This is an article focusing on opportunities for value caused by player injuries during the week. If you haven’t read it before, for the avoidance of doubt and despite what you may think about the title this is in no way meant to be flippant or insensitive towards a players injury. However the unfortunate reality is that fantasy premier league injuries do give a chance for another player normally cheaper to take their place. An obvious example would be the recent value that Dzeko has given for Aguero’s injury.
Ive structured the article in 2 parts. Firstly those injured this week. I make the heading the injured player and then explain who may benefit. Secondly I talk about some returning players for GW35 who may effect a current players position. I hope you find it useful. For injury time frames I’m using the excellent site physioroom.com
Fantasy premier league injuries – those injured this gameweek
Yaya Toure
Probably the most high profile injury of DGW34 and especially for those people who captained him considering he went off after 15 minutes
No return date at the moment. Javi Garcia (who was the substitute) will probably fill in for him as a more traditional CDM. This may give Fernandinho more of a licence to go forward. However for me it remains a bit of a stretch to transfer Fernandinho and the more attacking midfilders such as Silva and Nasri are better targets
Sturridge
Went off feeling his hamstring after 66 minutes. No return date and he will be assessed during the week. Allen came on rather than a striker. If the injury means he is out I suspect this will mean a change of formation possibly to 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with at least Sterling and Coutinho in the 3. Aspas at £6.2m is the closest like for like replacement although its difficult to see him coming into the side at this stage of the season. The value should be for Sterling and Coutinho to both play in advanced roles.
Olsson (WBA)
Went off with an Achilles injury. Pepe Mell made noises about him returning for the GW35 fixture. £3.9m cheapie Craig Dawson replaced him in the game and is the likely beneficiary of any possibilty of a longer injury given he took his place during Olssons suspension. Needs monitoring as it does give some value potential for their DGW37 if the injury is more serious. Although DGW37 for WBA is away to Arsenal and Sunderland.
Dikagcoi
Injured early in the game and Chamkh came on for him. No return date yet but it’s described as a knock so doesn’t sound long term. This would have disrupted Ledleys ability to get forward as he has been in the “hole” recently. Fixtures are pretty mixed with City and Liverpool 2 of the games so no excitement really generated from this
Fantasy premier league injuries – those returning for GW35
Ozil
Won’t be fit for tonight but returning for the weekend according to Physioroom.com. Difficult to assess who will miss out. Cazorla will stay which really leaves Podolski and The Ox as targets to miss out. On recent selection that would be the Ox. However he offers something different to the team with his pace and ability to run at people. Something that has been evident in recent games. That may spare him but both Podolski, Rosicky and the Ox would be risky purchases this week.
Soldado
Should be fit for GW35. Sherwood seems to have returned to 2 strikers with Harry Kane coming in. However Kane has produced 2 goals in 2 games since he’s come into the side. Sherwood doesn’t select by reputation or price tag then I wouldn’t bet on an immediate Soldado return.
Debuchy
Not that you would want to touch the Newcastle defence at the moment but if you want to gamble on Swansea and Cardiff at home then I think Newcastle will go to a back 4. Coloccini will stay with Williamson and S Taylor fighting for the other position. I personally think Williamson will hold it.
Remy
This will be a welcome sight for Newcastle fans given Newcastles form without him. Most of the time this season Pardew has played Remy as the lone striker and given the defensive issues at the moment I would expect that to continue with Cisse dropping out. Ameobi also played this weekend but I would expect him to drop out as well.
Jagielka
This has been bit of a contiuing story. The uncertainty has seen us in the main missing out on cheapie Stones who is likely to play both games in the DGW. Stones is the most likely to make way if he does actually return but the fixtures are difficult for Everton anyway with Man Utd, City and Southampton away in the last 4 so Everton defenders may become surplus.
Boruc
The end for cheapie £3.9m GK Gazzaniga.
Kenwyne Jones
Can’t see him taking Campbells place at the moment. Campbell has started the last 9. Jones has started 2 in the last 7.
Rafael and Evans
I read somewhere that Moyes is coming up to his 50th game and he is yet to play the same team twice. Away to Everton is probably a good time to observe the defensive lineup rather than play someone so I’ll refrain from trying to guess what Moyes will do
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