Harry Kane limps off out of Spurs’ FA Cup win over Millwall with an ankle injury as Fantasy managers fret on his availability for the run-in. In his absence, Son Heung-min fires a hat-trick in the 6-0 rout, while Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli grab a goal apiece. Elsewhere, Georginio Wijnaldum delivers again, and Ashley Barnes boosts his third-forward credentials as Liverpool struggle to see off Burnley at Anfield.
On the Rise
Georginio Wijnaldum
In a Gameweek where many loaded up on Liverpool’s pricey front three, it was left to a couple of differentials to come to the fore at home to Burnley.
Transferred in by 12,000+ and 5,000+ respectively for the reduced programme of fixtures, Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can grabbed a goal apiece as Jurgen Klopp’s side eventually saw off a stubborn Clarets outfit.
While Can’s strike was his first since Gameweek 14, the Dutchman’s leveller maintained a fine run of form that has produced three goals and two assists in his last six appearances, blanking on just one of those occasions.
With Philippe Coutinho looking out-of-sorts and Roberto Firmino missing out with a knock today, Wijnaldum – at 7.5 and owned by just 1.6% of managers – may well emerge as a mid-price differential for the run-in.
Once next week’s visit to the Etihad Stadium has passed, the Reds are handed home encounters against Everton, Bournemouth and Palace, in addition to trips to Stoke City and West Brom, in the subsequent five.
Ashley Barnes
Having served a one-match suspension in the previous Gameweek, the Burnley striker made an immediate return to the first XI alongside Andre Gray up front.
Barnes’ opener once again highlighted his appeal as a budget third striker to be called upon off our benches –priced at a mere 4.5 in FPL, he now has four goals and a pair of assists in his last 11 league outings.
The lack of a double Gameweek further down the line dents his appeal, yet with Sunderland, Stoke and Middlesbrough in the next four, Barnes should continue to offer value for money over the short-term, at least.
Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli
While Harry Kane limped off early in the 6-0 thrashing of Millwall, the Spurs midfield duo show just why they both occupy a place in the top five FPL midfield standings.
Handed a role amongst the subs, Eriksen climbed off the bench to replace the stricken Kane and helped seal Spurs’ place in the last four of the FA Cup by grabbing a goal and two assists, while Alli delivered a goal and assist to score for the third home match in succession.
Despite failing to net for the last 11 Gameweeks, Eriksen has kept his tally ticking over with eight assists, including four sets of double-digits. Alli, meanwhile, has netted an impressive ten times during that period to lead his team-mate by 11 FPL points.
While the concern over Kane’s injury escalates, the upcoming schedule will ensure that many turn to Spurs’ midfielders regardless as Mauricio Pochettino’s side prepare for a fine run of fixtures that sees them host Southampton, Watford and Bournemouth in the next six and also travel to Burnley, Swansea City and Leicester City.
Son Heung-Min
Three goals and an assist in the Millwall demolition suggests that the Korean could ultimately prove the main beneficiary from a possible spell on the sidelines for Kane.
Initially tucking in alongside Alli in the central support roles behind Kane, Son thrived as a result of Spurs’ enforced reshuffle, with Pochettino initially overlooking summer signing Vincent Janssen as a replacement.
There are no doubts that Alli and Eriksen are the safest options amongst the Spurs midfield contingent – particularly if Spurs continue with a 3-4-2-1. Yet today’s performance indicates that Son – priced at 6.9 and owned by only 3% of FPL managers – could now emerge as a viable alternative should Pochettino’s star striker be ruled out for any period of time.
In Decline
Harry Kane
The Spurs frontman lasted just ten minutes against Millwall earlier this afternoon before being forced off with an ankle problem, potentially throwing the plans of Fantasy managers into disarray.
Just 24 hours after the previous deadline passed, Kane had already been acquired by 34,000+ new owners in light of the form that saw him serve up 12 goals and three assists in the previous ten Gameweeks.
Bearing in mind that Kane missed seven weeks (and five Gameweeks) of the season with an injury to his right ankle, a repeat of the same complaint would have a significant impact on how we assess both Spurs and our three-man frontlines.
Indeed, his manager’s post-match comments sounded somewhat ominous for the striker’s 21.4% ownership after he left the stadium on crutches:
“He twists his ankle – the same ankle as it was before against Sunderland. Now we will wait and assess tomorrow and wait and see. Today it’s difficult. It’s a similar situation to Sunderland. We need to assess him today it is difficult to give you a real level of how he is. We hope it’s not a big issue, but it looks similar. It’s sure it will be difficult for him to play against Southampton but we need to see what happens in the next few days. Every time something like this happens and before the scan, he immobilises with a [protective] boot.”
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic banned for the next two Gameweeks and Sergio Aguero mustering two goals in his last ten league fixtures ahead of three tough Gameweeks against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, our premium options up top are already limited. A potential stint on the sidelines for Kane may well see many now look to utilise a 3-5-2 set-up and spend big on re-acquiring Alexis Sanchez in a five-man midfield.
Philippe Coutinho
Subbed off before the hour-mark, the little Brazilian’s toils continued against the Clarets.
Despite being devoid of Roberto Firmino, Jurgen Klopp still chose to replace Coutinho after an ineffectual display saw him fail to produce a single shot on goal or create any scoring chances.
Frustratingly, the former Inter man boasted some strong underlying numbers ahead of this one – firing more goal attempts (20) than any player in the previous four Gameweeks, he was drafted in by 103,000 FPL managers last week.
Those new owners may already be reassessing that decision, with today’s blank taking Coutinho’s run to one goal in his last ten league appearances.
