Dele Alli scores twice for the third successive Gameweek as Spurs extinguish Chelsea’s 13-match winning streak. Christian Eriksen supplies both assists as Eden Hazard’s form on the road continues to cause concern.
On the Rise
Dele Alli
It’s seven goals in the last four Gameweeks for the Spurs midfielder after scoring twice in the 2-0 win over Chelsea – his third successive brace.
Serving up points in six of his last eight outings, Alli has soared to third in the Fantasy Premier League midfield standings and has now scored 10 goals this term – matching his tally for the 2015/16 campaign.
Number one for transfers in this Gameweek with a massive 166,000+ new owners, Spurs’ upcoming schedule suggests that Alli could keep on delivering as the bandwagon picks up pace – the north London side host West Brom and Middlesbrough and travel to Sunderland in the next four.
Christian Eriksen
While Alli claimed top billing at the Lane, Eriksen kept his tally ticking over by supplying the assists for both the starlet’s goals.
The Dane’s 11-point haul – a fifth double-figure return in eight appearances – took him to fifth amongst FPL midfielders, highlighting his points potential ahead of those aforementioned fixtures.
Indeed, with the 10.9-priced Harry Kane failing to get amongst the goals, the prospect of doubling up on Eriksen (8.6) and Alli (8.4) may prove more appealing for those looking to invest in Mauricio Pochettino’s attack.
The Spurs Defence
With their first-choice defensive regulars all fit and free from suspension, Spurs chalked up an eighth clean sheet of the season last night – second only to Chelsea’s 11.
Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to roll out a 3-4-2-1 set-up bodes well for the prospects of Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, who were both utilised as wing-backs against the Blues.
Indeed, Rose has now produced attacking or defensive returns in each of his last five appearances – an average of 5.1 points per match is second only to Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (5.5) amongst defenders. He did, however, pick up an eigth yellow card and is now just two cautions from a two-match ban.
The return of Toby Alderweireld in recent matches also looks key. Spurs have chalked up six shutouts in 12 matches with the Belgian on board, compared to two clean sheets in eight without him.
With the schedule now in their favour, investment in Pochettino’s main men at both ends of the pitch looks likely.
In Decline
Eden Hazard
The Belgian’s struggles on the road continued last night – he’s scored just twice away from Stamford Bridge this season.
More worryingly for his 34.7% owners, Hazard’s blank means he’s found the net only twice in his previous eight league outings – a far cry from the performances that served up seven goals and three assists in the first 11 Gameweeks.
Should he fail to pick up the points away to Leicester City next time out, Hazard – who also faces Arsenal and Liverpool in the next four Gameweeks – could see the exodus pick up pace as we look for better value in the premium bracket.
Harry Kane
With Alli and Eriksen bringing in the points again, the Spurs striker left his 13% ownership disappointed by failing to score at home for the third successive fixture.
Although Kane’s 16-point haul away to Watford last time out reminded us of his goal-getting talents, at a price of 10.9, there’s no doubt his appeal is lessened by the more budget-friendly alternatives in the Spurs midfield.
Given that the battle for premium-priced forwards has intensified recently, Kane needs to step up his consistency in order to prevent further sales as we look to Sergio Aguero, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Diego Costa up front.
Willian
A run of four straight starts came to an end last night as Pedro returned from suspension to oust the Brazilian from Antonio Conte’s first XI.
Willian’s brace against Stoke City in the previous Gameweek had suggested he would retain a starting berth at White Hart Lane, offering us a viable mid-price alternative to Hazard.
Yet a 26-minute cameo appearance off the bench confirmed that his acquisition clearly still comes with a major risk, with Conte still somewhat uncertain over that role on the right of the Chelsea front three.
