw at half-time, presumably to combat the threat of the lively Solly March on Brighton’s right-hand side.
Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling were again the preferred centre-back pairing and they duly combined for only United’s second clean sheet in six matches in all competitions, although they rode their luck against a visiting attack spearheaded by Jurgen Locadia, who was making just his second Seagulls start.
That was one of five changes Chris Hughton made to the side beaten at Everton last weekend.
Anthony Knockaert was suspended and Gaetan Bong injured, while goalkeeper Mat Ryan, winger Jose Izquierdo and striker Glenn Murray also made way, with Tim Krul, Markus Suttner, Leonardo Ulloa, March and Locadia brought in.
United now have two double Gameweeks to come before the end of the season, but the form and confidence of much of their side remains a major concern.
Lukaku is the exception.
Currently the second most purchased player of Gameweek 32, he has three goals and two assists from his last five Gameweek starts, with strikes in both the FA Cup and Champions League to further boost his appeal.
How it’s all panning out
As a result of yesterday’s FA Cup ties, Gameweek 35’s fixtures involving Brighton v Spurs and Bournemouth v Man United will now be postponed and rescheduled.
But Swansea’s defeat means their trip to Man City is now confirmed in the Gameweek 35 schedule, which currently comprises:
Everton v Newcastle
Stoke City v Burnley
Watford v Crystal Palace
West Brom v Liverpool
Man City v Swansea City
Arsenal v West Ham
Chelsea v Huddersfield (TBC)
Leicester City vs Southampton (TBC)
Only one more fixture – one of those marked TBC – can now be added to that list, however, and it could be that both of those matches are also postponed.
If Chelsea lose today, then their home match with Huddersfield Town will take place in Gameweek 35.
Alternatively, Chelsea will have to beat Leicester City and Southampton lose to Wigan for the Saints’ trip to the King Power Stadium to remain a Gameweek 35 fixture.
Spurs now have probable double Gameweeks in 34 (MCI NEW) and 37 (wba bha), while Man United have a likely double Gameweek 34 involving West Brom at home and West Ham away, with Gameweek 37 probably involving trips to Brighton and Bournemouth.
Chelsea’s Gameweek 34 is likely to involve matches away at Southampton and Burnley and, should they beat the Foxes, a Gameweek 37 of Liverpool and Huddersfield at home would be the likely outcome.
Brighton should have trips to Crystal Palace and Man City in Gameweek 34 and home matches with Man United and Spurs in 37.
Southampton have a probable Gameweek 34 of Chelsea at home and Swansea City away, while victory over Wigan today would likely lead to a double Gameweek 37 of Everton and Leicester, both away.
Leicester’s Gameweek 34 should be Burnley away and Arsenal at home and, if they beat Chelsea or if Southampton get past Wigan, they’d entertain West Ham and Southampton in Gameweek 37.
The upshot of all that is the likes of Kane (if fit), Lukaku, Son and David De Gea will all be popular Wildcard targets for those looking to use the Bench Boost chip in Gameweek 34.
Further assets from the likes of Chelsea or Leicester will be added to that list after today’s results.
However, those who no longer have the Free Hit chip will have to be wary of going overboard on assets from teams that will miss Gameweek 35.
They will need to build for a Gameweek 34 Bench Boost with this in mind.
