Weโve plenty to consider in our pre-Gameweek assessment of the upcoming round of fixtures. Jamie Vardy goes up against West Brom’s defence, Harry Kaneโs momentum at home to Villa, Everton and Southamptonโs form as the fixtures fall in their favour, and Cityโs armband options as Norwich roll up to the Etihad are all on this evening’s menu…
Vardy against Pulisโ defenceโฆ.
Now owned by a massive 46% of FPL managers on the back of ten goals in as many matches, the Leicester talisman is braced for one of his toughest tests so far. The consistent Vardy has scored in each of the last seven but now visits a West Brom backline thatโs already served up six clean sheets this season. Those who have doubled up on Vardy and Riyad Mahrez will be hoping one, or both, can do the business against Tony Pulisโ notoriously tight defence as the fixtures start to turn against the Foxes from Gameweek 14 onwards.
Kaneโs momentum โฆ.
A hat-trick at Bournemouth has kick-started a major bandwagon, with the Spurs striker earning more transfers in than any other frontman over the last few days. Kane had struggled to tuck away his chances prior to the Cherries clash but with his confidence on the up, can he continue his ascent up the Fantasy standings at home to managerless Villa? Spurs are now unbeaten since Gameweek 1 and, as we saw last term, Kane will be difficult to ignore if he starts firing on all cylinders.
Willian as a viable Chelsea optionโฆ.
Whilst Eden Hazardโs struggles have cast a shadow over Chelseaโs Fantasy potential, the Brazilian has been quietly building a case for his inclusion. Willian has bagged two goals and an assist in the last four now and also struck the Bluesโ consolation in a 2-1 Champions League loss to Porto late last month. At 6.8, a fine performance against Liverpool this weekend may persuade some heโs worth a punt as the fixtures start to turn in the defending championsโ favour thereafter.
Firminoโs chance under Kloppโฆ.
Handed an 87-minute run out against Bournemouth in the cup last night, the Brazilianโs display was talked up by Jurgen Klopp after the German clinched his first win in charge. Firmino arrived at Anfield amid much fanfare but struggled to make an impact under Brendan Rodgers , showing little of the talents that served up 32 goals and 24 assists in his final two years at Hoffenheim. With Philippe Coutinho struggling for form, though, will Klopp be able to get the best out of Firmino and heap further pressure onto Jose Mourinho at the Bridge?
Lukaku and Barkley as the fixtures turn kindโฆ.
After a dire opening schedule, the Toffees are primed for significant investment ahead of a fine run of fixtures from now until Gameweek 19. Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley have already proven themselves against some of the leagueโs toughest opponents and will be looking to maintain that form as Sunderland roll up to Goodison. Sitting in 24% and 21% of FPL sides respectively, they clearly have the ownership levels to punish those who have yet to climb on board.
Mane and Van Dijk as our differentialsโฆ
Graziano Pelle (32%) and Jose Fonte (13%) aside, the Saints have mainly been overlooked by Fantasy managers this season. A home clash against whipping boys Bournemouth kick starts an eye-catching run of matches that could propel Ronald Koemanโs men up the table. Sadio Mane has three goals and an assist in four and Virgil van Dijk has netted twice in six appearances yet are owned by just 8% and 1% respectively. Early adopters will be hoping the pair can punish the struggling Cherries before the inevitable bandwagon ensues.
Cityโs captaincy conundrum as the Canaries come callingโฆ.
A 5-1 cup win over Palace last night means that the league leaders have racked up ten goals in their last two domestic home matches without Sergio Aguero on board. With visitors Norwich conceding six times at Newcastle in their previous road trip, City look primed to run riot, though picking the correct armband option could be a tricky task. Kevin de Bruyne leads this weekโs Captain Poll with over 29% of the votes cast but bearing in mind that Wilfried Bony and Raheem Sterling overshadowed the Belgian with 16 and 19 points respectively in their last league match at the Etihad, itโs not quite so clear cut. Agueroโs injury may not have diminished their points potential but with David Silva possibly returning and Yaya Toure also in the mix, the Argentineโs absence arguably makes that armband call a little more tricky.
Van Gaalโs answer to Unitedโs toilsโฆ.
The Red Devils limped out of the Capital One Cup on spot-kicks last night after failing to score against Middlesbrough over 120 minutes. United have netted just once in three matches in all competitions now, with Van Gaalโs decision to shift Anthony Martial out wide doing little to boost their attacking potential. Yes, the upcoming fixtures are in their favour but if the Frenchman continues to be utilised as a winger, that 27% ownership will surely continue to plummet.
Bilicโs attacking set-up at Vicarage Roadโฆ.
Last weekโs 2-1 win over Chelsea gives the West Ham boss plenty to ponder in the final third. Whilst thereโs no question over Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanziniโs starts, both Diafra Sakho and Victor Moses will be fretting over their pitch time as the Hammers roll up to Watford. With Moses unavailable to face his parent club last week, replacement Mauro Zarate staked a claim with a goal and maximum bonus, whilst Carroll emerged from the bench to grab the winner as Sakho was shifted onto the flank. Bilic will perhaps be a little reluctant to tinker too much with a wining side but itโs clear that his options are increasing as the season unfolds.
