Scout Mission – Gameweek 36

There may be just three Gameweeks left but our Thursday lunchtime regular has plenty to consider. Ryan Giggs’ first teamsheet in charge of United, Jose Mourinho’s starting XI for Chelsea’s trip to Liverpool, the double Gameweek sides’ form ahead of next week’s pair of fixtures and City’s faltering title tilt at in-form Palace are all on the menu:

United’s Starting Line-Up Under Giggs
With David Moyes now gone, the interim-manager will surely look to go on the attack as United attempt to restore their pride over the last four fixtures of the season. A home game against Norwich hands them the perfect opportunity to recover from last week’s limp loss at Everton and, with next week’s double comprising of back-to-back home games against Sunderland and Hull, a solid display against the Canaries will go a little way to restoring our Fantasy faith in the Red Devils’ assets. Whilst Moyes was keen on building for the future, Giggs’ job is all about saving face after a disastrous defence of the title – he may well turn to the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand at the back, whilst Juan Mata owners will be hoping that reports in this morning’s press suggesting the Spaniard’s starting role could be at stake are no more than wild speculation.

Jose’s Team Sheet at Anfield
In the aftermath of Tuesday evening’s draw at Atletico Madrid, the Chelsea boss was quick to suggest he may well field a weakened side for Sunday’s crucial encounter with Liverpool. Defeat at Anfield would end the Blues’ title hopes but Mourinho is clearly looking to prioritise the Champions League trophy and with the return leg against Diego Simeone’s side just three days later, he could look to rest many of his key players – thus handing the advantage to Brendan Rodgers’ troops. With Petr Cech already out for the season and John Terry and Eden Hazard also likely to remain sidelined with injuries, Mourinho may just be getting his excuses in early if Chelsea do indeed capitulate on Merseyside.

Who Will Step Up for Everton in Mirallas’ Absence?
Three goals and an assist in his last four appearances highlights the Belgian’s recent form. For all the claims of inconsistency, Mirallas’ exploits have seen him move up to 144 points in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game – only four midfielders have managed to score more. Unfortunately for Everton, a groin injury sustained against United has sidelined Mirallas for the rest of the season, dealing the Toffees’ chances of finishing fourth a bitter blow ahead of upcoming games against Southampton and City. Roberto Martinez is spoiled for choice in the attacking midfield areas, though, and we may yet see Gerard Deulofeu or even Aiden McGeady handed a run of starts from here on in as the Everton boss looks to clinch a Champions League spot. Mirallas’ absence also looks likely to ensure Steven Naismith retains his starting role but, despite scoring three times in the last four, the Scot’s classification as a forward limits his appeal for many.

Can the Black Cats Kick On from Last Week’s Displays?
Having taken four points from their two road trips to City and Chelsea, Sunderland have defied the doubters and are far from down and out. Like United, Gus Poyet’s side have three home games still left to save their season and, encouragingly for the Wearsiders, all three of their visitors are fellow relegation candidates – Cardiff are first up this weekend and with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looking incapable of keeping out their opponents, a strong showing from the Black Cats’ main assets will surely bring them into consideration for next week’s double. Until last week, Adam Johnson looked the one viable attacking option but both Connor Wickham and Fabio Borini are starting to suggest they may be worth a flutter for those willing to gamble. At the back, many will look to Vito Mannone’s exploits in goal but, if Poyet’s side can pick up a clean sheet or two, Marco Alonso and Phil Bardsley have decent underlying stats which may yet harvest attacking returns.

Will the Baggies Be Our Best Bet for Doubles Differentials?
As we mentioned in Tuesday’s Digest, there’s not been too much to get excited about from the rest of the double Gameweek 37 candidates. Whilst Hull and Villa have scored four times in the last six Gameweeks, West Brom have notched 10 times over the same period and are doing enough to suggest they could be ones to watch. Over the last four, Graham Dorrans and Morgan Amalfitano have each scored twice and Matej Vydra has scored or assisted in all but one of the Baggies’ matches – with a win over West Ham this weekend set to take the midlands outfit to within a single point of Big Sam’s side, Mel’s men could yet force their way into consideration as budget differentials.

Can Ozil Find the Form to Match his Fixtures?
As the treatment room begins to empty, Arsenal have once again embarked on their customary push for a fourth place finish. Arsene Wenger’s side now sit a point above Everton and with home games against Newcastle and West Brom preceding a trip to Norwich, the fixtures are undoubtedly in the Gunners’ favour as they look to clinch Champions League qualification for a seventeenth consecutive season. Aaron Ramsey’s impact last weekend has earned him an almighty bandwagon, with over 180,000 Fantasy managers snapping up the Welshman after his 16-point haul at Hull, whilst back-to-back braces from Lukas Podolski has brought the German into many sides this week. Having finally returned to action at the KC last week, can Mesut Ozil rediscover his early-season and be the next Arsenal player to take advantage of the fixtures? The summer signing had averaged 6.3 points per game alongside Ramsey until the latter limped out of action in Gameweek 18 – if he can help obtain Champions League football once again, his displays over the last three fixtures could go a long way to paying back that record fee and perhaps bring him into consideration for next term.

Will Palace kill off City’s title bid?
The past few weeks have shown us that, with Tony Pulis’ Palace, anything is possible. The Eagles welcome City to Selhurst Park on the back of a five-match winning run which has seen them pick up four clean sheets and defeat the likes of Chelsea and Everton. A loss for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, coupled with a win for Liverpool over Jose Mourinho’s men on Sunday would all but finish City’s title ambitions and leave them nine points behind the Merseysiders with just three matches remaining. Not only would it prove significant in the race to win the Premier League, such a scenario may persuade Pellegrini to be a little more cautious with his injury worries –there’s a concern that the Chilean may opt to utilise his squad for the double Gameweek 37 and, with a World Cup just around the corner, take less risks with the fitness of Yaya Toure and David Silva if City’s chances of picking up the silverware are quashed earlier than we anticipated.