Scout Mission – Gameweek 34

There’s plenty for us to ponder as our attentions turn to the penultimate double Gameweek of the season. Chelsea’s tactics as the injuries hit hard up front, Leicester’s chief protagonists beyond the double, the three-way battle in Liverpool’s midfield, City’s formation with Wilfried Bony back in the mix and filling the third Arsenal slot are all on our lunchtime agenda.

Jose’s possible false nine set-up….
With Didier Drogba adding to Chelsea’s woes up front by picking up an ankle injury, Jose Mourinho faces a dilemma ahead of the double Gameweek. There’s a real possibility that the Blues could have no experienced strikers available for their upcoming encounters with Arsenal and Leicester, with both Diego Costa and Loic Remy still stuck in the treatment room. As we’ve seen in recent matches, Mourinho has been happy to park the bus and grind out back-to-back 1-0 wins over QPR and United and he’ll likely adopt a false nine system if the injuries fail to ease. The Chelsea boss could turn to Cesc Fabregas in the advanced role, though if he’s looking for a little more pace, could Willian or Juan Cuadrado emerge as the unlikeliest of differentials for the double?

The third Arsenal slot….
A home clash against Chelsea is anything but straightforward but the Gunners – with a win in each of their last nine at the Emirates – have real momentum heading into Sunday’s encounter. Bearing in mind that the Blues could conceivably clinch the title this week by winning both their Gameweek 34 matches, Arsene Wenger’s side will be desperate to burst their visitors’ bubble and chalk up a key victory. With a double Gameweek 37 to consider, Fantasy managers have the chance to scout their midfield alternatives – whilst Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez are already part of many managers’ plans from Gameweek 35 onwards, we’ll be looking to see whether Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil or Santi Cazorla stakes a claim for that third Gunners’ berth.

Kane at fortress St Mary’s….
Perhaps if he’d failed to score at Newcastle last Sunday, our decision would have been easier. Kane rolled up to St James’ Park on the back of three blanks in four but his late strike in the 3-1 win has granted him a stay of execution in our three-man frontlines for the double Gameweek, with only 8,000 FPL managers ditching him this week so far. The Saints have 11 clean sheets in front of their own fans and will be looking to get one over former boss Mauricio Pochettino but if Kane can breach their resilient backline and continue his return to form, he may well cement a place in our plans from here on in.

Leicester’s main men for the run-in….
The upcoming double Gameweek has earned Nigel Pearson’s side unprecedented interest from Fantasy managers as we look to take advantage of their pair of fixtures. Beyond the double, though, Leicester’s schedule offers every reason for optimism (NEW, SOT, sun, QPR), with in-form options from front to back available at a budget price point. Can the Foxes build on their three-match winning momentum and ensure the likes of Jeffrey Schlupp, Esteban Cambiasso and Jamie Vardy stake a claim in our starting XIs for the final four Gameweeks or will our recent trades prove a tad too optimistic?

Monk’s set-up as the goals dry up….
With Bafetimbi Gomis sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Swans boss persevered with his midfield diamond formation away to Leicester. This saw Nelson Oliveira partnering Wayne Routledge up front at the King Power Stadium as Gylfi Sigurdsson once again failed to make an impact in a deep-lying role – it’s a goal and assist since Gameweek 20 for the Icelandic international. A trip to Newcastle offers the Welsh club the perfect opportunity to halt their recent malaise and with calls growing for a return to 4-2-3-1, will Monk unleash Sigurdsson as an attacking force once again or will the playmaker remain mired in central midfield at St James’?

Murray and Bolasie’s chance to make amends….
A home clash with West Brom seemed tailor-made to extend Palace’s winning run to five matches but former boss Tony Pulis clearly failed to read the script. Whilst the Baggies hogged the headlines with a 2-0 triumph, it’s fair to say they were somewhat fortuitous – Alan Pardew’s side fired 19 attempts, with 14 shots inside the box, without success. Both Yannick Bolasie and Glenn Murray were subject to heavy investment last week and were the men most culpable, spurning five opportunities apiece, but the pair can now atone for their lack of returns as Hull roll up to Selhurst Park. Another blank, though, and the pair will surely have an exodus on their hands as the Eagles braces themselves for clashes with Chelsea, United and Liverpool in the subsequent three.

The Liverpool midfield trio….
With Daniel Sturridge rated doubtful due to yet another injury, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho carry the hopes of many Fantasy managers into the double. Henderson – with returns in five of his last six league outings – is the form player, though Coutinho (in a 4-3-3) and Sterling (in a 3-4-2-1) have started as the most advanced central figure in recent matches against Newcastle and Villa respectively. The trio’s tussle for points could prove pivotal to many a mini-league and picking the right one – or two – looks key as the Reds face West Brom and Hull. Coutinho has notched in two of his last three in all competitions yet has acquired 36,000 new suitors to Sterling’s 109,000 and the Brazilian could be shaping up to be a key differential.

Austin’s form as the Hammers roll up….
QPR’s seven goals over double Gameweek 31 served up Fantasy points aplenty before Chelsea ground out a 1-0 win at Loftus Road the following week. With a blank Gameweek 33 now behind them, Chris Ramsey’s side can now focus on attack against a visiting West Ham side with a single clean sheet on their travels. Austin’s 21-point haul over the double has ensured he still sits in over 19% of FPL teams but with back-to-back trips to Liverpool and City up next, he’ll need to produce the points this weekend to persuade owners to hold for now.

Pellegrini’s tactics with Bony back in the frame….
Sergio Aguero has thrived since City’s recent switch to 4-4-1-1. Three goals in the subsequent two league fixtures ended a five-match goalless drought and with his underlying stats also improving, our faith in his prospects for the run-in is on the up. Yesterday’s news that Wilfried Bony has returned to full training threatens to throw a spanner in the works, though, bearing in mind that the Ivorian scored in his last start for the Etihad side before sustaining ankle and knee problems. A switch back to 4-4-2 at home to Villa may well force us to reassess Aguero’s points potential for the final four Gameweeks.

Signs of form at Sunderland ahead of double Gameweek 37….
The hope harvested by a derby win over Newcastle was quickly torn apart after Palace ruthlessly served out a 4-1 thrashing at the Stadium of Light. With his side sitting just one point clear of the drop zone, Dick Advocaat is looking for “at least six points” to clinch survival and a trip to Stoke offers the Black Cats the opportunity to bounce back and potentially bring themselves back into contention as our thoughts turn to double Gameweek 37.

Hull’s chance to prove the doubters wrong….
It’s a sign of our collective lack of belief that only one Hull player – Ahmed Elmohamady – has earned more than 3,000 transfers in ahead of their double. With two points accrued over their last six, it’s easy to see why many have chosen to ignore the Tigers assets, with their appeal lessened further by three tough fixtures (ARS, tot, MUN) in the final four. Nonetheless, Steve Bruce will take some optimism from the recent 3-2 loss to Chelsea – Hull fired 19 shots against the league leaders in that narrow defeat and with Mo Diame likely to return to the first XI, an all-out attacking approach may well spring a few surprises.