Scout Notes – Gameweek 34 – Sunday

Martin Skrtel notches once again and David Silva’s form continues as Liverpool and City serve up a five-goal Anfield thriller. Jordan Henderson earns a three-match ban, whilst Yaya Toure and Daniel Sturridge both limp off with groin and hamstring problems as Fantasy managers await further news. Demba Ba keeps Chelsea’s bid on course with the only goal of the game at Swansea and Hull prepare for a Wembley date after getting the better of Sheffield United:

Yaya Worry for City
After recovering from a knock picked up against Southampton last weekend, the Ivorian lasted only 19 minutes before limping off with a thigh problem in yesterday’s defeat. Toure’s possible absence from Wednesday’s clash with Sunderland would leave his owners with a single point for his pair of fixtures – a potentially significant scenario in many mini-leagues, given that plenty chose to hand him the armband after he delivered a 31-point return in City’s previous double Gameweek. Any spell on the sidelines would have a major knock-on effect across the Fantasy games – Toure is owned by 47% of FPL managers right now and with the injured Eden Hazard still sitting in 30% of teams, the midfield template could be ripped up over the last few games. After the game, Manuel Pellegrini admitted it will be ”difficult” for Toure to make Wednesday’s game against Sunderland, with the midfielder set for tests later today.

Silva Dazzles in Spite of Defeat
With Manuel Pellegrini retaining a 4-2-3-1 formation, the little Spaniard continued in his role in “the hole” behind a lone forward. Silva arrived at Anfield on the back of two goals and a trio of assists in his previous five appearances and served up yet another attacking display, with a goal, assist and couple of bonus points delivered in the 3-2 defeat. Sitting in just 12% of teams, he seems an ideal alternative if Toure is ruled out for City’s run-in; home games against West Brom and West Ham allied with a trip to Palace and double Gameweek 37 against Everton and Sunderland, Silva could be in line for a major bandwagon.

Skrtel in the Goals Again
Whilst the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard picked up an assist apiece in yesterday’s 3-2 thriller, the centre-half notched his seventh goal of the season as Liverpool moved seven points clear of their opponents. Skrtel’s first-half header means he has now scored more times than any other defender and with a single bonus point also in the bag, he moved onto 136 points in the FPL game – 49 points more than any other Liverpool backline option and enough to earn him joint-sixth in the defender standings, despite managing just eight clean sheets thus far. It’s also worth noting that Mamadou Sakho retained his starting berth alongside Skrtel in the heart of the Merseysiders’ back-four in spite of Daniel Agger’s return to fitness.

Gerrard Survives the Tightrope Walk
The Liverpool skipper successfully navigated yesterday’s 90 minutes without picking up a yellow card and no longer has the threat of a two-match ban hanging over him. Gerrard had played four matches since earning his ninth yellow of the season and with the limit now extended from 10 to 15 cautions before triggering a suspension, his owners can now breathe easy ahead for the run-in.

Elsewhere in the Liverpool midfield, Jordan Henderson’s late dismissal comes at a significant cost. The only outfield player to have started every league match this term, he is now set to serve a three-match suspension and will miss games against Norwich, Chelsea and Palace before returning in time for the Gameweek 38 home clash against Newcastle. Brendan Rodgers rolled out a midfield diamond once again yesterday and with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho grabbing a goal apiece, the Reds boss could turn to Joe Allen or Lucas in the centre as a result of Henderson’s enforced absence.

Sturridge Concern for Reds
Subject to over 91,000 sales last week as managers loaded up on double Gameweek options, the Liverpool forward’s remaining 32% of owners will be anxiously awaiting a fitness update after he was forced off on 65 minutes in yesterday’s match. Brendan Rodgers admitted Sturridge will need monitored after being withdrawn due to a tight hamstring – with two goals in his last seven, many may decide now is the time to sell and look to differentials for the run-in.

Ba the Blues’ Hero Once Again
The Senegal striker was rewarded for firing the midweek Champions League clincher against PSG with a rare starting role for Chelsea’s trip to Swansea. Ba – who last featured in the first XI back in Gameweek 7 – vindicated Jose Mourinho’s decision by grabbing the only goal of a narrow Liberty triumph as the visitors kept their title track on course. Chelsea have a home clash with Sunderland up next but bearing in mind Samuel Eto’o has produced five goals and three assists in his last six at Stamford Bridge, there’d be no real surprise to see Ba back on the bench again, given his manager’s penchant for rotation.

Salah Earns More Game Time
With Eden Hazard missing out due to a calf complaint, Mourinho kept faith with the attacking midfield three that started the previous league encounter. Mohamed Salah, Willian and Andre Schurrle lined up behind Ba before a change in tactics saw the German replaced at the break. Salah is now the only Chelsea attacking midfielder to manage 90 minutes in the last two matches and his domestic game time is clearly benefitting from the fact that he is ineligible to feature in Europe this season. With Norwich and Cardiff also still to play, the young Egyptian – priced at 5.5 in FPL – is looking a real budget option worth considering for the run-in as Mourinho looks to rotate to strengthen his side’s chances of picking up the silverware.

After the game, Chelsea assistant coach Steve Holland gave Hazard’s owners reason for optimism:

“He should be back sooner rather than later, it’s still a little bit too early to say for sure. Having a clear week this week is a big advantage. I can’t stress enough the extra demand the Champions League brings. It’s just what the doctor ordered this week to have the chance to give the players a bit of a break.”

Tigers Through to Wembley Final
Hull are set to face Arsenal in the FA Cup Final after a pulsating 5-3 win over Sheffield United yesterday afternoon. With first-choice frontmen Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long both cup-tied, Steve Bruce handed Yannick Sagbo the chance to lead the line – the Frenchman was amongst the goals, whilst midfield regulars such as Tom Huddlestone (one goal), David Meyler (goal and assist) and Jake Livermore (two assists) all turned in significant contributions. Hull now face a dress rehearsal of the final as Arsenal roll up to the KC this weekend but with a trip to Fulham preceding a double Gameweek 37, their in-form assets are perhaps staking a claim for our consideration.