We turn out attentions to the upcoming fixtures this Thursday lunchtime, with plenty for us to consider. Leicester’s budget options in light of the schedule, Chelsea’s response to their Champions League exit, Raheem Sterling’s role for the Reds, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s form for the run-in and Manuel Pellegrini’s front two are all on today’s menu.
Leicester’s main men…
A home clash with Hull kick-starts a run-in that has many Fantasy managers eyeing up the Foxes main assets. Nigel Pearson’s side have 11 matches remaining – one more than all but Chelsea – and with seven of those in front of their own fans, there’s reason for optimism. The Tigers roll up to the King Power having scored once in their last four road trips and their dire away form hands us the perfect opportunity to scout Nigel Pearson’s side for signs of Fantasy potential. Out-of-position Jeffrey Schlupp and fellow winger Riyad Mahrez have arrived on many Watchlists as budget options in defence and midfield respectively, whilst up front, Andrej Kramaric, at 5.5, has started as the lone forward in a 5-4-1 in each of the last four in all competitions and already netted twice – all three look key to the Foxes’ survival bid.
The Baggies home comforts..
Beaten by bitter rivals Villa in the league and FA Cup in their last two fixtures, Tony Pulis’ side now embark on a run of three home matches in four to steady the ship. West Brom have served up a trio of clean sheets in four at the Hawthorns since their new manager rolled up, with Saido Berahino scoring in all but one of those fixtures, and with options at both ends of the pitch, the midlands side have the perfect opportunity to bounce back from their recent disappointment as Pulis prepares for the visit of former club Stoke.
…and Sunderland’s…
Whilst the Baggies have an eight-point cushion over the bottom three, Gus Poyet’s side don’t have it quite so easy. The Black Cats sit just four points clear of the relegation places on the back of three draws and a pair of defeats in the last five Gameweeks but if they are to stave off the threat of relegation, now is the time to prove their mettle. A home encounter with Villa is the first of three Stadium of Light encounters in the next four (AVL, NEW, CPL), all against sides in the bottom half of the table. Whilst Costel Pantilimon can be relied upon to deliver save points regardless, Patrick van Aanholt and Jermain Defoe look key to the Wearsiders’ prospects and the Dutchman’s impact off the bench against Hull last time out underlined the fact that, if his side are to prevail, Poyet can ill-afford to do without his creativity.
Chelsea’s response to last night’s European exit…
With only the league on the line now, Jose Mourinho’s need to dust themselves down after their Stamford Bridge capitulation against PSG. Like Leicester, the Blues also have 11 fixtures left but, aside from Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic, it’s fair to say their big-hitters are struggling for form – Cesc Fabregas has two assists since the turn of the year, whilst Diego Costa has now gone eight hours and 28 minutes without a goal. The visit of Southampton is hardly straightforward but with our thoughts turning to double Gameweek 34, Mourinho’s regulars are likely to play a prominent part in our plans for the run-in.
Sterling’s role for the Reds..
Utilised as a wing-back in each of the last two in all competitions, the Liverpool youngster’s versatility is a curse as much as a blessing. In Daniel Sturridge’s absence, Sterling benefitted from a move to the lone forward role in Liverpool’s new 3-4-2-1 formation but with the striker now back in the first XI and Jordan Ibe injured, Sterling has been moved out of the centre altogether as Brendan Rodgers looks for a solution out wide. Sterling had scored or assisted in four of his previous five but failed to get amongst the points for the Reds’ 2-0 home win over Burnley – another role as a wing-back and many owners will be revising their options.
Chadli’s minutes..
Having started the Capital One Cup final, the Belgian retained his role for both Tottenham’s double Gameweek fixtures and was amongst the goals in the home win over Swansea. Chadli seems to have convinced Mauricio Pochettino he is worthy of a position in his first XI once again and, having averaged 4.6 points per appearance to Christian Eriksen’s 4.7, it’s clear that, providing he gets the pitch time, he is capable of producing. Granted, a trip to Old Trafford isn’t too enticing but with showdowns against three of the bottom four immediately after (LEI, bur, AVL), Spurs’ short-term fixtures could hand him the chance to impress as a mid-price (6.3) option.
Gylfi’s momentum…
With his pitch time hit hard by suspension and injury, the Swansea playmaker has fallen off many Fantasy radars in recent weeks. Having recovered from a minor hamstring injury, Sigurdsson’s appearance against former club Spurs was just his second in six Gameweeks but the Icelandic international took the perfect time to remind us of his talents by bagging a goal in the narrow 3-2 loss. Now down to 6.5 from a season-high 7.0, his home clash against Liverpool is no easy task but if he can prevail, the next four (avl, HUL, EVE, lei) offer reason for optimism.
Sanchez versus Ozil…
The Arsenal duo continue to duke it out for our attentions, with Sanchez’ strike at QPR ending a four-match goalless streak in the top-flight. Up next for Arsenal is a home encounter with a West Ham side that’s managed just one shut-out on their travels all season. Since returning from injury, Ozil has produced double figures in all three of his Emirates appearances, whilst Sanchez has racked up 10 and 19-point returns in two of his last four appearances in front of his own fans – can Ozil continue to offer the better value or will Sanchez’ strike at Loftus Road prove the spark that reignites his season over the run-in?
Pellegrini’s front two…
Despite scoring in consecutive Gameweeks for the first time this season, Edin Dzeko was dropped to the bench for City’s home win over Leicester as Wilfried Bony earned his first start alongside Sergio Aguero up top. The Ivorian failed to net in the 2-0 victory but offered far more threat than Aguero, firing six shots to the Argentine’s two – indeed, since arriving at the Etihad, Bony’s average of 17.3 minutes per attempt in the quickest of any City striker. With a run of five favourable fixtures (bur, WBA, cpl, WHM, AVL) in the next six, City’s attack looks poised to deliver the goods and if either Dzeko or Bony can nail down the role alongside Aguero, at 7.9 and 8.2 respectively they could prove excellent value as the champions go on the offensive in their bid to claw back Chelsea’s lead at the summit.
Austin’s post-double form…
For owners of the R’s striker, double Gameweek 28 proved a real disappointment after he squandered chance after chance against Arsenal and Spurs. Drafted in by over 157,000 FPL managers for his pair of home matches, Austin netted just one of his 15 attempts over both appearances as the R’s suffered back-to-back defeats to remain firmly ensconced in the bottom three. A trip to Palace offers hope, bearing in mind the Eagles have a single shut-out under Alan Pardew, but with only four of his final ten matches at Loftus Road, Austin may already be on his last chance for many, with places in our three-man frontlines at a premium.
