Scout Scribbles – Coutinho Back in Training

Philippe Coutinho returns to training for Liverpool. Ross Barkley notches the opener as England sweep aside Lithuania. Julian Speroni continues his recovery with a run out for Palace reserves, whilst Austria’s Marko Arnautovic is amongst the goals again.

Injury Boost for Klopp

Philippe Coutinho looks likely to be passed fit for Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 8, after returning to training in Jurgen Klopp’s first day at the helm. The playmaker, who had recently withdrawn from Brazil duties due to a knock, was joined by Dejan Lovren, who has made a quick recovery from an ankle injury.

The Scout Says: Unlike Alexis Sanchez – who snapped his barren spell with five goals in two outings – Coutinho has failed to convert his wealth of shooting opportunities into Fantasy returns. Sanchez is the only midfielder to amass more attempts (41) than the Brazilian (38) this term, but, with over half of Coutinho’s strikes (20) coming from outside the box, he has found the net just once. Shifted to the role in “the hole” in Gameweek 6, the playmaker has fired 20 efforts in three appearances, suggesting Jurgen Klopp will be keen to retain him in a central area in Liverpool’s likely 4-2-3-1 formation under the German. Although the upcoming schedule is littered with tough match-ups through to November (tot, SOT, che, CRY, mci, SWA), the potential impact of Klopp’s arrival perhaps encourages Coutinho’s 14% ownership to hold tight. Lovren was initially expected to be out for two months but his speedy recovery could afford the Croatian a chance to impress the new manager. Once fully fit, the former Southampton man may well get the nod at centre-half, given that Klopp’s preference for a high defensive line and pressing system is similar to Lovren’s previous experience at St Mary’s.

Barkley Impresses for Three Lions

Having supplied an assist for Theo Walcott in England’s clash with Estonia on Friday, Ross Barkley continued his fine recent form by opening the scoring in a 3-0 win over Lithuania with a deflected effort from outside the area.

The Scout Says: Putting the fortuitous nature of his goal aside, Barkley once again conducted the Three Lions’ midfield with poise and invention, strengthening his case for a regular starting berth in Roy Hodgson’s first-choice XI. The Liverpool-born midfielder kicked off the league campaign with two goals in as many starts but has since failed to net in six consecutive matches. Despite chalking up 16 shots over that period, Barkley managed just three shots inside the box – as few as budget fodder Victory Wanyama and Ashley Westwood – which might deter prospective investors ahead of a challenging pair of fixtures (MUN, ars). Beyond Gameweek 11, however, Everton enjoy a procession of favourable ties, thrusting Barkley into the forefront of our thinking.

Oxlade-Chamberlain in the Goals

Handed a role on the England right at the expense of rested Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rifled a shot into the top corner to net the Three Lions’ third in a 3-0 win over Lithuania.

The Scout Says: Despite impressing in pre-season and scoring the Community Shield winner over Chelsea, Oxlade-Chamberlain has subsequently fallen out of the domestic picture for the Gunners. The winger hasn’t started in the league since Gameweek 4, with Aaron Ramsey preferred on the right flank in Arsene Wenger’s chosen 4-2-3-1 set-up, despite the Welshman’s failure to play a part in any of the Gunners’ 13 goals so far. Having witnessed his side squander chances at an unparalleled rate through the opening six Gameweeks, Wenger will be delighted at the fact that the Gunners ranked top for goals (eight) and shot-conversion rate (20.5%) across the past two Gameweeks and will be reluctant to make any unnecessary changes for the weekend trip to Watford. The Vicarage Road side have conceded just one goal at home so far, though, having surrendered just 23 shots inside the box during a quartet of encounters in front of their own supporters.

Arnautovic Strikes Again

Marko Arnautovic inadvertently netted for Austria during their 3-0 win against Liechtenstein, after an attempted interception cannoned of his ankle and arrowed into the bottom corner. Elsewhere amongst the Stoke midfielders, Xherdan Shaqiri marked his recovery from a hamstring problem with a 45-minute run out for Switzerland.

The Scout Says: There was a huge element of luck to Arnautovic’s second goal in as many outings for Austria, yet the way he fashioned the chance was sublime – Stoke City’s in-form winger bamboozled his marker with some silky footwork on the left wing, before driving inside the box and forcing a response. Arnautovic carded just one goal last season but has already doubled that tally this campaign and looks hungry for further attacking returns. Implored by Mark Hughes to improve his scoring rate, the 6.0-priced midfielder could serve as profitable differential over the Potters’ next three match-ups (swa, WAT, new). Shaqiri’s return to fitness could spell the end of Jon Walters’ run of starts for the Potters. The Republic of Ireland man has scored in two of the last three Gameweeks but with Bojan also back in contention, it remains to be seen whether he can retain his role in Mark Hughes’ first XI.

Spurs Pair Earn Assists

Harry Kane picked up an assist after teeing up Barkley for England’s opener, whilst Kyle Walker claimed the assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s effort with a well-weighted through ball.

The Scout Says: Kane has so far served up 11 key passes in the top-flight this term – only Jamie Vardy (12) has managed more amongst forwards. A failure to score last night continues his struggles in front of goal, yet the Spurs man has still shown plenty of threat – he’s level with Vardy for attempts (28), with only Sergio Aguero and Graziano Pelle firing more shots. Walker, meanwhile, offers a reliable route into a defence that has conceded only seven goals in eight outings under Mauricio Pochettino. The 5.2-priced Eric Dier – who is suspended for the weekend visit of Liverpool – remains the most alluring option, given that he’s already scored twice in his new central midfield role, though Ben Davies (4.5) has now started seven of the first eight Gameweeks ahead of Danny Rose at left-back. With match-ups against Liverpool Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea in the next six, though, Spurs may find it difficult to earn returns at either end of the pitch, with only clashes against Bournemouth and Villa looking promising in the short-term.

Speroni Handed Another Reserves Outing

Julian Speroni stepped up his rehabilitation from a hand injury with a 90-minute run-out for Crystal Palace’s U21 outfit yesterday afternoon.

The Scout Says: Nearly 12,000 Fantasy managers recruited the 3.9-priced Wayne Hennessey prior to Gameweek 8, given that the Wales international edged ahead of Alex McCarthy in the pecking order. Although Speroni will hope to eventually reclaim a starting berth on his return to full fitness, the fact that the Eagles boast consecutive clean sheets as a result of Hennessey’s installation will give Alan Pardew food for thought. Sustaining that shut-out streak is a tall order as Palace prepare to face off against West Ham and Leicester – the two sides tied second for goals scored (17) this campaign. Nonetheless, Damien Delaney and Joel Ward could bolster their back line for a home tie against the Hammers this weekend, having recently returned to training.

Mbemba Wins it for Congo

The Newcastle centre-half played a key part in DR Congo’s win over Gabon yesterday, firing home a late effort to hand the Leopards a 2-1 victory.

The Scout Says: Mbemba’s strike served a reminder of the eye for goal that saw him net three times in his final season for former club Anderlecht last term. At a price of 5.0 in FPL, though, he’s the most expensive option for Newcastle ahead of a kind run of fixtures (NOR, sun, STO, bou, LEI, cpl) which could finally see Steve McClaren’s outfit find their way onto some Fantasy radars. With Tim Krul’s season-ending injury affording the 4.0-priced Rob Elliot a chance between the posts, though, and Daryl Janmaat – providing he recovers from a knee knock – impressing down the right with six attempts on target in his last four appearances, Mbemba is likely to struggle for any Fantasy attention.