With games against Blackburn at home and Bolton away, Tottenham have two of the best fixtures of the eight double Gameweek sides. A few weeks back, Fantasy managers would have been desperate to shoehorn three Spurs players into their squads but form has proved a cruel mistress in recent weeks. Surely, you’d think, this double Gameweek affords Harry Redknapp’s side a chance to turn around their dwindling fortunes?
The Prospects
Two wins in the last ten games tells a terrible story for the North London outfit. During this appalling run they have been beaten five times, including defeats at QPR and at home to Norwich, as well as conceding 14 goals. Similar to QPR, both Blackburn and Bolton are also fighting relegation, indicating Spurs may be in for a scrap, but a look at both sides’ defensive displays offers plenty optimism for Redknapp’s troops as they look to get their Champions League bid back on track.
Blackburn have kept just three clean sheets this campaign and shipped 73 goals – 41 of those have come on the road, the worst away record of any side in the league. Steve Kean’s side have recorded a single clean sheet away all season and have shipped two or more goals in four of the last five on their travels, strongly suggesting that goals could be on the agenda for the home side next Sunday at the Lane. In terms of goals scored, Rovers have failed to notch in three of their last five on the road, scoring just three times – two of those came at Molineux against relegated Wolves. Fantasy owners have every reason to be hopeful of a home clean sheet here.
Bolton have been similarly poor for defensive returns – Owen Coyle’s have also kept just three clean sheets this season, with a total of 66 goals conceded. The Trotters have returned a single clean sheet since Gameweek 11 and have shipped two or more goals in seven of the last ten Gameweeks. Having found the net in three of their last four at the Reebok, however, defensive returns for the visitors may not be quite so straightforward next Wednesday.
The Likely Lads
Reports earlier this week of a dressing room bust up between on-loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp have yet to be confirmed by either camp, given the gossip little foundation at present. More concrete was today’s news that the Togo international is expected to overcome the hamstring problem that forced him out of last weekend’s trip to QPR. Should Adebayor – who is the fourth best striker in terms of total points in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) – take to the pitch, he has the potential for a huge haul. Already he has 13 goals, 12 assists, 24 bonus points and five double digit weekly points totals to his name. If, however, Adebayor fails to make it for this Gameweek, given that Louis Saha is also a doubt with a groin problem, Jermaine Defoe may find himself as the only forward available to Redknapp.
The stock of Spurs’ forward thinking midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart would also rise considerably if Adebayor is out of the picture, as he is certain to be handed spot kick duties. Among the Spurs midfield, Van Der Vaart has also shown the most promise in recent weeks, giving the 9.5m priced Dutchman strong potential to add to his nine goals, five assists, 23 bonus points and six double digit points hauls.
With 36.9% ownership, there are plenty of managers hoping Gareth Bale can replicate his form of earlier in the season – only Wayne Rooney has more owners than the 9.2 priced Welshman. With 176 points, he has the second best points tally for a midfielder in the FPL game, having returned 10 goals, 11 assists and 21 bonus points. Despite some eye catching runs from midfield into opponents’ penalty boxes in recent matches, his form is nothing short of terrible, averaging just three points a game in the last 10 Gameweeks. Aaron Lennon also has the potential to produce in the midfield but, with game time far from guaranteed, it’d be more than just a punt to consider snapping him up.
Patched up is a fair description of the Spurs defence. Ledley King is unlikely to play twice during Gameweek 36 due to his ongoing knee problem, Michael Dawson is out for the season, though Younes Kaboul could be set to return from a knee problem, despite being ruled out by Redknapp earlier in the week. It leaves William Gallas as the only centre-half likely to feature twice – the former Arsenal man has started three of the last four and, at just 4.6, offers a cut-price route into the back-four. His prospects would certainly be boosted if Kaboul does, indeed, overcome his knee injury.
With Benoit Assou-Ekotto a major doubt due to a shoulder problem, we’re overlooking the left-back’s obvious potential. Instead, we’re looking at Kyle Walker. The 6.1 priced right-back has returned 121 points so far, providing with one goal, one assist and five bonus points to date. Brad Friedel also offers potential – the 5.7 priced veteran has returned 134 points and accrued 110 saves this term and has played every minute of his side’s campaign.
Cheeky Punts
So often the man who assists the assist, Luka Modric tends to miss out on the points hauls his team mates have enjoyed during the season. Nevertheless his three goals, six assists and 11 bonus points cannot be dismissed. Priced at 7.9, he has started all but two games and has achieved double digit gameweeks on two occasions.
