In light of recent events, England and France’s show of Wembley solidarity understandably took centre stage on a busy day of international football. The likes of Gerard Deulofeu, Riyad Mahrez and Wayne Rooney were all amongst the goals yesterday, though the latter’s United team-mate Anthony Martial is an early weekend doubt after sustaining a foot injury in Les Bleus’ 2-0 loss.
Deulofeu at the Double
Gerard Deulofeu was in the goals once again last night. The Everton youngster bagged a brace for Spain U21s en route to a 3-2 win over Croatia – the first arrived from a spot-kick in the first half, while the second was facilitated by some calamitous goalkeeping.
The Scout Says: Once maligned for his lack of end product, Deulofeu is now firing on all cylinders. The La Masia graduate has netted five goals for his country over the international break and boasts superb form in the league (one goal and four assists in three outings). As Fantasy managers look to capitalise on Everton’s excellent schedule (AVL, bou, CRY, nor, LEI, new, STO), Deulofeu looks the in-form alternative to Ross Barkley – who’s bagged just one goal in seven starts. Moreover, he comes in at 0.6 cheaper than the Englishman, which is all the more pertinent as we prepare for Sergio Aguero’s return.
Mahrez Notches in Algeria Romp
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez maintained his super start to the season after recording a goal and assist during Algeria’s 7-0 dismantlement of Tanzania.
The Scout Says: Mahrez has drawn just three blanks in 11 outings, which included a 45-minute run-out in Gameweek 4 that was curtailed due to injury. Looking at his recent output, the Algerian winger carded two goals and as many assists in his previous four starts and registered some strong underlying statistics (11 attempts, seven shots inside the box, four shots on target, six key passes) during that period. With doubts still remaining over Jamie Vardy’s availability for the weekend, Mahrez’ 58% ownership will be optimistic at the prospect of further attacking returns when Leicester make the trip to Newcastle on Saturday, given that the Magpies rank joint-second for goals conceded (13) over the last six Gameweeks.
Mixed News for United Strike Pair
Wayne Rooney doubled England’s advantage over France with a back-post volley and laid on the assist for Dele Alli’s opener in a 2-0 win over Les Bleus at Wembley last night. Meanwhile, Anthony Martial left the stadium on crutches after being substituted at the 67-minute mark because of an ankle complaint. In his post-match interview, France manager Didier Deschamps revealed:
“He is feeling quite a bit of pain… but I think it is just a knock to the top of his foot.”
The Scout Says: Rooney’s strike at Wembley will doubtless serve as a confidence boost ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Watford, but it’s hard to drum up enthusiasm for a player that’s produced just two goals and an assist throughout this league campaign. Over the last four Gameweeks, the Red Devils frontman notched just four shots inside the box – for comparison’s sake, Olivier Giroud amassed 16 in 61 minutes less. Louis van Gaal’s decision to afford Anthony Martial the lone-striker berth against West Bromwich Albion (forcing Rooney to operate from the number ten slot) bolstered his chances of attacking returns after a stint on the left flank. Undercutting Rooney by 2.1, the France international will shoot back onto our radars if he can accelerate his attacking influence (five attempts in his last four starts) and capitalise on a strong run of match-ups (wat, lei, WHU, bou, NOR, sto) – assuming, of course, that he’s passed fit for the Hornets clash. Should he be ruled out, Martial’s patient 20% ownership may decide it’s time to part company with a player who has managed just two assists in the last six Gameweeks.
Sterling Earns Three Lions assist
Raheem Sterling ensured he remained in our Fantasy thoughts after delivering the cross for Rooney’s goal against Didier Deschamps’ men at Wembley.
The Scout Says: Since scoring a hat-trick against Bournemouth in Gameweek 9, Sterling has drawn three blanks while contending with a niggling hamstring knock. Although he clocked just 182 minutes over that stretch, none of Man City’s midfield contingent managed more shots inside the box (five). Although he’s considerably cheaper than Kevin De Bruyne, (8.9 to 10.7) Sterling’s points per game (4.8) average is poorer than any of City’s pricey midfielders, with David Silva leading the way on 6.8. Indeed, the Spaniard is pushing for a return to action this weekend and, owned by just 4% of FPL managers, he looks a major differential ahead of four home matches in six.
Ayew Nets in Ghana Win
Villa’s Jordan Ayew continued his goal-getting form by scoring Ghana’s second in a 2-0 win over Comoros.
The Scout Says: Allied with his two goals in three league outings for Aston Villa, Ayew’s strike for Ghana illuminates his fine recent showings. With fellow forward Rudy Gestede rated a doubt for the weekend, the 5.5-priced Ayew is well placed to cement a regular starting berth under new boss Remi Garde, who fielded him through the middle in Gameweek 12’s goalless draw with Man City. Given that Ayew is competing with the likes of Odion Ighalo (three goals in five) and Ayoze Perez (three goals in six) in his price bracket, it’s hard to make a case for the ex-Lorient man ahead of Villa’s tricky schedule (eve, WAT, sou, ARS).
Palace Pair in the Goals
Palace midfielder Bakary Sako netted for Mali in a 2-0 victory over Botswana, whilst his domestic team-mate Mile Jedinak headed home the fourth goal during Australia’s 4-0 drubbing of Bangladesh.
The Scout Says: Wilfried Zaha’s resurgence has consigned Sako to a rotation role at Crystal Palace, stripping him of his viability as a low-priced midfielder of late. Considering Jason Puncheon’s paucity of attacking returns (zero in last nine outings), Yohan Cabaye (four goals and one assist) and Yannick Bolasie (two goals in five outings) are the two prime targets in terms of Eagles coverage, and whilst the former benefits from penalty duties and a share of their free-kicks, he’s just one booking shy of a single-match ban right now. With back-to-back home ties against Sunderland and Newcastle United on the horizon, Bolasie – who scored in both DR Congo’s recent matches – is emerging as the strongest candidate from the Eagles’ midfield.
