Scout Scribbles – Coutinho Fires Liverpool into Last Four

Philippe Coutinho’s winner helps Liverpool into the FA Cup semi-finals and will result in a double Gameweek further down the line. Reports suggest Diego Costa could be back for the first match of Chelsea’s double, Cesc Fabregas is expected to feature for Chelsea’s trip to QPR despite undergoing nose surgery, whilst Robin van Persie returns to full training for United.

Reds poised for double after FA Cup win

Brendan Rodgers’ men secured a narrow win over their Championship opponents Blackburn courtesy of a goal from Philippe Coutinho in the 70th minute. The Liverpool manager fielded a strong side at Ewood Park, with Daniel Sturridge spearheading the attack for 85 minutes following a minor setback during the international break. The Reds’ progress through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup means their Gameweek 33 visit to Hull will have to be rescheduled, setting up a potential double in either Gameweek 34 or 37. Hull confirmed last night they expect to announce a new date this morning.

The Scout Says: This means we now have six teams without a fixture in Gameweek 33, with the likes of Arsenal, Sunderland, QPR and Villa also missing out. From a Fantasy perspective, last night’s result at least affords us a chance of a bumper double Gameweek to prepare for, given that the previous two – in Gameweek 28 and 31 – benefitted only two teams on each occasion. With Chelsea and Leicester handed a pair of fixtures in Gameweek 34 and Arsenal and Sunderland playing twice in Gameweek 37, Fantasy managers will perhaps be hoping for the Reds’ double to fall into the latter week – this would see them host Palace and travel to Hull, whereas a Gameweek 34 double would see them travel to West Brom before making their way to the KC. With showdowns against Newcastle, QPR and Stoke also on their schedule before the end of the season, Rodgers’ men will surely find themselves on our radars before long.

Costa targeting return for Gunners duel

After suffering a fresh hamstring injury when introduced in the second half of Chelsea’s clash with Stoke City, Diego Costa has been ruled out of their home tie against Manchester United in Gameweek 33. Reports indicate that the player is optimistic that he will play some part in a trip to Arsenal eight days later.

The Scout Says: Given that Jose Mourinho took a reasoned but ultimately ill-fated risk reinstating Costa so early after he sustained a hamstring knock on international duty, it seems unlikely that – even if passed fit – the former Atletico Madrid marksman will start against the Gunners. With two goals and an assist in Chelsea’s previous two encounters, the 10.9-priced forward was arguably an essential pick for their imminent double Gameweek 34 (ars, lei); yet with doubts over his availability for the first of these match-ups, the dynamic changes entirely. In Costa’s absence, Loic Remy (7.1) looks like the obvious replacement – having netted the winners in his previous two outings, the France international is favoured to be given the nod over Dider Drogba. Beyond that, the stock of Costa’s high-priced stablemates (Daniel Sturridge and Sergio Aguero) has risen in response to his latest setback – indeed, Aguero’s 24% ownership have been afforded the luxury to wait a little longer for the Argentinian to rediscover his form with one less big-hitter demanding attention. Sturridge will surely be set for extra attention once Liverpool’s double Gameweek is confirmed, though.

Fabregas expected to be available for Hoops clash

The Spanish playmaker has undergone surgery on a broken nose in Milan ahead of the weekend derby with QPR. Fabregas sustained the injury after being unintentionally struck by Charlie Adam’s flailing forearm during Chelsea’s clash with Stoke last weekend.

The Scout Says: Despite the surgery, Fabregas is expected to wear a protective mask and be available for the Blues’ visit to Queens Park Rangers this Sunday. In the last two Gameweeks, the former Arsenal midfielder silenced critics that questioned a drop off in attacking returns, recording back-to-back assists in ties against Hull City and the Potters. Fabregas’ form is of heightened interest in light of Costa’s injury – priced at 9.2 and having delivered a goal or an assist in 18 of his 28 appearances for the Blues, he will be on the radar of many Fantasy managers as a third option for Chelsea coverage alongside dead-cert Eden Hazard and one of Branislav Ivanovic (7.6) or Loic Remy. As a potentially beneficial byproduct of missing the R’s encounter, Fabregas would at least be unable to pick up his 10^th yellow of the season in the fixture before the limit is increased to 15 – a booking at Loftus Road would rule him out of matches against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Jedinak faces fight for starting berth

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew insists that club captain Mile Jedinak is not guaranteed to earn a start against Sunderland on his return from a four-match suspension:

“He’s been frustrated he hasn’t been involved lately – he played well for Australia in the international break and scored. He will come straight into contention at Sunderland but whether he’ll start, I don’t know.”

The Scout Says: Due to a combination of his involvement with Australia in the Asian Cup and suspension, Jedinak has only started one of the Eagles’ previous 12 matches. Palace have performed particularly well over their last three fixtures in his absence, retaining the same attacking quartet backed by Joe Ledley and James McArthur in the double-pivot. Coming off the back of an historic win over Manchester City last Sunday, Pardew will be loath to tinker with a winning formula and formation (4-2-3-1) that’s served them so well. Nonetheless, Jedinak remains Palace’s joint-top scorer in the league (five) despite a lengthy break from action and, if he fails to displace the likes of Ledley in the XI, offers the former Newcastle head coach a strong option off the bench. With Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie offering in-form alternatives under Pardew’s guidance, though, it’s fair to say that the Australian’s appeal has all but dissolved.

Van Persie back in training

Robin Van Persie is nearing a return for Manchester United after being reintegrated into Louis van Gaal’s training group.

The Scout Says: Van Persie faces a tough task to fight his way back into United’s first-team plans. The Dutchman started all but two of the opening 26 Gameweeks but in his absence, the Red Devils have won five successive matches and climbed to within a point of second place. Van Gaal’s decision to switch to a 4-3-3 and shift Wayne Rooney up top has seen his captain score four times in recent matches and allowed the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera to flourish in the centre of the park. Given that United have only conceded twice over that run, it seems Van Gaal has found a far better balance without his compatriot on board– strengthening the notion that Van Persie is no longer a guaranteed starter.