The sight of Sergio Aguero taking to the pitch inspires thousands of Fantasy managers into action but is not enough to earn City three points at Everton. Chelsea take advantage as the consistent Diego Costa notches again. Andy Carroll’s curse over Swansea continues, while Danny Ings, Charlie Austin and Harry Kane keep the budget strikers union smiling. Here’s the notes from Saturday’s events…
Markovic the Difference as Pool Tame Black Cats
Brendan Rodgers opted for a 3-2-3-1 set-up for his side’s clash with Sunderland, with Lazar Markovic shifted into the attacking midfield three alongside Steven Gerrard and Phillipe Coutinho. The 7.2-valued midfielder notched the only goal at the Stadium of Light and was unlucky not to add a second – his volley striking the woodwork later on in the first half – in an outstanding all-round display. With Lallana set to remain sidelined until early February, Markovic should have cemented a starting role for the next couple of fixtures (avl, WHM), and with an ownership of merely 0.2%, he offers an intriguing differential asset for those looking to spice up their Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Wildcard squads.
Elsewhere for the Reds, Raheem Sterling disappointed his 31.4% ownership after being handed an extended rest by Rodgers; the Liverpool boss’ post-match comments suggested that we are likely to see Sterling refreshed and back for the visit to Villa. Gerrard, meanwhile, was withdrawn at half-time with a hamstring complaint, though Rodgers was insistent that it was precautionary move and his captain will undergo scans in the next few days.
Prolific Costa Outshines Hazard
Just as Fantasy managers were beginning to lose faith in Diego Costa, the Spaniard has delivered a strong level of consistency in recent weeks; four goals in his last six league outings is twice the total he managed across the previous eight Gameweeks. Costa bagged his fifteenth goal of the season against Newcastle and, as we explore ways to fit Sergio Aguero into our squads, sacrificing Costa has become a more difficult decision by the Gameweek. One glaring issue remains, however; Costa missed out on bonus once again and has now scored a single goal on seven occasions without receiving bonus points. This suggests that he’ll continue to struggle to keep pace with Aguero, and maybe even Charlie Austin, at the top of the FPL forward rankings. Elsewhere, Eden Hazard held the hopes of many FPL managers after topping our Captain Poll this week, but the Belgian failed to deliver returns at home for the first time in six Stamford Bridge fixtures.
Azpilicueta Frustrates Again
Cesar Azpilicueta’s owners have suffered of late; after seeing their defender rotated to the bench in recent Gameweeks, they now face the uncertainty of injury after the full-back was subbed off after 37 minutes with a groin problem. The Blues’ first-team coach Steve Holland did, however, confirm post-match that his injury is not suspected to be a major concern. The Spaniard wasn’t the only member of Chelsea’s rearguard to disappoint yesterday – Gary Cahill was surprisingly left on the bench in favour of 20-year-old Kurt Zouma for the Magpies meeting, whilst Thibaut Courtois also missed out as he remained troubled by a finger injury. Despite the reshuffle, however, the Blues collected another clean sheet, taking their tally to four in their last six; Branislav Ivanovic justified his place at the top of our Defenders Watchlist with a second consecutive assist in an 11-point haul – his first double figure return since the opening two Gameweeks. Ivanovic, along with John Terry, appear to have seen off the claims of Azpilicueta as the Chelsea defenders of choice in time for our Wildcard selection, despite heftier price tags.
Ings Clinches Clarets Points
Danny Ings struck the winner and earned maximum bonus points to help Burnley overcome relegation rivals QPR 2-1. That was the 5.6-valued striker’s sixth goal of the season: he has now fetched either a goal or assist in seven of his last ten for the Clarets. Ins’ performance ensures he remains a viable budget option for our squads alongside the likes of Harry Kane and Charlie Austin, although the Clarets striker offers a significantly smaller ownership (2.6% to 31.4% and 28.4%). Burnley have notched seven times in their last three league outings, putting their early-season scoring blues behind them. Indeed, the R’s win represents the first time that Sean Dyche’s side have scored more than once at Turf Moor. With Crystal Palace, Sunderland and West Brom up next, Burnley and Ings promise to maintain their run of form.
Austin Powers On
Having blanked in his last three home matches in all competitions, Charlie Austin’s potential output was becoming a mild concern. However, having won and converted a spot-kick against Burnley for his thirteenth goal of the season, Austin has now climbed to the top of the FPL forward rankings. The QPR striker has scored penalties in his last two away trips to supplement his strong returns at Loftus Road. Despite this, the fixtures deliver both United and Southampton to West London next, while Austin will seek to maintain his form with trips to Stoke, Sunderland and Hull. That testing schedule has been enough to convince many to ship him out: Austin has suffered more sales than any other player overnight.
Elsewhere for the Hoops, Adel Taarabt was handed a rare start by Harry Redknapp and lasted the full 90 minutes – Bobby Zamora was amongst the substitutes but troubled by an ongoing back injury. Taarabt’s influence could do nothing to stop the R’s losing their tenth consecutive away game of the season: a Premier League record.
Carroll Finds the Swans’ Net Again
A brace against Garry Monk’s side back in Gameweek 15 brought Andy Carroll on to our radars for the first time this season, and the towering Hammers man proved to be the Swans’ nemesis once again by firing a superb opener at the Liberty. Carroll has remarkable record of four goals and three assists in six league matches against Swansea, though he may struggle to replicate that form against his upcoming opponents; the Hammers travel to Liverpool, Southampton and Spurs and welcome Man United to Upton Park in their next five. Stewart Downing is another Hammers asset who could fade as a result of that schedule, though the 6.5-priced midfielder was once again in the points at Swansea with his seventh assist of the campaign. With returns in five of his last eight league displays, few will be in a hurry to get rid of the former Liverpool man, even in light of those fixtures. Downing also moved to 21 FPL bonus points with Saturday’s haul – no player has more bonus returns this season.
