Scout Scribbles – Sterling Back on the Goal Trail

Raheem Sterling scores twice, whilst Lazar Markovic opens his account for Liverpool in a 3-1 cup win at Bournemouth. Harry Kane and Nacer Chadli are amongst the goals as Spurs hammer Newcastle at the Lane, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be set for a quick return from injury this weekend, whilst Baggies skipper Chris Burnt could also be in contention.

LIVERPOOL FIND THEIR FORM

Brendan Rodgers rolled out a 3-4-3 set-up once again as Liverpool overcame Bournemouth 3-1 in their Capital One Cup quarter final tie last night. Fielded in the central role up front for the second successive outing, Raheem Sterling ended his goal drought with a brace, whilst Lazar Markovic also got on the scoresheet after being handed a start as a left wing-back.

The Scout Says: Could last night’s double strike hint at a return to form for Sterling? The youngster is without a league goal since way back in Gameweek 5, but a move to a centre-forward berth in light of Liverpool’s current woes up front could herald a reprise in the 8.3-priced midfielder’s prospects. With Mario Balotelli missing out again last night due to a groin problem and Rickie Lambert seemingly out of favour, Sterling could be set to continue in the advanced role when his side meet Arsenal this weekend, and is certainly one to monitor. Markovic could also blink on a few radars if he can hold off competition for the left wing-back berth, whilst the 6.0-valued Jordan Henderson seems to be adapting well to the role on the opposite flank after notching an assist last night. As the Reds head into a decent run of fixtures, Rodgers’ back-three suggests Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel are the safest options in defence – Dejan Lovren also started last night but was replaced by Mamadou Sakho after sustaining a groin injury.

SPURS TURN ON THE STYLE AGAINST MAGPIES

Tottenham swept aside Newcastle 4-0 in their cup clash at White Hart Lane last night. Nahil Bentaleb capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake to open the scoring before three second half goals, courtesy of Nacer Chadli, Harry Kane and substitute Roberto Soldado, put the match to bed.

The Scout Says: With Burnley and Leicester up next in the league for Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit, a number of their assets are begging for investment right now, and last night’s dominant display will only further their case. Kane has now notched in back-to-back matches in all competitions, and, at 5.1, continues to look outstanding value. His fellow forward Soldado will be optimistic of earning a start against Burnley on Saturday after scoring from the bench, even in spite of Emmanuel Adebayor’s return to action following compassionate leave. Christian Eriksen, meanwhile, furthered his appeal after earning assists for three of Spurs’ four goals against the Magpies, and while his 90-minute outing may have some fearing he could be due for a rest at the weekend, he seems far too important for Pochettino to bench. After a run of sub appearances, Chadli was handed a chance to impress and the Belgian’s strike may well be set to reignite his first-team prospects after falling out of favour in recent weeks.

NEWCASTLE CRUMBLE IN CUP ROUT

With Daryl Janmaat serving his one-match suspension and Papiss Cisse missing out through illness, Newcastle were unable to click into gear at either end of the field against Spurs, and conceded four times for a second consecutive display.

The Scout Says: The defensive solidity evidenced throughout November seems a distant memory for the Magpies. Even with the likes of defensive regulars Fabricio Coloccini, Massadio Haidara and Paul Dummett in the starting line-up, yet another poor rearguard display cost them dearly last night and, as the schedule starts to stiffen, many may move away from their backline. Alan Pardew’s injury situation between the posts heightened last night after third-choice keeper Jak Alnwick sustained a shoulder problem – the Magpies boss may have to field 17-year-old Freddie Woodman in goal this weekend but is set to discuss the situation with the Premier League. Further up the field, the Tynesiders’ reliance on Cisse’s goalscoring is there for all to see – the Senegal striker’s exploits aside, his team-mates have found the net just once in their last five matches in all competitions and Pardew will be desperate for him to recover in time for this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby clash with Sunderland.

CHAMBERLAIN EXPECTED TO RECOVER

Reports suggest that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to be fit for Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool this weekend, despite the midfielder having previously been labelled a major doubt due to the groin injury sustained against Newcastle last time out.

The Scout Says: Yesterday’s news will hand Arsene Wenger a considerable boost, bearing in mind the likes of Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are also out injured. Oxlade-Chamberlain will now be expected to continue in the double-pivot alongside Mathieu Flamini, where he was utilised against the Magpies, hence lessening the likelihood of rotation further up the field. Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck’s spots on the flanks look guaranteed, then, whilst Santi Cazorla should continue in the central attacking midfield role; the 8.1-priced Spaniard has found the back of the net three times in his last two appearances and looks a superb in-form differential right now.

BRUNT IN CONTENTION FOR WEEKEND RETURN

West Brom skipper Chris Brunt could be back for the Baggies’ clash with QPR after missing his side’s last two league fixtures.

The Scout Says: Brunt’s return looks set to place further question marks over the pitch time of Saido Berahino, with the young striker having been dropped to the bench in the Baggies’ last two. The England Under-21 forward hasn’t been fielded up front since Gameweek 14, and has failed to register returns since late October, yet still boasts an ownership of 16%. Alan Irvine opted for Silvestre Varela and Stephen Sessegnon on the flanks and Brown Ideye up front last time out and Brunt’s return may well be set to leave Berahino even further down the pecking order after an ineffectual run of displays.