Sergio Aguero supplies a pair of assists, whilst Yaya Toure scores for the second match in succession as City sweep aside Southampton at St Mary’s. Christian Eriksen and Kevin Mirallas also maintain their fine form by bagging a goal apiece as Spurs edge past Everton at the Lane.
Saints Exodus on the Cards
Unbeaten since Gameweek 7 and having previously conceded just once at home this season, Southampton were unable to live up to expectations against champions City yesterday. Worryingly for Ronald Koeman, the Saints have now played three of last season’s top eight and lost each of those encounters and one look at their schedule suggests the Saints are set for a tough festive period – over the next eight Gameweeks, they face both Arsenal and Man United twice and also have clashes against Chelsea and Everton.
Fantasy faith in the Saints’ assets is beginning to wane after they failed yesterday’s test miserably. Unable to find a way past a side that finished the match with nine men, their display certainly suggests that sales of their assets will speed up right across the park, with many set to overlook Koeman’s side until the winter wildcard kicks in. Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand are amongst the fourth most popular defenders, whilst Graziano Pelle is third for front men, behind only Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero, but their ownership levels look likely to dwindle. Pelle, in particular, is set for a significant decline in ownership. Having failed to score in his last five outings, he faces a real struggle to justify a place in our three-man frontlines – with the likes of Wilfried Bony, Charlie Austin and Danny Ings all firing right now, he’s likely to be the first to face the boot for most.
CITY HITTING TOP GEAR
After a somewhat patchy spell of form over November, City’s 3-0 victory at St Mary’s was a real statement of intent. A trip to the Saints’ stronghold was seen as a big test for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but their confidence was clearly blossoming after their dramatic win over Bayern Munich in midweek, and they passed the challenge with flying colours. Yaya Toure is finally starting to come good after scoring for the second consecutive Gameweek, and presents himself as an immediate option for owners of the stricken Angel Di Maria; the Ivorian has registered the most attempts on goal of any midfielder this season, and is beginning to look the player who soared to popularity with a total of 20 strikes in the last campaign.
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero’s absence from the scoresheet meant that the forward failed to net in successive matches for the first time this season. In a week where both Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez drew blanks, the Argentine was still on hand to provide a pair of assists, however, as he returned to the top of the FPL standings ahead of a midweek trip to Sunderland.
Defensive Worries for Pellegrini
However, things aren’t so glossy for City in defence, with Eliaquim Mangala now suspended for the trip to Sunderland on Wednesday after being given his marching orders against the Saints, and captain Vincent Kompany a midweek doubt after sustaining a hamstring problem late on yesterday. Martin Demichelis is likely to come into the starting XI for the Black Cats clash, whilst Bacary Sagna could possibly be required to fill at centre-half should Kompany miss out.
Eriksen and Kane in the Points Again
Christian Eriksen climbed above Nacer Chadli as Spurs’ top FPL scorer after netting in yesterday’s 2-1 win over Everton. The Dane is up to fifth spot for midfielders – just two points behind Eden Hazard – after scoring four times in his last seven league appearances and, with the fit-again Chadli benched for yesterday’s win, Eriksen looks the main target in Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield. Granted, whilst a trip to Chelsea on Wednesday should deter major investment for now, he then faces Crystal Palace, Swansea, Burnley and Leicester in his subsequent four, suggesting points are likely to be on the cards over Christmas.
Harry Kane continues to tick over in the budget bracket. The 4.9-valued forward provided the assist for Eriksen’s strike and has now produced returns in three of his last four – Kane remains firmly under the radar with 2% ownership but, once the midweek trip to Chelsea has passed, he has the form and fixtures to prevail.
Mirallas on the Radar
Kevin Mirallas’ opener means that the Belgian has now notched in back-to-back matches in all competitions, and is looking just as appealing as Eriksen in the mid-price midfield bracket right now. What’s more, the 7.2-priced winger was subbed off on the hour mark, suggesting that Roberto Martinez was keen to protect him ahead of the home encounter against Hull in midweek. Meanwhile, Leighton Baines returned from injury in the defeat, and the left-back could now come back to haunt the 53,000 who sold him on after his absence in Gameweek 11 – the Toffees have home clashes with Hull, QPR and Stoke in their next five, with plenty of potential for both defensive and attacking points on the cards for the 23%-owned left-back
