The Scout Mission – Gameweek 25

Our attentions turn to Saturday and Sunday’s ten fixtures now as we assess some of the key topics in the Gameweek ahead. Sergio Aguero’s captaincy credentials against Leicester’s defence, Jamie Vardy at the Etihad, Matt Targett’s minutes, Benik Afobe’s claim as a viable budget option and Arsenal’s attack all find their way onto this evening’s menu.

Aguero versus the Foxes defence…
After netting five goals in the last three fixtures, City’s main man has proven a reliable armband candidate for his growing band of owners in recent weeks. Up next, though, is a home clash with a resilient Leicester outfit that’s been breached just once in the last six Gameweeks, making the captaincy call that little bit trickier this week. With Harry Kane in such fine form ahead of Spurs’ home match with Watford, can the Foxes backline reign in the Argentine’s threat or will he emerge victorious and justify our armband affection?

Vardy’s form over fixture…
With Aguero and Kane nailed on for many, the Leicester frontman has barged his way to the front of the queue as the replacement for Romelu Lukaku after netting twice at home to Liverpool. Finally, Vardy looks injury-free and back to the sort of form that saw him score or assist in 16 of the first 17 Gameweeks. Frustratingly, though, he now faces trips to City and Arsenal – matches that could easily curtail his momentum before the fixtures turn for the better in Gameweek 27. Can Vardy reward his early adopters or will he be halted by a City defence that’s conceded once in their last three at the Etihad?

Costa versus Rooney as the Lukaku replacement?…
Devoid of form and heading into the weekend as an injury doubt, the Romelu Lukaku exodus is picking up pace. Whilst Vardy is the current favourite, Sunday’s head-to-head at Stamford Bridge affords the Chelsea and United frontmen an opportunity to impress any would-be Fantasy suitors. Both Costa and Rooney have bagged five goals and two assists in their last six league appearances, yet remain in just 6% and 10% of FPL sides – for those with cash to splash, they could prove timely differentials.

McClaren’s attacking set-up…
Handing Andros Townsend a debut on the left flank last night, the Newcastle boss surprisingly dropped Aleksandar Mitrovic to the bench as Ayoze Perez led the line instead. Although the 3-0 reverse keeps the Magpies stationed in the bottom three, a home clash against West Brom will afford a degree of optimism, bearing in mind that they’ve lost just one of their last five at St James. With the pressure mounting – and a double Gameweek still to be factored in – will McClaren show some consistency with his lone striker or will we see new boy Seydou Doumbia given his chance to stake a claim for our consideration?

Targett’s pitch time…
A run of three straight starts at left wing-back had catapulted the 3.8-priced Southampton defender onto our radars before he dropped to the bench for the midweek trip to Arsenal. Although the Saints recorded a fourth successive shut-out, it’s fair to say they were a little fortunate – the Gunners fired 21 shots inside the box, with Fraser Forster’s 10 saves denying the home side time and again. A move back to 3-5-2 could help address Tuesday’s showing and keep Targett’s prospects as the cheapest starter in the FPL game intact.

Afobe’s point to prove…
Bournemouth’s winter signing has settled seamlessly in his new surrounds, with a goal in each of the last three Gameweeks helping his side taken seven points from matches against Norwich, Sunderland and Palace. Afobe faces his stiffest test so far this weekend, though, as Arsenal roll up to Dean Court on Sunday afternoon. The Cherries new boy has extra impetus to impress and get one over his former club – if he can deliver again, that price of 6.1 could turn a few heads as a cheap third forward at a time where Odion Ighalo has scored in just one of his last five league appearances.

Eriksen as the Spurs differential…
The Tottenham playmaker remains a real under the radar candidate as a result of Deli Alli and Harry Kane’s performances. Top for key passes (19) and shots on target (eight) amongst midfielders over the last four Gameweeks, Eriksen has translated those underlying numbers into Fantasy returns and is the top form midfielder in FPL, racking up 36 points across that period. Currently sitting in just 7% of FPL sides, a home clash against Watford offers the Dane further chance to strengthen his claim for a place in our five-man midfields.

Stoke’s main men as the fixtures turn kind…
Frustratingly, Stoke’s form ahead of an excellent run of fixtures has been nothing short of dire. Mark Hughes’ men may have four home fixtures and a trip to Bournemouth in the next six but our enthusiasm is considerably curbed by a run that’s seen them score once in their last five across all competitions. Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri have both been hampered by hamstring niggles in recent weeks but the upcoming schedule suggests both have the potential to shake up the midfield template if they can return to form and match sharpness.

Siggy’s rising star…
A home encounter with injury-hit Palace hands the Swansea playmaker another chance to get amongst the points. Sigurdsson’s midweek opener at West Brom means he’s now scored in four of the last five Gameweeks, yet a 3% ownership hints at a general reluctance to climb on board. We’ll be keeping a keen eye on his progress against the Eagles and also monitoring Alberto Paloschi’s pitch time – the Italian impressed off the bench at the Hawthorns and will be pushing for a first start under his old Parma boss, Francesco Guidolin.

Wenger’s attack at Dean Court…
After seeing his side fail to score for the third successive Gameweek, the Gunners boss could be tempted to tinker for the trip to Bournemouth. Olivier Giroud’s midweek blank means he has now failed to score in six of his last seven appearances and with Alexis Sanchez back, Wenger could utilise the pace of Theo Walcott as a lone striker once again. The latter was benched against the Saints in midweek but with the Frenchman struggling for form, will this weekend signal the return of rotation up front again?

Liverpool’s form options…
A home clash with Sunderland is the first of back-to-back clashes against the bottom two that allow Fantasy managers the chance to assess Jurgen Klopp’s players with one eye on the as-yet-to-be-announced double Gameweek. Whilst Roberto Firmino remains the standout option, can the likes of James Milner (a goal and two assists in four) or Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana, with a goal apiece in the recent win at Norwich, prove worthy of our consideration? At the back, will Alberto Moreno ever deliver on those underlying numbers or will our options be limited to the out-of-position Brazilian?