The Scout Mission – Gameweek 9

Preparation for the weekend starts here. We extend our Gameweek feelers, identifying our targets for observation and analysis in our usual midweek preview.

Arsenal’s Rotation
The frighteners are on after Arsene Wenger dared ditch Aaron Ramsey from his starting lineup for the win over Norwich. While Ramsey eventually came out of that scenario smelling of roses, we’re on alert this weekend for the early kick-off at Palace. Midweek exertions against Dortmund may prompt Wenger to consider further tinkering although, at the same time, he’ll want to maintain momentum in the league and may not risk weakening his lineup against a Palace side with a point to prove following the 4-1 home defeat to Fulham and departure of Ian Holloway.

The Van Persie Situation
The Dutchman’s Fantasy owners must be tiring, not just with the modest returns but, more significantly, the ongoing injury concerns that are continually casting doubt over Van Persie’s starts. Having missed the midweek Champions League tie against Real Sociedad, Van Persie is again a doubt for the potentially profitable home encounter with Stoke this weekend with groin and toe problems. Even if he does make it into the starting lineup, should Van Persie fail to notch against Stoke, we’re surely set to see continued sales as concerns on United’s attacking output mount.

Lukaku’s Minutes
Hauled off with twenty minutes to go in the win over Hull, owners of the Belgian will be keen not just to see their man score but also to ensure that he gets the full 90 at Villa Park. Roberto Martinez has options in attacking areas – Nikica Jelavic and particularly Arouna Kone will pressure Lukaku’s pitch time and he can’t afford a dip in performance. Having blanked last weekend, Lukaku needs a goal at Villa to keep pace with the cast of prolific strikers on offer at the moment – given that Martinez has admitted earlier today Lukaku will need time to “maintain intensity over 90 minutes”, the Belgian may struggle to last the full match again.

Liverpool’s System
Even with Glen Johnson available, Brendan Rodgers kept faith with a 3-2-4-1 system for the 2-2 draw at Newcastle. Will he do the same for an Anfield meeting with West Brom? It seems likely and, if that’s the case, we’ll be examining the performances of Johnson and Aly Cissokho against the Baggies. With Jose Enrique still troubled by a knee problem, Cissokho could well earn another start as he bids to raise himself above the Spaniard in the pecking order. As for Johnson, his potential as a wing-back is strong and, at just 5.7, he could shape up to be an outstanding prospect should Rodgers persevere with his current setup. We’ll also be watching for news on Philippe Coutinho’s availability – he’s close to a return and that could prompt a significant shake-up in attacking areas.

The West Brom Defence
The Baggies have conceded just two goals in their last four outings (against United and Arsenal) as they quietly establish themselves as a back four worthy of our attention. With Ben Foster still sidelined for the foreseeable with a foot problem, Boas Myhill has offered outstanding value for just 4.5 in nets. In the back four, Liam Ridgewell has top scored so far but both Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley also offer potential with goal threat from set-plays. The trip to Anfield is daunting and their capability to deal with the combination of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez will tell us more on their potential for shut-outs from this point on.

Ben Arfa’s Role
The Frenchman was deployed as the central attacking player in Alan Pardew’s 4-3-3 against Liverpool, but the system closely resembled a 4-6-0 with the winger dropping deep at times to help congest the midfield. Having been restored to the starting lineup, we will look on the Tyne-Wear derby with interest, assessing just how Pardew will utilise his talents from this point on. Clearly there is concern on Ben Arfa’a ability to track back and defend – long term, that’s likely to see him brought inside to central areas given Pardew’s desire to get industry from his wide men. Having been sold on by more Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners than any other midfield this week, his role on Saturday will be a quick indicator as to whether Ben Arfa’s appeal is dead in the water or potentially set to rise again.

Torres and Eto’o
Suddenly Jose Mourinho has a pair of strikers threatening to find form. Samuel Eto’o claimed a first, well taken, goal in the win over Cardiff last time out while Fernando Torres won plaudits for his midweek brace in Europe. With City at the Bridge, the starting lineup on Sunday will offer a heavy hint as to how Jose sees his first choice XI. Torres would appear to be in the box seat and, if he can maintain the form shown at Schalke, we wonder if he could possibly even appear back on our radars given his 8.3 FPL price point.

Neil Taylor’s Performance
With Ben Davies sidelined through injury for up to four weeks, Neil Taylor is set to start at left-back for the visit of West Ham, offering an option in the Swans back four for just 4.4. While that looks outstanding value, there is some concern that without Davies and skipper Ashley Williams, Michael Laudrup’s rearguard is vulnerable. That didn’t prove to be the case against Sunderland and, while West Ham were victorious on the road at Spurs last time out, they clearly lack a cutting edge up top. Taylor has the talent to make the left-back role his own and, with the fixtures so favourable, he has to be a target to consider.

The Tottenham Teamsheet
Andre Villas-Boas mixed things up at Villa, making changes that brought Vlad Chiriches into his defence and handed a start to Lewis Holtby in midfield. While tonight’s teamsheet in the Europa League will offer further clues, it remains to be seen how the Spurs boss will approach the home clash with Hull. Chiriches is expected to threaten Michael Dawson’s start, particularly when Danny Rose is fit to return at left-back. Holtby, meanwhile, ousted Christian Eriksen to the bench and given the result at Villa, that situation won’t necessarily be reversed on Sunday.

Hull Without McGregor
Allan McGregor has been outstanding for the Tigers this term and his influence has surely been a factor behind their resolute defensive displays. With McGregor sidelined for up to six weeks, Steve Harper will be in goal for Steve Bruce’s side at the Lane and could offer great potential at just 4.0 in the FPL. We will be monitoring just how Hull adjust to life without their number one stopper ahead of possible home clean sheets against Sunderland and Palace in the next four Gameweeks.