Berahino the Hero as Baggies Hold Firm
Building on his four FA Cup goals in the Midlanders’ win over Gateshead, Saido Berahino notched his first league goal under new Baggies boss Tony Pulis in the 1-0 victory over Hull. Pulis paired Berahino with £10 million summer signing Brown Ideye in a front two, with Victor Anichebe introduced for the latter in the second half to suggest that the former Palace manager is more intent on attack than many of us expected. Nevertheless, the clean sheet we were predicting duly arrived, although injuries to the Tigers’ strike duo Abel Hernandez and Nickica Jelavic certainly aided the Baggies’ cause. It was also notable that Pulis kept Chris Baird at left-back for his fourth consecutive start in all competitions, with Sebastian Pocognoli benched. Baird is available as a 3.9 option in defence, so this situation requires monitoring. Pulis also preferred Claudio Yacob to Craig Gardner in the middle of the park, with Youssuf Mulumbu absent at the African Cup of Nations.
Villa’s Misery Compounded by Konchesky
Paul Konchesky was the unlikely hero and match-winner for Leicester as the Foxes earned a hard-fought win over midland rivals Villa. Nigel Pearson’s side have now recorded two clean sheets in their last three league displays, though with trips to Arsenal, Man United and Everton now imminent, few are likely to eye up their backline as genuine budget options. Marc Albrighton’s performance on the flank offered encouragement to Pearson and Fantasy managers alike. The 4.2 midfield option sparkled against his former team-mates, as he looked to stake a claim for regular starts with Jefferey Schlupp injured and Riyad Mahrez away with Algeria at the African Cup of Nations.
Elsewhere, Villa’s attack continues to disappoint. Paul Lambert’s outfit have now scored just one goal in their previous six league fixtures; not even Christian Benteke’s return back in Gameweek 14 has managed to revive fortunes in front of goal and a continued relegation battle looks assured should that continue. It’s Liverpool next at Villa Park.
Aguero Preserved In City Stumble
Sergio Aguero was handed a 30-minute run-out by Manuel Pellegrini at Goodison Park, and though he failed to find the breakthrough for the Citizens, the Argentine will now surely be in line to start against Arsenal in Gameweek 23. Pellegrini’s side have dropped points in two of their last three league encounters and will be looking to Aguero and perhaps the incoming Wilfried Bony, to make the difference from here on in. The Argentine’s cameo was enough to convince many to snap up his services – Aguero was transferred in by over 20,000 FPL managers overnight, raising his price back to 12.4.
David Silva provided the assist for City’s goal from Fernando and, having now returned four goals and two assists in his last five in the league, the little Spaniard may be doing enough to retain him in our Wildcard thinking. Certainly, Silva’s combination with Aguero will be of particular importance to the Blues considering their recent displays at the other end of the pitch; Pellegrini’s outfit are without a clean sheet in their last four, with defensive favourite Pablo Zabaleta picking up just two points over that period. With Arsenal and Chelsea up next, City’s prospects at the back may not improve.
Baines Provides As Toffees Rally
Leighton Baines’ dead-ball delivery opened up City and earned the left-back his second assist in the last three rounds of fixtures in what appears to be something of a mini-renaissance. The England international is joint top for defenders in terms of chances created in the last couple of Gameweeks. Baines is beginning to show signs that he could still live up to his lofty 7.1 price-tag this campaign after a horrendous run of seven consecutive blanks between Gameweeks 12-18 threatened to derail his Fantasy season. The Toffees remain without a shut-out in their last eleven, but Baines is back on target to beat his best ever assist total of 11 in 2010/11; he could yet be a feature of our Wildcard selection with Everton’s fixtures improving over the run-in.
Kane And Chadli Combine Again
Acquired by over 500,000 prior to yesterday’s deadline, Harry Kane duly delivered the goods against Palace by firing his sixth goal in as many matches. Whilst his performance may not have been on a par with his 18-point showing against Chelsea last time out, continued investment has seen his FPL value rise again overnight to 5.8. Nacer Chadli was once again on hand to provide the assist for Kane’s strike; the Belgian has now notched assists in his last five to seize the mantle from Christian Eriksen as Kane’s partner in destroying opposition defences. The 8.2-rated Eriksen now has just a single goal in his last five league outings and, despite having shown such consistency previously with a run of four goals and two assists in seven league matches prior to this barren run, his remaining 17% ownership are likely to be eyeing up a straight switch to Chadli.
Puncheon Delivers Decisive Blow
Recalled to the starting line-up having been benched in the FA Cup, Jason Puncheon delivered the winning goal and maximum bonus points against Spurs in a performance that suggested that the winger could yet come to the fore as a Fantasy asset. Alan Pardew went on the attack in his first league outing in charge, scrapping the 4-4-1-1 set-up utilised by his predecessor and opting for two up front and a shoot on sight policy. The impact was obvious: the Eagles fired in seven shots on target – as many as in their previous two league outings combined. Indeed, no other side had more goal attempts in the Gameweek than Pardew’s charges. Dwight Gayle was handed his first start since Gameweek 14 and converted his third goal of the campaign with a coolly-taken second-half spot-kick, though with so many thriving budget options on offer up top at the moment, it’s the 5.5-priced Puncheon who is more likely to draw our attention from here on.
