Gameweek 13 is in the books and the unlikeliest of scorers found the back of the net in droves. Liverpool’s Glen Johnson, Manchester City’s Gael Clichy and even Tottenham’s Roberto Soldado all scored in winning efforts. Fantasy premier league managers will not likely have counted on returns from any of that trio ahead of the weekend, with With Angel Di Maria leaving United’s match early with a sore right hamstring, Vincent Kompany departing City’s victory late on and a handful of other player (notably Papiss Cisse) failing to earn full 90′ run outs as they recover from injury, it is important to act swiftly to ensure full compliments of starters in the coming days.
Baines is back; Baines scored 1 point.
The Everton and England left back did not play a week ago and managed a single point now. If you’ve held him, continue to do so. The issues he may face are nothing compared to the potential returns. The same ‘wait and see’ attitude can not be had with Manchester City’s back four.
“[After Mangala sending off & Kompany injured] we don’t have both but we have Demichelis & Boyata – Sagna can also play centre-back” #MCFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) November 30, 2014
Unbelievably, the answer to this injury issue may lie on Merseyside. Liverpool started a new back four, with Dejan Lovren dropped to the substitutes bench. The resulting back four not only recorded the Reds first clean sheets since the 0-0 draw with Hull in GW9, but also managed to score Liverpool’s only goal (Johnson, 85′). Lovren has been a disappointment since his arrival from St. Mary’s, and if this signals Rodgers willingness to leave him on the bench there is ample reason to believe 4.6m-rated Jose Enrique is worth adding ahead of the Reds’ trip to Leicester midweek. A Midfielder for All Seasons Angel Di Maria will need to be replaced and there are few better options than Yaya Toure. The Ivorian dynamo has not had the season many fantasy managers wanted, but there are few players more capable of taking over a match. With goals in two on the bounce, he is nailed on for a fantasy rebirth with seven successive matches against mid or bottom tier opposition. [pullquote]”Angel shall be out for Stoke, I think. Wayne, I don’t know. He said he would be fit for Stoke. I hope he is because he is in great form.” – Louis van Gaal[/pullquote] With Di Maria joining Mikel Arteta on the proverbial trainers table, there will be considerable FPL movement. They are not the only high-profile injuries, with the other notable midfield injury ofMorgan Schneiderlin – who has thigh injury to be evaluated in the next 24 hours.
Thigh injury – being assessed RT @yashshah_9: @BenDinnery Is Schneiderlin injured ? Any news on him? — Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) November 30, 2014
If you’re in the 30.7% of fantasy soccer managers who’ve selected Di Maria, it is a move for Toure or Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla. I’ve been touting Cazorla for a fortnight, going largely ignored until the Spanish international hit three assists in his past two matches. Arsenal face Southampton (H), Stoke (a) and Newcastle (H) in the next three and Santi’s counting stats are starting to reflect the underlying numbers. If you’re the 14.9% who’ve got the Saints’ man, his £5.8m price tag leaves meat on the bone in a move for Crystal Palace’s Australian – Mile Jedinak. The midfielder is priced £5.2m, selected in only 5.9% of sides and has a modest run: Villa (H), Spurs (a), Potters (H).
Reinvest in Berahino
The young England forward has a favourable schedule upcoming as West Brom face West Ham (H), Hull (a), Aston Villa (H) and QPR (a) in the next four. The £6.0m-rated forward is owned in 19.4% of Leagues, and hasn’t scored in his last four. That should all change for Alan Irvine’s side will look to secure at least seven points from 12 and must rely heavily on Berahino’s skill in front of goal.
For more fantasy EPL insight and analysis, please read Premier Soccer Chat’s post at Togga: Analyzing Christian Eriksen’s Potential for Your FPL Team.
Special thanks to the Fantasy Gaffer from the Togga blog.
