Oscar grabs a pair of assists in Brazil’s win over Argentina. Dusan Tadic also earns an assist for Serbia. Wilfried Bony is in the goals as Ivory Coast triumph, while Roy Hodgson confirms he has no plans to rest Raheem Sterling for tonight’s clash with Estonia.
Oscar Instrumental in Brazil Win
The Chelsea midfielder provided a pair of assists as Brazil saw off Argentina 2-0 in a friendly match played in China yesterday. Oscar was one of a number of Premier League players afforded 90 minutes in this one – Willian, Filipe Luis, Martin Demichelis, Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo featured from start to finish, whilst Sergio Aguero and Erik Lamela were handed an hour apiece.
The Scout Says: Slowly but surely, Oscar is starting to suggest he could yet have a part to play in our Fantasy seasons. A goal and assist in his last three league appearances is indicative of his improving displays and yesterday’s showing merely underlines his playmaking capabilities – at less than 3% ownership in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, he’d be an invaluable differential if he can continue that form for the Blues. Whilst Aguero owners will be happy with his limited minutes, both South American sides still have plenty of travelling to do before domestic action resumes. Argentina face Hong Kong away on Tuesday, whilst Brazil play Japan in Singapore on the same day before facing a lengthy trip home. Although United don’t return to action until Monday evening, City, on the other hand, are set to play on Saturday lunchtime, and Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping his main men are suitably rested before squaring up to Tottenham.
HODGSON RELYING ON STERLING
Roy Hodgson has declared that he will not rest Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling when England face Estonia in their Euro Qualifier tonight, despite Brendan Rodger’s previous protests about the winger’s current workload. Sterling only played for 45 minutes for England against San Marino on Thursday night, and Hodgson believes he is perfectly capable of putting in another shift this evening:
“When he shows signs of not being quite as sharp, that might be the moment we think we have to manage this and give him a break. I don’t think the situation will need managing until he shows signs of suffering from it. But that is not the case at the moment – and I don’t think Liverpool need to worry.”
The Scout Says: Over 53% of Fantasy managers will be hoping that Sterling comes through tonight’s fixture unscathed, as Liverpool prepare for a kind run of fixtures. Whilst Hodgson is determined to utilise the teenager, Rodgers has already shown that he’s prepared to rest Sterling to the bench to protect his match sharpness, as evidenced by a sub role in the Gameweek 4 clash with Villa, which took place after the first international break of the season. However, with Lazar Markovic sustaining a reported muscle tear in Serbia’s Euro qualifier yesterday, Rodgers may be convinced to hold off resting Sterling for a while yet. Markovic has started two of Liverpool’s last four league fixtures, though has failed to stamp his mark thus far since his summer switch from Benfica. With Daniel Sturridge now set to return to the fold, the Serb is likely to earn a sub role at best when he is back from injury.
TADIC HELPS SERBIA TO DRAW
Dusan Tadic grabbed a late assist as Serbia fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Armenia in their Euro qualifier.
The Scout Says: Tadic is still flying under the radar in FPL with an ownership of just below 3%, though he has proved a central figure to Ronald Koeman’s plans since joining Southampton in the summer and has picked up returns in each of his last two home appearances. The Saints have two consecutive St Mary’s fixtures ahead of them against Sunderland and Stoke, with three more enticing encounters to follow (hul, LEI, avl), and Tadic, at 7.5, is sure to continue to be instrumental in their midfield. Koeman would also have been encouraged by Florin Gardos’ return from injury for Romania last night – the 4.9-priced centre-back has only played 45 minutes for the Saints this term due to a calf injury, but is now set to increase his manager’s options in defence for their aforementioned run of fixtures.
BONY NETS IN ELEPHANTS’ WIN
Wilfried Bony was on the scoresheet as Ivory Coast defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier yesterday. City’s Yaya Toure earned an assist after his free-kick was deflected into the path of Max Gradel, who slotted home the winner.
The Scout Says: Bony is finally starting to find some form after a laboured start to the campaign. Last night’s strike followed his Gameweek 7 goal against Newcastle, and with two decent fixtures up next for the Swansea (sto, LEI), he could be set to give Garry Monk’s side the ideal fillip after their recent lack of wins. The schedule takes a turn for the worse after Gameweek 9 (eve, ARS, mci), though it is worth remembering that Bony’s displays in such meetings last season saw him earn the status of ‘fixture-proof’ – eight of his 17 goals in the 2013/14 campaign came against the top six sides.
KRUL CONCERN FOR NEWCASTLE
Tim Krul has been withdrawn from Holland’s squad for their European Championship Qualifiers after suffering an elbow injury in training.
The Scout Says: A potential absence for Krul will only add to Alan Pardew’s growing list of woes, with Paul Dummett and Daryl Janmaat having already pulled out of their international squads earlier this week. Krul’s injury could, however, bring Rob Elliot into consideration as the cheapest playing keeper around for a short while, but with 14 goals against in the opening seven Gameweeks, their backline is still unlikely to earn many new owners for now.
BAGGIES SWEATING ON BRUNT
Chris Brunt is in a race to be fit for West Brom’s clash with Man United next weekend. The midfielder missed last night’s Euro qualifier for Northern Ireland with a groin problem and is also a major doubt for their meeting with Greece on Tuesday.
The Scout Says: Ever an ‘unattractive’ pick, Brunt has nonetheless proved valuable for his 5.4 price tag with assists in two of his last three league outings. His total of 51 crosses this season is also particularly impressive, with his eye for a ball into the box likely to be damaging against United’s porous defence next Monday if he can win his fitness race. Brunt’s potential absence is also worrying for Saido Berahino’s owners, as the 5.5-priced forward could be shifted to the right flank with Brown Ideye expected to be fit for the United clash. Three goals in his last two from the central forward berth has seen the England Under-21 star receive plenty of interest already this Gameweek, but his potential could be seriously dented if he is withdrawn to midfield to plug the gap left by Brunt.
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