Luis Suarez helps himself to a brace to sweep aside QPR at Loftus Road, whilst Frank Lampard’s brace provides a reminder of his qualities as Chelsea grab the points at Goodison. Here’s the Stock Check from Sunday’s conclusion to Gameweek 20…
On the Up
Luis Suarez
Oozing class, Suarez tormented the QPR back four, bewildering them with off the ball running, close control and dribbling. He also took his chances with aplomb, boosting his goal tally to 13 for the season, just one behind Robin Van Persie. The Uruguayan went into the Christmas period without a goal in four league starts but, having notched late on in the demolition of Fulham, Suarez filled his boots against the hapless R’s back four. He has suffered a price drop to 10.2 in the Fantasy Premier League but we’re likely to see investment boosted again, with home encounters with Sunderland and Norwich now beckoning.
Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool skipper goes on earning profit: today’s assist for Dan Agger’s header was his eighth of the campaign and means that Gerrard has now returned in six of his last seven league matches, with three goals and four assists in that spell. At 9.4 in the FPL and with just 5% ownership, Gerrard maybe second choice to Suarez in the Liverpool lineup but he’s become a viable option.
Steven Pienaar
With Maroune Fellaini absent, Pienaar has stepped up with two goals and an assist to fill the void. On the losing side today, Piennar nonetheless caught the eye but will inevitably fade into the background somewhat now that Fellaini is clear of his ban and back in contention for the trip to Newcastle.
Juan Mata
Ever the consistent playmaker, Mata again delivered for his owners with the assist for Lampard’s winner. Incredibly, Mata has now returned either a goal or assist in eleven of his last twelve Premier League starts – his only blank being the 0-0 draw with Man City. That kind of consistency will surely tempt investment with Gareth Bale sitting out Gameweek 21 through suspension. It’s QPR at home next, with the only real concern being Mata’s pitch time.
Frank Lampard
The Chelsea stalwart has started two of the last four league games and scored three goals. With his future at the club in doubt and his start far from secure, the former Fantasy favourite will inevitably play a cameo role and is unlikely to rival Juan Mata for our attention. Even so, if he can cement a run of starts, its clear he still has plenty to offer.
David Luiz
There was no clean sheet and Luiz picked up his sixth booking of the season, however, the Brazilian was again deployed in central midfield with Rafa Benitez opting to bench Mikel. With the Nigerian off to the African Cup of Nations in January, Luiz would seem more assured of retaining his midfield role, giving him every chance of adding some attacking returns to his clean sheet count.
Going Down
Leighton Baines
The Everton left-back suffered a 20,000 transfer deficit going into this weekend and, having been denied an assist by the woodwork, he’s likely to continue to decline as the Toffees again failed to keep a shutout. David Moyes’ side have now conceded in 15 consecutive league matches.
Petr Cech
Replaced at half-time, Rafa Benitez confirmed that Cech will have scans on “a strained adductor muscle at the top of his leg” in the next 24-hours. Cech looks a doubt for profitable home clash with QPR, then, which many would back as a clean sheet opportunity for Chelsea. Ross Turnbull replaced Cech at Goodison and will present a viable short-term option for Gameweek 21 at just 4.3 in the FPL.
Jose Enrique
The Spaniard pocketed the clean sheet but twanged a hamstring midway through the second half and will now surely be a doubt for the Anfield clash with Sunderland on Wednesday.
The QPR Defence
We’d had anticipated a turnaround, or at least signs that the R’s had tightened up as a result of Harry Redknapp’s arrival. On today’s evidence, however, QPR are a world away from having a back four that can provide the foundation for survival. They have now conceded in their last six outings and with Chelsea, Tottenham and City to come in the next four, even in the budget bracket, their defenders appear to offer little temptation at present.
