The Stock Check – Sunday

Another quality strike from Gareth Bale is enough to earn Spurs the points against 10-man West Brom, while in Manchester, Daniel Sturridge sparkles and scores as Liverpool hold City in their own backyard. Here’s the Stock Check from Sunday’s matches…

On the Up

Gareth Bale
The Welshman followed his midweek strike at Norwich with another goal that simply reeked of quality. With 11 for the season, Bale has now broken out of a dry spell to hint at some consistency once more. He cannot rival either Theo Walcott or Juan Mata in that respect currently, but Bale promises explosive returns which will worry those who choose to overlook his goal threat in their midfields.

Michael Dawson
The rangy centre-back has now started the last six league encounters with Spurs keeping two clean sheets and conceding no more than a goal a game in the other four. At 4.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), he’s emerged as a clear contender for our squads offering a cut-price route to Andre Villas-Boas’ improved back four.

Daniel Sturridge
An outsanding display by the former City man, capped by a fine goal, underlined his potential ahead of Liverpool’s double Gameweek. Those contemplating investment in a Liverpool attacker would have been hugely assured by his performance and, given his current price tag of 7.5, he will surely see big interest and be prioritised even over 17-goal Luis Suarez. As a caveat, Sturridge almost finished the match after being subbed at the death but had an ice-pack applied to a thigh injury. It remains to be seen if that sees him withdraw from the England squad for their midweek friendly with Brazil – Brendan Rodgers stated post-match that he was a doubt and Sturridge himself mentioned that he would undergo a scan to assess the damage.

Steven Gerrard
Another sublimely taken long-range effort, together with a twelfth assist of the season, boosted Gerrard’s stock just in time for Liverpool’s two fixtures. Whilst he’s being deployed deeper by Brendan Rodgers, with perhaps reduced license to get beyond the striker, his threat from range remains potent. Like both Mata and Walcott, Gerrard’s consistency of late is remarkable – he’s returned either a goal or assist in 10 of his last 12 league outings.

Sergio Aguero
An improbable finish from the Argentine saw him return to the scoresheet to take him to three goals in the last four league starts. Ageuro is clearly the most secure of City’s strikers but he’s also, by far, the most expensive. Right now, that price tag provides a major obstacle but, with just over 5% FPL ownership, he’s clearly an effective differential for the season run-in.

Eden Dzeko
Back in the side after being benched against QPR, Dzeko’s goalscoring instincts again earned him a tap-in for City’s opener to take him to 11 goals for the season. While Roberto Mancini may keeping look for opportunities to restore Carlos Tevez alongside Sergio Aguero, it’s hard to ignore the fact that, when Dzeko plays, he’s scoring goals. Fantasy managers shopping in the mid-price bracket will need more evidence that Dzeko’s start is assured but, if that arrives, the potential on offer is clear.

Going Down

Jermain Defoe
After a dismal run of form, Defoe’s demise was compounded today by an ankle injury which saw him forced off on 38 minutes. Andre Villas-Boas stated post-match that he expected Defoe to be sidelined for “two to three weeks” after suffering ligament damage.

Carlos Tevez
The Argentine remained on the bench and watched on while both Dzeko and Aguero scored the goals to earn City a hard-fought draw. Tevez started the 0-0 draw at Loftus Road but has not scored in his last eight league appearances. Sentiment from Mancini might provide him with another start at Southampton next weekend but, on form, the Aguero/Dzeko partnership look to be City’s current first choice option.

Matija Nastasic
Back in the side having only been fit enough for the bench in the midweek draw with QPR, it was interesting that Nastasic was the defender sacrificed as Mancini shifted formation to 3-5-2 just before the hour-mark. With Joleon Lescott kept on the pitch, it would appear that the City boss may hare reassessed his defensive pecking order. We will know more when Vincent Kompany is fit to return.

David Silva
Another player sacrificed by Mancini as he chased the game, Silva was disappointing having looked so dangerous in his previous outing at Loftus Road. While there are so many strong heavy-hitter contenders in midfield right now, Silva’s inconsistency is a worry and a major obstacle. Like Aguero, he’s currently a differential rather than an essential consideration.

Luis Suarez
The Uruguayan did little wrong today but returned a blank for his owners on a day that Sturridge shone by comparison. Suarez has only returned two blanks in his last eight Gameweeks, suggesting that he’ll return to form for Liverpool’s double Gameweek. However, with Suarez priced at 10.6 to Sturridge’s 7.5, there’s little doubt who will draw the most interest following today’s events.