Willian Grabs Assist in Brazil Victory
Chelsea’s in-form Willian again caught the eye after setting up Douglas Costa for Brazil’s opener against Peru with a sublime low cross. Willian was replace by Blues team-mate Oscar with five minutes remaining, whilst City’s Fernandinho was afforded 12 minutes off the bench in the second period.
The Scout Says: Although Willian has arguably been Chelsea’s top performer this season, Fantasy managers will need more than the Brazilian’s set-piece prowess (two free-kick goals in the league) to persuade them to invest. In the last four Gameweeks, Willian tallied just five attempts (two inside the box), despite squaring off against the likes of Aston Villa and Stoke City. That being said, those willing to take a punt on the 6.9-priced livewire could be rewarded in light of the Blues’ agreeable schedule through to Gameweek 19 (NOR, tot, BOU, lei, SUN, WAT)
Mane Bags Senegal Assist
Southampton wide man Sadio Mane claimed an assist as Senegal ran out 3-0 victors against Madagascar.
The Scout Says: There were doubts regarding Mane’s fitness prior to Senegal’s double-header with Madagascar, but the Saints winger went on to register one goal and two assists in the past week. Mane netted once in the last four Gameweeks but threatened to score more, considering that Sterling (10) was the only midfielder to accrue a greater volume of shots inside the box (eight) during that time frame. A home tie against Stoke City looks good on paper, yet the Potters are in the midst of an impressive run that includes a three-match unbeaten streak (two wins, one draw, zero goals conceded) on the road. In addition, Mark Hughes’ men recorded shut-outs in four of their last five fixtures, which suggests that Southampton’s attacking assets are in for an attritional afternoon.
Good News For Swans Midfielders
Ki Sung-yeung grabbed a brace for South Korea in a 5-0 victory against Laos, while Jefferson Montero picked up a goal and an assist as Ecuador beat Venezuela by three goals to one. Rounding off the trio of Swansea midfielders, Andre Ayew was passed fit for Ghana and completed the full 90 minutes against Comoros after recovering from a minor knee problem.
The Scout Says: Ki emerged as a budget differential last season by way of his eight goals and one assist, but the 5.1-priced playmaker is yet to register any attacking returns this term. Since reclaiming a starting berth from Jack Cork in Gameweek 10, the South Korea international has fired off just one attempt, underlining his limited Fantasy potential. Although Ayew scored last month at Aston Villa, his goal threat has diminished greatly of late: in the last four Gameweeks, he’s managed a paltry three attempts. Nonetheless, the Swans enjoy a quartet of favourable home match-ups (BOU, LEI, WHU, WBA) in the next six Gameweeks, offering incentive for Ayew’s 18% ownership to sit tight.
Diouf Scores in Senegal Win
Mame Biram Diouf broke free from Madagascar’s centre-backs and delivered a clinical finish to cement Senegal’s win over Madagascar.
The Scout Says: Diouf returned from injury last time out against Chelsea but had to settle for a spot on the substitute’s bench in the 1-0 home win. Jonathan Walters – who steered Ireland into Euro 2016 with an inspired brace on Monday – currently occupies the lone-striker berth and ranks top among midfielders for shots inside the box (seven) across the previous two Gameweeks, presenting us with a 5.8-priced out-of-position midfield option. Although Diouf is also comfortable playing off the right flank in Mark Hughes’ favoured 4-2-3-1 set-up, the form of Stoke’s supporting trio will likely restrict his starts for the time being, whilst Walters’ output for Ireland earlier in the week suggests he may have to settle for bench-warming duties for the weekend trip to St Mary’s.
Tottenham Midfielders Impress
Son Heung-Min bagged a brace for South Korea, Dele Alli netted a thunderous debut goal for the Three Lions, and Christian Eriksen earned an assist for Denmark during a 2-2 draw with Sweden. Having made his return from injury with Algeria last week, Nabil Bentaleb was withdrawn after 38 minutes of the Greens’ latest match-up due to a foot injury.
The Scout Says: Erik Lamela is serving a one-match suspension, meaning Son should slot back into the starting line-up for West Ham United’s visit on Sunday. The South Korea international’s classification as forward in the Fantasy Premier League greatly reduces his appeal, but his electric pace on the counter will be a welcome sight for Harry Kane’s 23% ownership. Alli (4.9) is going from strength to strength in his debut top-flight campaign, alerting Fantasy managers to his value as a budget fifth midfielder. Eriksen has turned out some stellar performances in recent Gameweeks, but his stats (seven attempts, two inside the box in four starts) are a little underwhelming for an 8.4-priced midfielder, though four home matches in six could bring him back onto our radars again.
Hammers’ Kouyate in the Goals
Cheikhou Kouyate opened the scoring for Senegal with his second international goal. The West Ham midfielder played 88 minutes for his country before being replaced towards the end of the 3-0 win.
The Scout Says: Kouyate kicked off the campaign with two goals and an assist in three starts but netted a solitary strike in his subsequent eight outings. Even though three goals and an assist is a solid return for a 5.5-priced midfielder, his stats over the last four Gameweeks (two attempts and four key passes) don’t bode well on the attacking front as the Hammers gear up for a challenging trio of fixtures (tot, WBA, mun). The injury to Dimitri Payet brings Manuel Lanzini (5.3) into contention in the Hammers’ midfield, with the Argentine bagging two goals, a pair of assists and six bonus points in the last five Gameweeks.
