David Silva returns from injury to notch in City’s superb comeback win over Bayern Munich. Phil Jones fires United to victory at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. Liverpool’s midfield worries grow ahead of the weekend trip to White Hart Lane, where Jan Vertonghen may be sidelined for the next month, while David Luiz and Oscar return from injury as Jose Mourinho looks to make changes against Steaua Bucharest this evening:
Silva Back as City Shock Bayern
The Spaniard returned from a calf injury to spark a stunning fightback away to the Champions League holders last night. Manuel Pellegrini was without the suspended Yaya Toure and also chose to leave Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany on the bench and rest Samir Nasri altogether but his side were still able to recover from going 2-0 down within 12 minutes. Silva was fielded in “the hole” in a 4-2-3-1 formation and made way after 73 minutes of a successful comeback to instantly catch the eye of onlooking Fantasy managers. He wasn’t the only attacking midfielder to prosper, though; James Milner produced a goal and two assists, whilst Jesus Navas earned himself an assist. Stand-in skipper Aleksandar Kolarov was also amongst the scorers – the left-back benefitted from the absence of Aguero and Toure to fired home from the spot.
The Scout Says: Silva’s return to action arrives just ahead of a schedule which hands City three home games and a trip to Fulham in the next four Gameweeks. The visit of Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime may just deter some from jumping on the bandwagon early, though – while City have hammered the likes of United and Spurs amongst others at the Etihad, the Gunners have the best away record in the league so far. Nonetheless, if Silva is deemed fit enough to face the European champions, it’s difficult to see him not starting against the league leaders, given that a win would reduce the gap between the two clubs to just three points. For those Steven Gerrard owners looking for a way out, Silva looks an ideal differential replacement (3% ownership), though, having broken down with injury twice already this term, his acquisition doesn’t come without some risk attached. After the game, his manager conceded Silva “could not play more than 70 minutes” – an indication that, while he may get a weekend start, Pellegrini may not give him the entire match just yet.
Jones The Goal Hero for United
David Moyes’ side recovered from back-to-back home defeats in the league to squeeze past their Ukrainian visitors last night. The United boss started with Wayne Rooney as the lone forward, utilising Shinji Kagawa in “the hole” before the arrival of Robin van Persie just after the hour mark saw the home side move to a two-man frontline, with Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj out wide. Neither of the two forwards were able to find the net, though, with Phil Jones – utilised in midfield alongside Tom Cleverley once again – firing the only goal of the game.
The Scout Says: Having used van Persie somewhat cautiously last night, Moyes is clearly still concerned over the Dutchman’s ongoing groin problem and, as the festive program picks up, Rooney’s consistency of game time remains the safest best for those eying up United’s attack. Last night’s result continued a run of poor attacking displays in front of their own supporters – Moyes’ side have now failed to score more than a single goal in nine of 13 matches in all competitions at Old Trafford under the new manager. Given their lack of cutting edge at home, three road trips in the next four (avl, WHM, hul, nor) are likely to suit the champions, though Moyes has concerns at the back ahead of those matches, with Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra all missing out last night. Jonny Evans’ start looks a little more secure if the former two remain sidelined, though, with a single clean sheet in 11 Gameweeks, it’s fair to say Moyes’ side have hardly impressed at the back, either.
Midfield Worries for the Reds
Reports indicate that Steven Gerrard is set to be sidelined for six weeks with the hamstring injury that forced him off against West Ham at the weekend. Brendan Rodgers is believed to have further concerns after Jordan Henderson picked up an ankle problem against the Hammers – the midfielder has been wearing a protective boot since the incident, according to the local press, but the Reds are optimistic he will be available for the trip to Tottenham.
The Scout Says: The injuries could hardly have come at a worse time for the Merseysiders. Liverpool also have trips to City and Chelsea in the next four Gameweeks in their toughest away streak of the season – Gerrard and Henderson are the only two outfield players to have been named in the starting XI for all 15 of their side’s fixtures and are clearly vital to Rodgers’ plans. With a goal or assist in nine of the last 10, Gerrard’s expected absence is a huge blow for his manager but, from a Fantasy perspective, it may well bolster Luis Suarez’ chances of spot-kicks, though Daniel Agger offers an alternative. Rodgers rolled out a 4-2-3-1 against the Hammers and may continue with the same formation, partnering Joe Allen with Lucas in the double-pivot. If Henderson fails to recover in time, Iago Aspas or Victor Moses could come in out of the cold on the Reds’ right, lining up with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho behind Suarez.
Mourinho Looking to Make Changes for Visit of Steaua
The Blues boss was handed a boost ahead of this evening’s visit of Steaua after David Luiz and Oscar were passed fit following recent injuries. The Brazilian duo have returned to full training and could well be handed starting roles along with Ashley Cole as Mourinho looks to freshen up his first-team as he attempts to clinch the three points which would see his side finish as group winners:
“I’m not going to play the same team as I did in the last match. I’m going to give a little rest to a couple of players, or three players. We have an important match on Saturday and we play a quarter-final next Tuesday. I don’t want to call it rotation because normally when you say rotate it comes with an idea that the team is weak but that’s not the case.”
The Scout Says: Cole’s return at left-back may well be temporary, with Cesar Azpilicueta favoured for the role by Mourinho over the last few matches. Luiz’ comeback may bring Gary Cahill’s run of starts under threat, though – the former Bolton man has has been named alongside John Terry in each of the last five but, given Chelsea’s lack of resilience, may well be sacrificed as his manager looks to freshen up his options. Oscar has dropped down to 8.8 after missing the last two Gameweeks, sold on by over 200,000 Fantasy managers, but now looks poised to cement his role in the XI ahead of run of three home games in four, starting with the visit of Palace this weekend. Mourinho’s decision to alternate a number his players will bode well for Eden Hazard’s owners – the Belgian could well be afforded the night off as his manager targets a return to winning ways after Saturday’s surprise loss away to Stoke.
Vertonghen Worry for Villas-Boas
Reports in the local press have suggested the Belgian may be sidelined until after the New Year with the ankle injury sustained at the end of the recent win at Fulham. Vertonghen is potentially looking at a four-week absence, though Spurs could finally be set to welcome back Danny Rose to the fold for this week’s Europa League match against Anzhi.
The Scout Says: Such a timescale on the sidelines would see the Belgian miss the next five Gameweeks, as the fixtures come thick and fast over the festive period. Ironically, Rose’s return would have finally allowed Vertonghen the chance to return to centre-half, having filled in at left-back for a number of weeks – certainly, Villas-Boas has a umber of options in the middle of his back-four and even fielded the versatile Etienne Capoue alongside Michael Dawson in the 2-1 win at Sunderland last time out. However Capoue, like Rose, is classified as a midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League – with a run of three home fixtures (WBA, STO, CPL) in four from Gameweek 18 onwards, the potential for clean sheets looks heightened, but with so much uncertainty in the middle, Kyle Walker looks the safest route if Vertonghen is indeed ruled out.
