We continue our analysis of the upcoming double Gameweek 36 by turning our attentions to David Moyes’ Everton. The Toffees performance in Sunday’s 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford extended their unbeaten run to five and, with many Fantasy managers eying up their Fantasy assets ahead of the weekend’s deadline, we run the rule over their potential.
The Prospects
First up for Everton is a home clash with Fulham next Saturday. A look at their recent displays at Goodison Park highlights just how resilient the Toffees have been in front of their own fans. Moyes’ side have five clean sheets in the last six home games, with just a single goal conceded to Arsenal in a run that has seen them keep out the likes of City, Chelsea and Tottenham. The fact that Fulham have netted a mere 11 times away all season – joint-bottom for away goals alongside Stoke – merely adds to the argument that a home clean sheet looks a strong possibility.
From an attacking perspective, the omens look good, too. With the likes of Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar now firmly settled in the Everton first XI, they have clicked as an attacking unit, scoring 14 goals in their last five fixtures – they had previously notched 28 times in their first 29 Gameweeks.
After that, Moyes takes his team to the Britannia the following Tuesday. Given that they’ve just put four past United, Everton will hold no fear for the showdown with Tony Pulis’ Stoke and a look at the stats offers further encouragement. The Potters have scored a mere five goals and failed to keep a clean sheet in the last seven Gameweeks, suggesting there’s potential for profit at both ends of the pitch for Moyes’ side.
The Likely Lads
Normally, Leighton Baines would be the first name we’d turn to but it seems highly unlikely he will feature, according to his manager. Moyes admitted in last Friday’s press conference that the left-back will be out for two weeks and, with that in mind, we have to omit him from our thoughts.
Instead, it’s Nikica Jelavic who is the hot property at Goodison right now. The Croatian’s goalscoring exploits have clearly caught the eye – he’s the most transferred in player so far this Gameweek, with over 37,000 Fantasy managers snapping up his services. With six goals in just six starts, his acquisition has added another dimension to Moyes’ side and, with a price of 5.9 and ownership of 3%, his potential as a cut-price differential looks strong. Jelavic is likely to be handed spot-kick duties in Baines’ absence and has also been afforded his share of free-kicks, furthering his outstanding appeal.
Steven Pienaar’s creativity has also played a significant part in Everton’s surge up the table. The on-loan midfielder has slipped seamlessly back into the Toffees first-team and approaches the double Gameweek in eye-catching form; two goals, three assists and three bonus points in his last four appearances has helped him average over eight points per game. Priced at 7.0, though, Pienaar offers strong mid-price potential and – aside from the match against parent club Tottenham – has started every game since returning to Merseyside. Fantasy managers will be worried over last night’s news that a warrant has been issued for his arrest due to a driving offence, though the South African is still expected to be immediately available to Moyes.
Leon Osman is another of Moyes’ midfield certainties. While the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool are likely to rest and rotate, Everton seem more inclined to field a settled XI and Osman seems to have crept under the radar so far. Only 2,000 Fantasy managers have transferred him in, though he’s another man in form, with a goal, a couple of assists and two bonus points in his last three. At 6.6, he’s slightly less on the budget than Pienaar and has already returned three double figure Goodison hauls this term.
At the back, Phil Jagielka has produced the most impressive attacking returns of the defenders available to Moyes. The centre-half has grabbed two goals and two assists this term – Sylvain Distin and Johnny Heitinga have returned a single assist between them in comparison. Priced at 5.3, Jagielka looks the best value of the trio, while 4.6 Tony Hibbert served a reminder of his budget potential with a pair of assists at Old Trafford.
Cheeky Punt
The performance of Marouane Fellaini in Sunday’s draw at United highlighted the Belgian’s flourishing form. With Phil Neville and Darron Gibson sitting deep in central midfield, Fellaini seems to be afforded the freedom that made Tim Cahill such a dangerous Fantasy asset in seasons gone by, as he drifts forward to support Jelavic in the lone striker role. While he’s perhaps unlikely to replicate his 10 point return at Old Trafford, Fellaini’s guaranteed game time and price of 6.1 could prove dividend for those willing to have a flutter.
