The Scout Mission – Gameweek 8

There’s plenty for us to ponder in this evening’s assessment of the Gameweek 9 schedule. Sergio Aguero’s armband appeal against the Magpies, Daniel Sturridge’s momentum in the Merseyside derby and Chelsea’s premium midfielders are on the menu. The likes of Glenn Murray and Rudy Gestede are joined by Newcastle and Sunderland’s attacks as we look for a budget replacement for the stricken Callum Wilson.

Sturridge’s momentum after last week’s brace…
After netting twice against Villa last week, the Liverpool forward is set to be rested for this evening’s Europa League clash with Sion as Brendan Rodgers desperately tries to keep him out of the treatment room. Whilst Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Wayne Rooney have struggled in the premium bracket, Sturridge has wasted no time in settling into his stride as the Reds moved to 3-4-1-2 to accommodate his talents up top. A Merseyside derby trip to Everton affords him another platform to impress and stake a claim for our three-man frontlines.

Aguero at home to the Magpies…
Can last night’s late penalty against Monchengladbach prove the catalyst for a goal rush? Despite scoring just once in the league this season, Aguero is the overwhelming favourite in this week’s Captain Poll ahead of a home clash against struggling Newcastle. As Alexis Sanchez showed last week, our patience in the big hitters can be emphatically rewarded but should he blank again, many may feel it’s time to reassess the 13.2-priced frontman.

Hazard and Pedro against the Saints…
Four home matches in six would typically be the time to load up on Chelsea’s big hitters but this season is proving something of an exception. With Diego Costa still suspended, the Chelsea midfield duo look the best chance of points as Jose Mourinho’s side attempt to bounce back from their Newcastle draw, though with clean sheets in each of their last two road trips, visitors Southampton have stepped up their resilience on the road. Should the Blues stutter again, Hazard and Pedro owners may well re-evaluate their options over the international break.

The Vardy bandwagon…
The Leicester forward has been snapped up by over 300,00 FPL managers after underlining his fixture-proof appeal with a double at home to Arsenal. Vardy – who, it transpires, played with a broken wrist last weekend – has already risen 0.2 this week and sits in 20% of FPL sides after blanking just once in the first seven matches under Claudio Ranieri. A trip to Norwich strengthens his chances of maintaining that run and with the Foxes’ schedule remaining kind until Gameweek 14, the Vardy bandwagon could roll on if he delivers again at Carrow Road.

Lamela as a differential…
Handed a second straight start at home to City last week, the Argentine was instrumental in guiding Spurs to a stunning 4-1 win, courtesy of a goal and assist. With Heung-Min Son sidelined due to a foot injury, Lamela – who has opened the scoring in this evening’s clash with Monaco – looks in line for another spot in the first XI as Mauricio Pochettino’s team roll up to the Liberty seeking a fourth successive victory. Will Lamela finally justify that £30m outlay to Roma and emerge as a real mid-price midfield option or will Saturday’s showing prove no more than a false dawn?

…and Deulofeu..
The early-season exploits of Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku have not gone un-noticed, with both players sitting in over 20% of FPL teams. As our thoughts start to turn towards Everton ahead of a superb run from Gameweek 11 onwards, Gerard Deulofeu’s display at the Hawthorns last Monday could bring the young Spaniard into contention. Handed his first league start of the season by Roberto Martinez, the 6.2-priced midfielder delivered two assists and a pair of bonus points as the Toffees emerged from the Hawthorns victorious and with an ownership of just 0.2%, he could be one to monitor if he keeps Arouna Kone on the bench again.

Newcastle’s main men before the schedule turns kind…
A switch to 4-4-2 transformed the Magpies stuttering attack and saw them score twice at home to Chelsea last week. With the schedule set to turn kind from Gameweek 9 onwards, Steve McClaren’s side have the chance to play their way into Fantasy managers’ plans against a City backline that’s shipped six goals in the last two. Last week’s front two Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic, along with Georginio Wijnaldum and Daryl Janmaat could offer options right across the board if McClaren can build on their draw against the champions.

…and Sunderland’s…
Just like their north-east neighbours, the Black Cats’ schedule offers a silver lining to their dire start. After seeing his side blank in each of the last three, Dick Advocaat is eyeing up a two-man frontline at home to the Hammers in an attempt to steer Sunderland out of the basement. In spite of their recent toils, the Black Cats did score six times in the first four fixtures, and Jeremain Lens, Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe may yet prove value for money if the Wearsiders can find an edge to their play in the final third.

Murray’s chance with Wilson sidelined…
With top scorer Callum Wilson ruled out for over six months due to a knee injury, Glenn Murray looks in line to be handed his first start of the season for Bournemouth. The veteran racked up seven goals and five assists in under 900 minutes for Palace last term and clearly has the top-flight know-how to boost the Cherries’ survival bid. At 5.6, Murray has a home clash with Watford to fire himself onto our radars as a valid budget option.

Myhill and McCarthy’s minutes at Selhurst Park…
After a run of four clean sheets in five, the West Brom stopper was partly to blame for Monday evening’s home loss as Everton put three past Tony Pulis’ side. Myhill has proven a solid source of points in recent outings but with Anders Lindegaard waiting in the wings, will Tony Pulis be tempted to make a change as his side pay visit to Palace? Similarly, Alex McCarthy’s owners are on red alert after he was dropped for the Eagles’ trip to Watford. Given that Alan Pardew’s men registered their first shut-out of the season, Wayne Hennessey may well be in the driving seat now – more bench-warming duties for McCarthy will force his 10% owners to reconsider their options.

Gestede as a budget option…
The Benin international looks to have played his way back into Tim Sherwood’s first-team plans by bagging a brace in last week’s loss at Liverpool. Having also netted the cup winner against Birmingham, Gestede’s eye for goal will be crucial as Villa look for a first win since Gameweek 1 at home to Stoke. As the search for a Callum Wilson replacement intensifies, can he throw his hat into the ring as a low-cost differential?

Gomis’ minutes…
Partnered by Andre Ayew up top away to Southampton last week, the Frenchman was hauled off at the break for Eder as Garry Monk moved back to 4-2-3-1. After a blistering start that saw him score in each of the first four Gameweeks, Gomis has now served up three successive blanks for his 23% owners ahead of four home matches in six. If Monk continues to restrict his pitch time, though, it may be time to move on.