As always, there’s plenty for Fantasy managers to ponder as we head towards next Saturday morning’s deadline. Here are the scenarios and line-ups we’re keeping an eye on this time around:
Where now for Januzaj?
David Moyes saw both Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie return in the win over Cardiff on Tuesday, the latter re-announcing himself with a goal. With the sublime talents of Juan Mata added to the mix, suddenly United’s attacking options are overflowing just weeks after they were restricted to the talents of 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj for inspiration. The young starlet sat out Tuesday’s win as Moyes elected to start with Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs and Ashley Young. While Young took his chance with a superb goal, it remains to be seen if that will be enough to see him hold his start at Stoke on Saturday. Januzaj could come back in on the left with Mata shifting to the right flank to accommodate Rooney and van Persie working in tandem. Alternatively, Moyes may be wary of re-introducing the precocious talents of Januzaj into the Britannia cauldron, protecting him for the potentially profitable home clash with Fulham in Gameweek 25. Either way, us Fantasy managers need more insight into Moyes’ thinking when it comes to Januzaj’s role from this point on.
Will Fabio make an appearance?
The Brazilian left-back has rarely sent the pulses racing but, at a time when the Cardiff back four is in flux, his appeal as a 4.1-priced asset cannot be overlooked. Cardiff have three home fixtures in four – vital matches that could provide the platform for a mid-table finish. Fabio will surely be expected to claim the left-back berth, although he has the attacking instincts to fill in further forward. His role is uncertain but, if he slots straight in against Norwich, he could be immediately rewarded with a clean sheet. With uncertainty surrounding both Ben Turner and Mark Hudson, there’s room for Fabio in our thinking as a budget option.
Does Gnabry have a place in the wounded Arsenal midfield?
With Aaron Ramsey stricken again, Jack Wilshere still troubled by an ankle problem and Mathieu Flamini banned, Arsene Wenger’s midfield options are somewhat limited. As we approach the Emirates clash with Crystal Palace, Fantasy managers will be keen to invest in Arsenal’s attacking options in anticipation of a handsome home win. Tony Pulis’ resolute rearguard will have other ideas but, even so, the appeal of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud is strong ahead of the weekend clash. Serge Gnabry offers a budget route for those unable to stretch to those names – given the midfield causalities, it could be that he can retain his starting berth for a fourth consecutive league match. He really needs to turn promise into goals and assists to have a chance of prolonging that run further, although Julian Draxler’s potential arrival would surely take him out of the picture.
Martinez and the Mirallas option
With Romelu Lukaku sidelined and Lacina Traore also ruled out for up to a fortnight, Roberto Martinez is set to face Villa at Goodison without a recognised striker. Both Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas will be expected to be on the teamsheet, with the latter the favourite to be given the opportunity to claim a central role. The Belgian looked the most likely in the 4-0 rout at Anfield and has settled into a support striker role of late. He has shown enough form to warrant our attention but, if he does get the chance to lead the line, and takes it, suddenly Mirallas’ appeal will sky rocket.
Carroll’s Goal Threat
West Ham’s rearguard action at Stamford Bridge caused a stir but, with Swansea at Upton Park this weekend, the emphasis has surely got to swing towards a more attacking approach and the quest for a precious three points. Andy Carroll has almost been billed as West Ham’s savior – the answer to their perpetual struggle for goals. This weekend is a fine opportunity for him to prove his worth and for Fantasy managers to assess if there could even be a mid-price differential on offer. Carroll looks fit and ready to wreak havoc but has yet to find the net since his return. Having started at the Bridge, he will surely have the Swansea defence in his sights – a back four that has previously struggled with a physical presence and is prone to crack under a set-piece threat. With Winston Reid possibly set to lend his weight at set-plays, Big Sam will surely be going all out to get the deadball delivery right and feed Carroll the opportunities he needs to start firing goals.
Pellegrini’s answer to the Aguero absence
All looked settled in the City attack. Aguero was set to push Luis Suarez all the way in the Golden Boot, with Alvaro Negredo a perfect foil and a prolific Etihad marksman. Now, a few weeks on, there is doubt on how Pellegrini will set up his attack. Edin Dzeko’s undoubted knack for scoring valuable goals has made him difficult to shift, curtailing Negredo’s pitch time and affording the City boss the option of resting the Spaniard. With Aguero seemingly set to miss Monday’s crunch clash with Chelsea, it remains to be seen how the Chilean will shuffle his available resources. Stevan Jovetic staked his claim with a bright display from the bench and killer third goal at the Lane on Tuesday and the noises suggest he will be given the opportunity to shine against Jose Mourinho’s charges. Does that mean a straight shoot-out between Dzeko and Negredo for the other shirt? If Dzeko is given the nod again, surely we have to start taking his mid-price appeal very seriously.
Is Benteke unplayable again?
Three goals in his last three starts but, more to the point, Benteke is looking the pure definition of “a handful”. His brute force presence up front for Villa is currently causing chaos and he could be lined up to skittle an Everton back four which is licking Liverpool-afflicted wounds and is again lacking the strength of Sylvain Distin to help deal with the Belgian’s pace and power. If he notches at Goodison, Benteke has to be back on our radars as an option to shake up the established options up front.
The Ben Arfa Option revisited
Dare we go there again? There’s no doubt that the Frenchman has the talent and attacking threat to emerge as a Fantasy option but inconsistency and a reluctance to fit in with Alan Pardew’s work ethic has restricted him to cameo roles for months. Robbed of Yohan Cabaye’s creativity, however, Pardew surely has to call on Ben Arfa’s spark and accept the fact that he’ll have to deal with frustrations and brilliance in equal measure. Ben Arfa started at Carrow Road and showed glimpses of what we can expect – Saturday’s Tyne-Wear derby looks to be the perfect stage for the Frenchman to audition as a mid-price differential for our midfields.
