There’s no shortage of topics to discuss in our Monday lunchtime assessment of the previous Gameweek. Harry Kane’s rise to Fantasy must-have, the Gunners midfield tinkering, Sadio Mane’s predatory instincts and Jermain Defoe’s impact for the Black Cats are all on today’s menu.
It’s Kane and ten others…
In any given season, few, if any, players are deemed essential by Fantasy managers. Tottenham’s young forward is proving there’s an exception to every case, though, after his derby double against the Gunners took his tally to ten goals in the last nine Gameweeks. At a price of 6.1, the real surprise is that Kane is only owned by 42% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, bearing in mind that earlier in the season, the premium priced Diego Costa sat in over 60% of teams. Kane has transformed himself from budget enabler to leading light in our three-man frontlines and has now found the net at a quicker pace than either Costa or Sergio Aguero this season – judging by his displays so far, he can expect a hefty price hike across the Fantasy games next summer.
Wenger’s midfield rotation will frustrate us..
Despite scoring in each of his previous two, Theo Walcott was nudged onto the bench as fit-again Danny Welbeck earned a start on the right for the North London derby. With Alexis Sanchez sidelined, Mesut Ozil netted for the third match in succession but was handed the full 90 minutes as Wenger subbed off Santi Cazorla just after the hour mark. Given that Sanchez has been passed fit for tomorrow’s clash with Leicester, we can surely expect him to return to the XI and with a number of in-form options at his disposal, Wenger’s team sheets are becoming increasingly tricky to navigate for Fantasy managers.
Lambert’s prepared to gamble…
A six-match goalless streak finally came to an end on Saturday as Villa breached the Chelsea backline in a 2-1 home loss. Paul Lambert’s decision to bench the misfiring Christian Benteke proved pivotal as Gabby Agbonlahor was handed the lone striker role, allowing Andreas Weimann and Carles Gil to take up the wide roles. Benteke had played every minute of the previous nine Gameweeks and despite scoring a single goal over that period, was joint-top for attempts inside the box, highlighting the fact that his team-mates were creating chances aplenty for the big Belgian. With the finger of blame for Villa’s lack of output clearly pointed at Benteke, Lambert now needs to decide whether he can do without his services for some tasty upcoming matches (hul, STO, new, WBA, sun, SWA) over the next six.
Mane’s the real deal…
Back in the Southampton first XI for the trip to QPR, the Senegal international strengthened his claim in the mid-price bracket by bagging the late winner. Eased back into domestic duties after his exploits in the African Cup of Nations, Mane is fast-becoming a talisman for Ronald Koeman team – he’s now scored in each of his last four starts for the Saints, including strikes against Arsenal and Chelsea. At a time when Graziano Pelle has struck twice in 16 outings, Mane’s eye for goal looks vital to the Saints’ chances of clinching a top-four finish and with four home matches and a trip to West Brom in the next six, that 6.5 price tag is looking very generous.
Aguero needs Yaya back…
Yet again, the armband favourite failed to justify our collective show of faith and managed just an assist in the 1-1 draw with Hull. It’s four league matches without a goal now for Aguero as he and his team-mates continue to struggle in the absence of Yaya Toure. City have failed to win any of the six league matches without the Ivorian on board this season and given that he’s set to miss the midweek trip to Stoke, our expectations will again be diminished. Whilst our patience has been sorely tested, Toure is set to return in time for the Gameweek 26 home encounter against Newcastle and with Chelsea edging further ahead at the summit, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will need to play with the handbrake off from that point onwards if they are to have any chance of retaining their title.
Defoe can save the Black Cats…
The new boy’s opener at Swansea took his tally to two goals and an assist in a trio of appearances since arriving at Sunderland last month. Defoe’s instant impact is obvious – having played a part in three of his side’s four strikes over that period, his acquisition already looks an inspired piece of business by Gus Poyet. With three very favourable home clashes ( QPR, WBA, AVL) and a trip to Hull in the next five, Defoe’s 6.0 price tag is looking increasingly difficult to avoid as Poyet tasks him with firing the Wearsiders to safety.
Pulis’ defence is a work in progress..
After subbing off Andre Wisdom on 60 minutes last time out, Tony Pulis left him out altogether as Craig Dawson was handed the right-back berth away to Burnley. The third most popular defender in FPL, Wisdom looks set for an exodus if his new manager benches him for Wednesday’s home clash against Swansea, with Pulis looking unconvinced by his defence. Chris Baird and Chris Brunt both played 45 minutes at left-back at Turf Moor and bearing in mind Pulis has also fielded Joleon Lescott in this position, a lack of consistency is blighting their defensive prospects. The fixtures remain in their favour but, in terms of defenders, only Lescott and Gareth McAuley’s minutes have remained unaffected by their manager’s tinkering in his four league matches in charge.
Colback looks a valid fifth midfielder..
Newcastle’s summer signing is enjoying the most productive season of his career after his opener against Stoke took his tally to three goals and five assists. Encouragingly for John Carver, Colback has supplied all but one of those assists over the last nine Gameweeks as he continues to stake a claim as a cut-price option for our 15-man squads. Third amongst midfielders in terms of value, Colback has earned 81 points – that’s nine clear of budget favourite George Boyd and more than any midfielder priced at 5.0 or under.
Ings has the form to trump the fixtures…
The Burnley striker’s goal and assist at home to West Brom placed question marks over the “Pulis effect” as Sean Dyche’s improving side blew the chance to earn all three points. Encouragingly for the Clarets, they have now scored at least twice in all but one of the last six – including a visit to City – with Ings proving key to their attacking form, by netting in four of his previous five appearances. Unfortunately for the Lancashire club, they now face eight of the top nine in the next eight Gameweeks and whilst their survival prospects look bleak in light of such a schedule, Ings’ form suggests he may yet prevail.
United are a no-go area..
Louis van Gaal’s side may be sitting in fourth spot and have tasted defeat in just one of the last 14 Gameweeks but from a Fantasy perspective, they look devoid of legitimate targets. The 1-1 draw at West Ham came courtesy of a late Daley Blind leveller, as Angel di Maria (three assists in ten appearances), Wayne Rooney (no goals or assists in his last six) and Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, with two goals apiece in their last six league outings, toil under the Dutchman’s guidance. With just two clean sheets in the last eight Gameweeks, the Red Devils’ defence has failed to reward us with some viable prospects and although they have some tempting fixtures on the horizon (BUR, swa, SUN, new), investing in their main men looks the bravest of moves.
