Scout Notes – Gameweek 33 – Sunday

Sergio Aguero is amongst the goals as City sweep aside West Ham, with Jesus Navas providing a pair of assists in the 2-0 win. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen both find the net as Spurs return to winning ways, whilst Christian Benteke’s goal-getting form helps clinch Villa a place in the FA Cup Final, as Liverpool fail to impress ahead of their double Gameweek 34.

Kane leaves it late against floundering Magpies

Harry Kane netted his 20^th league goal of the season – and drew level with Sergio Aguero atop the scoring leaderboard – as Tottenham Hotspur recorded a 3-1 victory over John Carver’s struggling Newcastle United outfit. The England international registered for the first time in three matches, having not previously drawn consecutive blanks since Gameweek 14.

In light of Kane’s return to the scoresheet, his 50% ownership will likely be confident in retaining the striker’s services for the remainder of the campaign. Although the Lilywhites weekend trip to St Mary’s looks tricky, given that the Saints have 11 home clean sheets, their final four matches (MCI, sto, HUL, eve) bode well for further returns, with Kane’s recent braces against Chelsea and Arsenal underlining his fixture-proof appeal.

Christian Eriksen (8.3) snapped a nine-match goalless streak when his cross from a free-kick evaded everyone and nestled into the bottom corner – causing the 19,000 Fantasy managers that shipped him out this Gameweek to rue their decision. Nonetheless, with a double for Chelsea and Liverpool on the cards next Gameweek, Eriksen looks poised for a major exodus this week – indeed, over 26,000 FPL managers have already parted company in spite of his weekend strike.

Nacer Chadli also reaffirmed his finishing prowess at St James’ Park, curling in a 25-yard opener for the hosts all of his own making. The 6.2-priced midfielder now has nine goals this campaign and remains a tempting alternative for Tottenham coverage beyond Kane and Eriksen, though in all honesty, few will be looking to invest in Spurs’ midfield at a time where our focus in very much on double Gameweeks 34 and 37.

Danny Rose was forced off in the 81^st minute with a hamstring strain, making the much-improved Spurs left-back a doubt for the Saints clash on Saturday.

The Magpies slumped to their sixth successive defeat in Gameweek 33, scoring for only the second time in six league ties. Jack Colback tallied his fourth goal of the season, with the hosts managing just five shots on target throughout the counter. Notwithstanding Newcastle’s recent travails, their run-in comprises of five agreeable fixtures (SWA, lei, WBA, qpr, WHU) –  which offers hope that Carver can arrest their losing streak, with his side’s latest loss dragging them into the relegation dog-fight.

Aguero builds momentum in routine win

In the wake of his brace against rivals Manchester United last time out, Sergio Aguero notched a third goal in two outings as the Sky Blues recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham United. Considering Diego Costa and Daniel Sturridge are both currently suffering from knocks, Aguero’s return to form renders him the prime pick among the high-priced forwards, with Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to retain a lone striker system proving crucial to his recent output.

City now embark on a favourable quintet of league clashes to close out the season, which includes three enticing home ties (AVL, QPR, SOU). Furthermore, a trip to Tottenham in Gameweek 35 will have Aguero licking his lips, given that the league’s joint-top scorer has bagged seven goals in City’s last three matches against the North London club.

There were initital fears that David Silva had broken his cheekbone following a collision with Hammers enforcer Cheikhou Kouyate 16 minutes from time. However, the former Valencia midfielder was discharged from hospital later that day after being given the all-clear by the doctors.

Jesus Navas grabbed the assists for both of City’s goals, with the first being an own goal from centre-back James Collins, who diverted an attempted headed clearance over a back-pedalling Adrian. Despite Navas’ 12-points haul, the 7.2-priced winger’s non-existent goal threat limits his appeal in the coming weeks.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini named four changes for West Ham’s visit, with Eliaquim Mangala and Aleksandar Kolarov coming in for the injured Vincent Kompany and Gael Clichy as the champions earned a fourth successive home clean sheet.

Sam Allardyce’s men have just two wins in 12 to their name following the defeat to City, following another fruitless afternoon from an attacking standpoint. A tally of seven goals in the last 11 Gameweeks brings to light the Irons’ faltering forward line, with forwards Enner Valencia and Diafro Sakho combining for just five goals since Gameweek 11.

Coutinho nets consolation goal as Reds crash out

Philippe Coutinho underlined his scoring potential ahead of Liverpool’s double Gameweek, netting the opener against Aston Villa as the Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat in their FA cup semi-final. The Brazilian midfielder – 7.8 in FPL – is without a goal in five league ties, yet his performance at Wembley could lure some managers away from the in-form Jordan Henderson (6.7) and/or Raheem Sterling.

Sterling bagged the assist for Coutinho’s strike yet proved ineffectual against an organised Villains outfit, fashioning just one (off target) attempt throughout the 90 minutes as the lone striker in a 3-4-2-1 set-up. Daniel Sturridge’s absence from the matchday squad casts real doubts over his minutes for Liverpool’s double and suggests that if Brendan Rodgers continues with yesterday’s formation, Sterling looks the likeliest to lead the line ahead of the clashes with West Brom and Hull.

Brilliant Benteke leads Villa to cup final

Christian Benteke’s side-footed finish past Simon Mignolet served to further highlight the Belgian marksman’s red-hot form of late. Benteke (7.5) has notched eight goals in his previous six league ties yet still sits at a surprisingly low 2.8% ownership. Potential investors may well hold off on recruiting the imposing frontman until after Villa travel to Manchester City next weekend, given that the West Midlanders’ schedule turns a lot kinder from Gameweek 35 onwards (EVE, WHU, sou, BUR). With their confidence on the up in light of recent results, Tim Sherwood’s side look poised for a strong finish as they look to clinch survival and build momentum ahead of their Wembley final at the end of next month.