We close the door on the third international break of the season and brace ourselves as the schedule gets ready to pick up pace. Between now and New Year’s Day, we have nine Gameweeks to plan for, with the festive period offering Fantasy managers little respite – this weekend, Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea supply us with a couple of players apiece, while we keep faith in the relentless consistency of a trio of big-hitters up top:
Tim Krul gets the nod for Newcastle’s home game against Norwich. Whilst there are cheaper options in the Magpies backline, the uncertainty caused by Mathieu Debuchy’s suspension and the return to fitness of Steven Taylor makes the Dutchman a stress-free option – he’ll be confident of a third successive clean sheet against a Canaries side that have notched just twice on the road all season.
A trip to goal-shy West Ham offers John Terry the chance of a first clean sheet in seven attempts. Sam Allardyce’s side have scored just three times in the last four at Upton Park and with plenty of worries at the back for the hosts, Terry’s aerial threat from set-pieces and corners could come to fruition as he looks to add to a goal and assist so far.
Per Mertesacker is another centre-half who offers the chance of points at both ends of the pitch this weekend as Arsenal play host to Southampton. Having recovered from the flu virus that forced him out of the previous Gameweek’s trip to United, the German has registered a clean sheet in each of his last two league appearances and further defensive returns could be on the cards against a Saints side with four away goals in five. A midweek winner against England served a timely reminder of his threat in the opposition box.
The visit of basement-dwellers Palace affords Curtis Davies the chance to earn a fifth clean sheet in six at the KC Stadium. Similar to Norwich, the Eagles have scored two goals away from home so far and Davies’ threat inside the area allied with a propensity for picking up bonus, could come to the fore once again.
We draft in Yohan Cabaye ahead of Newcastle’s home showdown with Norwich. The Magpies midfielder has been particularly reliable in front of his own fans and has scored or assisted in each of the last three at St James’ Park – his contribution in the centre of the park looks crucial to his side’s chances of a third straight win.
While his away displays have been disappointing, Mesut Ozil’s home form bodes well ahead of Arsenal’s Emirates clash with Southampton. The German has mustered just a single assist in five on the road but in front of his own fans, he’s delivered 35 FPL points in just three appearances – enough to earn him a place in this week’s Picks, while we assess Theo Walcott’s game time upon returning from injury.
With four goals and an assist in his last five appearances, Eden Hazard is starting to rediscover the form of 2012/13. The Belgian rolls up to West Ham tomorrow evening with Sam Allardyce’s side troubled by a number of injury concerns at the back, suggesting Hazard could be set for another profitable day as the Blues look for only their second win on the road this term.
Stephane Sessegnon’s recent upturn in form helps the Baggies midfielder win a place for the midlands derby with Villa. The Benin international has grabbed a goal and assist over the last couple of Gameweeks and is starting to find his form in “the hole” behind a lone striker in Steve Clarke’s 4-2-3-1 – having notched at the Bridge last time around, Sessegnon looks the man most likely to make a difference at the Hawthorns on Monday evening.
We cannot ignore the form of Luis Suarez ahead of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby. A trip to Everton is by no means an easy task but, judging by his current displays, the Uruguayan is more than capable of breaching a backline that has chalked up three successive clean sheets – Suarez heads this week’s Captain Poll as he rolls up to Goodison in search of a fifth set of double figures in seven appearances.
A trip to Cardiff hands Wayne Rooney the chance to continue his impressive season. The Bluebirds have managed just two clean sheets in the last eight Gameweeks and look set for a tough time as David Moyes’ side search for a fifth straight win – with a goal or assist in eight of his 10 appearances this term, Rooney has developed a real consistency under his former Everton manager.
Like Suarez, Sergio Aguero has a tough task awaiting him this weekend. The City forward plays host to Tottenham – a side that have conceded a single goal in five away games this season but with five goals, five assists, nine bonus points and three sets of double figures (12, 13, 18) in five Etihad appearances, the Argentine’s phenomenal home record ensures he keeps his place in this week’s Picks.
West Brom’s Gareth McAuley gets the nod for Monday’s Hawthorns derby with Villa. The Baggies centre-half has already scored twice this term and racked up a 15-point haul in his previous appearance in front of the home faithful – given that Villa have scored in just one of their last five, McAuley could be poised to pick up the points once again.
We were poised to pick Robbie Brady but Steve Bruce wasn’t 100% certain over his start in yesterday’s press conference. Instead, Fulham’s Pajtim Kasami gets the nod – at 4.5, he’s started 10 of the first 11 Gameweeks and, in addition to notching twice in the league, grabbed a goal for Switzerland over the international break – a home game with Swansea offers him the chance to extend his impressive form.
With seven goals in his last seven appearances, Loic Remy is more than a little unlucky to be forced onto the bench. Given that visitors Norwich have conceded 11 goals in their last two road trips, confidence in the Newcastle frontman is clearly sky-high – he’s already been drafted in by over 135,000 FPL managers ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
