Scout Mission – Gameweek 36

Our thoughts turn to the upcoming round of fixtures once again this Thursday lunchtime. Christian Benteke’s momentum at home to the Hammers, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla’s chance to impress before the double, Jose Mourinho’s starting line-up and Harry Kane’s output at the Britannia are all amongst todays topics.

The Benteke bandwagon…
After ending Everton’s six-match unbeaten record with a 13-point haul last weekend, the Villa forward has been subject to major interest. In spite of Arsenal’s imminent double, many have made Benteke their priority this week –almost 80,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have snapped him up ahead of home clashes with West Ham and Burnley in the final three rounds of fixtures. With three double-figure hauls in his last four at Villa Park, many may even be tempted to hand him the armband ahead of Sergio Aguero this weekend, given the Hammers have two away clean sheets all season.

Jose’s teamsheet with the title now in the bag…
As mentioned in Scribbles earlier this morning, Eden Hazard’s midweek holiday suggests that Jose Mourinho is allowing his main men some leeway now that the title is in the bag. With his side still unbeaten at home this season, it’s debatable whether the Blues boss will ring the changes as Liverpool roll up on Sunday but if there’s any signs of rest and rotation this weekend, we could have a major Chelsea exodus on the cards. For many, getting rid of Hazard would be the obvious route to affording Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal’s double but bearing in mind the Belgian has started every league match so far, few will be willing to take that chance right now.

Ozil and Cazorla’s showing…
Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey strengthened their claim for a place in our double Gameweek 37 plans after both delivered double-figures in the 3-1 win. A home clash against Swansea hands the other two big-hitters in the Arsenal midfield, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil, an opportunity to throw their hats in the ring as we restructure our midfields for the final two rounds of fixtures. With slight doubts over Ramsey’s availability, Cazorla has earned more transfers in than the Welshman this week despite returning just an assist at the KC, though Ozil, with a mere 3% ownership, has the chance to shake things up. The German has four double-figure hauls in his last six at the Emirates and with three home matches left to play, could prove the ultimate differential.

Silva’s form at home to the R’s…
With two assists in the last five Gameweeks, the City playmaker is living on borrowed time in many teams right now. Silva’s output has diminished as a result of a switch to 4-4-1-1, with Sergio Aguero the main beneficiary of Manuel Pellegrini’s tactical tweak, though a home clash with QPR will surely persuade his 19% owners to hold for now. Another blank against Chris Ramsey’s strugglers, though, and the Spaniard looks an obvious contender for the axe as we look to free up cash for Arsenal’s main men next week.

Kane at the Britannia…
It’s a single goal in five appearances now for the Spurs frontman as his season grinds to a spectacular halt. Kane, nonetheless, has been afforded plenty of opportunities to find the net – only Sergio Aguero and Jamie Vardy have fired more attempts over that period. Second only to Charlie Austin for transfers out this week amongst forwards, Kane is up against a Stoke side without a clean sheet in the last seven Gameweeks – can he return to form or will his recent malaise continue and persuade more to pull the trigger next week?

Leicester versus the travel-sick Saints…
A 3-0 win over Newcastle underlined Leicester’s Fantasy potential as Nigel Pearson’s side chalked up a fifth win in six. With their survival still very much on the line, though, the Foxes can ill-afford to take their foot off the gas and fielding their main men in our starting XIs remains very much a viable tactic right now. Those holding the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan, Marc Albrighton, Jamie Vardy and/or Leonardo Ulloa will be looking for further joy as Leicester play host to a Saints side that have taken a single point from their last five road trips.

Cisse against the Baggies backline…
After finally serving the last of his seven-match suspension, Papiss Cisse returns just in time to potentially save Newcastle’s ailing season. With 11 goals in just 18 appearances, the Senegal international has been sorely missed as his side slip ominously towards the bottom three, with John Carver struggling to cope with his promotion to the hotseat. Cisse may find it difficult to get back on track, though. Visitors West Brom know a win will seal their own survival and, having racked up three successive clean sheets, including a vital victory at Old Trafford, could be set to heap further misery on the Magpies.

Sunderland’s last chance to impress before the double…
A trip to Everton is hardly the easiest fixture for Dick Advocaat’s side. Given that the Toffees have racked up four successive Goodison clean sheets, Sunderland face a tough task to convince us of investing in their pair of Gameweek 37 fixtures. Jordi Gomez threw his hat into the ring with a pair of penalties last time out, while Advocaat’s decision to shift from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and move Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe out of the middle onto the flanks against Southampton last weekend has hardly helped our planning.

N’Doye against the Clarets…
With just a single goal in their last nine matches, Burnley now stand on the brink. Defeat to Hull at the KC will condemn Sean Dyche’s side to Championship football once again and if they are to stand any chance of survival, now’s the time to take risks. Such an approach should play into the hands of Dame N’Doye, in particular, as Steve Bruce’s side look to bounce back from Monday’s loss to Arsenal and register a third win in four. The Senegal striker’s brace at Palace in double Gameweek 34 served a reminder of his talents and those managers who invested in his services for those two matches will be more than willing to hold for this weekend before assessing their options up front.