We turn our thoughts to the weekend matches this lunchtime, with plenty for us to ponder. Manuel Pellegrini’s tactics, Villa and QPR’s form prior to their double, Aaron Ramsey’s pitch time and Raheem Sterling’s position as Liverpool look to break into the top four are all on today’s menu.
Ramsey’s role against the Magpies…
Handed a first start since Gameweek 24 last weekend as Arsene Wenger took the chance to rest Santi Cazorla, the Welshman served up a goal and assist in the 3-0 win over West Ham. Named amongst the subs in Monaco during the week, Ramsey emerged from the bench to net once again and stake a claim for a first-team return as Arsenal head to injury-hit Newcastle. With Francis Coquelin bringing a greater balance in front of the back-four, though, Ramsey, Cazorla and Mesut Ozil are vying for the two central attacking roles in Wenger’s set-up – will it be the German’s turn to sit this one out or will the in-form Ramsey be handed bench-warming duties once again?
Pellegrini’s formation for the Baggies’ visit…
Last night’s trip to Barcelona saw the City boss switch to a lone striker system as Edin Dzeko and Wilfried Bony warmed the Nou Camp bench. With David Silva tucked in behind, Sergio Aguero was unable to find the net but there’s no question that, domestically at least, the Argentine’s Fantasy fortunes are improved when he leads the line on his own. Having scored in just two of his nine appearances since recovering from injury, Aguero’s toils as part of a two-man strike force have led many Fantasy managers to mull over a transfer out to navigate the upcoming doubles but Pellegrini’s latest tactical tweak could well prove decisive in shaping our plans for the run-in. With three home encounters (WBA, WHU, AVL) and a trip to Palace in the next five, the schedule remains very kind on the champions.
Villa’s main men ahead of the double…
With three goals apiece in the last two, Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor could barely approach their upcoming double Gameweek 31 in better shape – Villa look full of self-belief under Tim Sherwood and the recent move to two up top has clearly been instrumental in securing three straight wins in all competitions. For those unwilling to opt for their strikers, this weekend’s home clash against Swansea allows us to run the rule over their options on the flanks. Scott Sinclair and Charles N’Zogbia – at 5.2 apiece – have also started to find their form under the new man in charge. Let’s not forget that, in seasons gone by, this pair were Fantasy gold and served up top scores in FPL of 151 and 167 points respectively. If Sherwood can get them firing against the Swans, they could well be worth a flutter.
…and the R’s…
Despite the fact he’s priced at just 6.4 in FPL and sits in third spot amongst forwards, Charlie Austin is owned by just 19% of managers as the R’s prepare for their second double in four Gameweeks. Although he managed just a single goal in double Gameweek 28, Austin fired 15 shots against Arsenal and Spurs and, if he delivers again visitors Everton this weekend, more will surely be persuaded to take a gamble. A goal or assist in four of his last five also brings Matty Phillips onto our radars and, as evidenced by last week’s wonder strike against Palace, he looks filled with self-belief under Chris Ramsey. At 4.6, the winger could offer a solution for Austin non-owners looking for a cut-price midfielder to bench for their blank in Gameweek 33.
Koeman’s central options…
A trip to Chelsea persuaded the Saints boss to opt for pace through the middle as Graziano Pelle was finally taken out of the firing line. With a single goal since Gameweek 16, the big Italian’s move to the bench allowed Shane Long to lead the line as Sadio Mane tucked in behind. The latter’s trickery posed problems aplenty and, having earned the assist for a converted spot-kick in the 1-1 draw, Mane has now delivered points in six of his last eight starts. A schedule that pits them against Burnley, Everton, Hull, Stoke and Sunderland in the next six not only hands Koeman’s side the chance to reignite their bid for a top four finish but could bring Mane into contention as a serious differential, with a mere 2% ownership in the FPL game.
The Black Cats under Advocaat…
Sitting just a point above the drop zone after last week’s home hammering by Villa, Sunderland have it all to do to avoid relegation. The Dutchman’s arrival poses more questions than answers – will Costel Pantilimon keep his place between the sticks and where does Patrick van Aanholt fit into his plans? Jermain Defoe’s stock has also taken a dive after a promising start to his career on Wearside but a trip to West Ham precedes back-to-back home encounters with Newcastle and Palace which could hand Advocaat the perfect platform to get his tenure off to a winning start. With a double Gameweek still to be scheduled, a return to form could reignite our belief in Sunderland’s main men.
Eriksen’s form as the fixtures turn kind…
With a single assist in his last six outings, the Dane’s season is in danger of fading out fast. In spite of his recent lack of returns, Eriksen has earned a reprieve in many Fantasy teams as a result of the upcoming schedule, which sees Tottenham face three of the bottom five (LEI, bur, AVL) in consecutive matches and also visit Newcastle in Gameweek 33 at a time where a handful of sides will be facing blanks. With Harry Kane the obvious armband candidate amongst Mauricio Pochettino’s regulars, Eriksen still has the ability and, crucially, FPL ownership to shake up our mini-leagues – almost 26% of managers still have him on board ahead of those four kind fixtures.
Lukaku at Loftus Road…
In spite of last week’s win over Newcastle, the Toffees’ top-flight safety is far from secure. Roberto Martinez’ side sit just six points ahead of the relegation places but will be buoyed by back-to-back wins in all competitions which has seen Romelu Lukaku serve up a goal and assist in both those matches. A move to a 4-4-2 against the Magpies may well be a sign of things to come as Martinez looks to get the best out of the big Belgian. Over the last eight Gameweeks, Everton have scored six times – with two goals and three assists, Lukaku has played a part in five of those strikes and with his momentum on the up, he could punish a QPR defence that’s conceded twice in three of their last four at Loftus Road.
Sterling’s role as United come calling…
In spite of a recent run that has seen his side drop just two points in the last nine Gameweeks, Brendan Rodgers faces a dilemma as Liverpool welcome United to Anfield. The Reds’ manager’s decision to move Raheem Sterling onto the right flank has seen the youngster blank in each of the last two Gameweeks – beforehand, he’d scored or assisted in five of his previous six. Bearing in mind that a win over the Red Devils would take the Merseysiders above their bitter rivals into fourth spot, will Rodgers reshuffle his pack and allow Sterling to dictate matters from the middle? Sterling’s talents seem wasted out wide in the 3-4-2-1 and a move back alongside Philippe Coutinho or even up front could prove instrumental in overcoming Louis van Gaal’s outfit and gaining revenge for their Gameweek 16 loss at Old Trafford – the only time Liverpool have tasted defeat since rolling out their new formation.
