Scout Notes – Gameweek 28 – Sunday

Christian Benteke bags a brace as Villa hammer Norwich. Robert Snodgrass is an early weekend worry after being forced off with a wrist problem. Roberto Soldado grabs the only goal of the game as Spurs squeeze past Cardiff at the Lane, whilst Jonathan de Guzman and Glenn Murray notch a goal apiece as Swansea and Palace draw at the Liberty:

Benteke at the Double
The big Belgian’s four-match drought ended in style yesterday as he helped Villa serve up an emphatic home win over Norwich. Benteke’s two goals and maximum bonus against the Canaries helped him to a 13-point haul – his highest tally of the season – and brought his recent record to five goals and a pair of assists in his last eight league matches. Whilst a blank Gameweek 29 and home clash with Chelsea the following weekend is enough for us to steer clear for the time being, the subsequent schedule remains kind for Paul Lambert’s side. With Stoke, Fulham, Southampton and Hull still to visit Villa Park, in addition to trips to Palace and Swansea, Benteke may yet have a part to play in our Fantasy plans for the run-in. Leandro Bacuna is another name worthy of consideration. Despite being fielded at right-back in a 4-3-3, he netted for the fifth time in the league this season yesterday and has now scored in three of the last six Gameweeks for the Midlands outfit.

Injury Worries Build for Hughton
The Canaries rolled up to Villa without two of the XI that started last week’s win over Tottenham. Leroy Fer was sidelined with a hamstring injury, whilst Ricky Van Wolfswinkel also missed out due to a knee problem – replacements Wes Hoolahan and Gary Hooper combined for Norwich’s solitary strike in the 4-1 defeat, with the former finding the net. Unfortunately for Chris Hughton, however, yesterday’s result was compounded by the half-time withdrawal of Robert Snodgrass. The Scot had notched twice in his previous three matches and had started to find form but was subbed off after picking up a wrist injury – his owners face an anxious wait ahead of next weekend, with our Gameweek 29 midfield options seemingly diminishing by the day right now.

Soldado Drought Finally Over as Sherwood Rolls Out a 4-4-2
In his first league start since Gameweek 24, the Spaniard was Tottenham’s hero by grabbing the only goal of the home win over Cardiff. Tim Sherwood kept faith in the system that saw off FC Dnipro in Thursday evening’s Europa League encounter, with Soldado partnering Emmanuel Adebayor up top once more and the Togo international was again in the points by supplying the assist for the summer signing’s strike. Sherwood may have missed the talents of Christian Eriksen due to a back problem but his defence once again stood solid and delivered a third clean sheet in the last five Gameweeks – a run coinciding with the return to action of Jan Vertonghen, with Spurs conceding just twice over that period.

Solskjaer Shuffles His Pack Again
The Cardiff boss continues to utilise the depth of his squad, though the results remain the same. Yesterday saw Solskjaer make six changes from the side that were hammered at home by Hull last weekend – the Welsh club lined up in a 5-3-2 formation, with Wilfried Zaha, Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Kenwyne Jones amongst those benched, whilst Craig Noone confirmed via twitter he was missing after picking up a slight knock. The 1-0 defeat may have restricted Spurs’ attacking endeavours but the result means Cardiff have now failed to score in six of their new manager’s eight games at the helm.

De Guzman Starting to Produce Consistently
The Dutchman is becoming an increasingly influential figure for Swansea as the season picks up pace. Yesterday’s goal against Palace means de Guzman has now scored or assisted in four of his last six starts – also picking up points against the likes of City, Fulham and Liverpool in recent matches. With Pablo Hernandez subbed off early with a recurrence of his hamstring injury and both Jonjo Shelvey and Michu still sidelined, de Guzman may turn out to be a real differential punt for those eyeing up the Welsh club over the next few weeks. Garry Monk’s side have a blank next weekend but, following that, clashes with West Brom, Norwich and Hull in the subsequent four may well appeal.

Murray on the Spot for Palace
Fit enough only for the bench after picking up a midweek training ground knock, the forward replaced Tom Ince at the break as Tony Pulis moved to two up top. The Eagles boss was rewarded after Murray stepped up to slot home a late spot-kick and deny Swansea the points, though much of the talk centred around the absence of Jason Puncheon. Unconfirmed reports suggest Pulis indicated that Puncheon was “rested” for the Liberty showdown but, given that the wide man had started each of the previous 14 Gameweeks, yesterday’s turn of events is hardly reassuring for those owners who were banking on his presence for the already decimated Gameweek 29 schedule next weekend. Ince’s half-time withdrawal hardly bodes well for his game time, either.