Scout Notes – Gameweek 26 – Saturday

Romelu Lukaku’s fritters his armband opportunity to frustrate his Fantasy owners, as Dimitri Payet breaks his run of blanks to emerge as Saturday’s key asset. Diego Costa flourishes as Chelsea rout a miserable Magpies, while Wahbi Khazri builds his reputation as Sunderland see off Manchester United. Here’s the notes from Saturday’s events…

Lukaku Blanks as Inconsistent Toffees Slip

Despite racking up 34 attempts (the most of any team this season) at Goodison Park, Everton suffered a 1-0 reverse to West Brom and only tested their keeper, Ben Foster, on five occasions.

Remarkably, Romelu Lukaku accounted for just three of those 32 efforts, while Ross Barkley missed the target with a staggering nine attempts. Given that the Toffees face a blank next Gameweek, the ownership of both their prime attacking assets looks set to plummet.

At the back, Everton conceded from West Brom’s single accurate shot, reaffirming their status as the side with the worst defensive home record (23 goals conceded). Leighton Baines and Tim Howard both remained rooted to the bench in Saturday’s meeting but could be in line for recalls in time for the promising trip to Aston Villa in Gameweek 28.

Khazri Inspires Precious Black Cats Win

Arresting a four-match winless streak, Sunderland pulled off a convincing 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the Stadium of Light. In the process, the Black Cats tallied a season-high volume of attempts (21), illustrating their improvement in attacking areas since the turn of the year.

Having supplied the ammunition for both of Sunderland’s goals at Anfield last weekend, Wahbi Khazri etched his name onto the scoresheet with a crossed free-kick that evaded any touch. Valued at 6.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the Tunisian international represents an alluring route into an attack that’s chalked up 13 goals in their previous seven outings.

Khazri continued to hog set-piece scenarios, providing an array of incisive deliveries including the cross for Lamine Kone’s header that was ultimately classified as a David de Gea own goal. Khazri’s ability from dead-balls is likely to prove significant given Sam Allardyce’s fondness for effective set-pieces. Khazri provided five chances for team-mates from Saturday’s win – only Everton’s Aaron Lennon can match that tally so far in the Gameweek.

Elsewhere, Patrick van Aanholt underlined his Fantasy potential with his third assist of the campaign, coupled with a bonus point. Although the Dutch full-back currently charts joint-top among defenders for goals (five), the fact that Sunderland hold the longest active streak of matches without a clean sheet (12) diminishes his appeal somewhat.

Sunderland’s short-term schedule is mixed with the home fixture with Crystal Palace sandwiched between testing trips to West Ham and Southampton. A decent trio of match-ups lie in wait from Gameweek 30, as Allardyce’s side face up to Everton (depending on Everton’s FA Cup progress) and West Brom at home around a crucial Tyne-Wear derby in Gameweek 31.

United Regress Once Again

Manchester United’s top-four aspirations were dealt a hammer blow as they recorded their second defeat in four match-ups. Anthony Martial held up his end of the bargain, netting for the second time in three starts, while Juan Mata’s assist ended a run of 13 successive blanks.

The Red Devils’ defence remains the most attractive route into their squad, yet Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s 40,000 new owners were left frustrated as Louis van Gaal’s troops failed to register just their second shut-out in eight road ties.

Looking ahead to their home clash against Arsenal next Gameweek, they’ll have to repel the North Londoners’ bristling attack without the services of Matteo Darmian: the Italian dislocated his shoulder in the first half and will be absent for “several weeks” according to Van Gaal.

Potters Rediscover Scoring Touch

Fresh from three consecutive 3-0 defeats, Stoke City ran out 3-1 victors in a road clash against Bournemouth. In the absence of Marko Arnautovic – who missed out due to illness – Giannelli Imbula, Joselu and Ibrahim Afellay netted for Mark Hughes’ men.

Given that Imbula notched three goals in 66 appearances for Marseille, Joselu lacks the security of starts and Afellay’s managed just one goal and two assists this term, the Fantasy potential on show on Saturday’s scoresheet seems somewhat limited.

At the other end of the pitch, Mark Hughes’ unit suffered further injury setbacks, with Marc Muniesa (hamstring) and Glen Johnson (knock) both leaving the field of play. Nonetheless, Jack Butland’s 23% ownership will draw encouragement from the fact that Ryan Shawcross is on the verge of a return to the fray.

The Stoke skipper is expected to be in contention for the Gameweek 27 meeting with Aston Villa – a fixture which marks the beginning of a very kind run for Hughes’ side which includes four home matches in six (AVL NEW che SOT wat SWA).

Adebayor The Silver Lining for Eagles

Defeat at the hands of Watford means that Crystal Palace are now winless in nine outings; the Eagles defence has gone seven matches without a shut-out.

Emmanuel Adebayor provided the solitary moment of quality from Palace, powering home a headed equaliser just before the break, with Connor Wickham claiming the assist.

Ultimately, Palace have amassed a paltry four goals across the last nine Gameweeks, with Alan Pardew desperate for the return of Yannick Bolasie and Bakary Sako who are reportedly back in contention for Gameweek 27.

Compounding Pardew’s misery, Pape Souare received a straight red for a late reckless tackle on Valon Behrami. He’ll be sidelined for their FA Cup meeting with Tottenham Hotspur and two league ties (wba, sun).

Payet Drives Hammers Recovery

West Ham United struck twice within the space of three minutes to rescue a draw at Carrow Road.

Delighting his 22% ownership, Dimitri Payet – who had produced four straight blanks prior to this head-to-head – scored his second goal in six starts and bagged an assist.

The Frenchman was ranked second in our midfield Watchlist rankings heading into the Gameweek, despite recent form. With three home ties (SUN, TOT, WAT) on the Hammers’ agenda over the next four Gameweeks, Payet looks well placed to re-establish himself as a prime pick in the mid-price bracket.

Elsewhere in the Irons’ camp, Mark Noble completed the comeback with a searing strike from the edge of the box, and Victor Moses recorded an assist in an impressive display from the bench.

Indeed, Slaven Bilic’s options in attacking areas are looking plentiful given that Manuel Lanzini is scheduled to return to training this weekend. The Argentine is set to be back in contention having sat out a half-dozen matches with a groin complaint. His comeback, along with the claims of Moses, will put increasing pressure on Michail Antonio’s starting role in the coming weeks, despite his superb form of late.

Saints Claim Sixth Shut-Out

Shane Long steered Southampton to their fifth win in six outings with a second-half header at Swansea, with James Ward-Prowse providing the assist.

Once again, Ronald Koeman opted for a 5-3-2 set-up, with Graziano Pelle chosen to partner Long in attack, leaving Charlie Austin to settle for an appearance from the bench.

The Saints’ exemplary defensive form continued as they kept out the opposition for the sixth match in a row. Virgil van Dijk (5.5) continued to emerge as the primary asset in the back-line, collecting maximum bonus points, however, Matt Targett’s return to the starting lineup looks to be significant.

Koeman chose to recall the 3.9 asset to the left wing-back role, shifting Ryan Bertrand to the left of his three centre-backs. This saw Yaya Yoshida drop to the bench, despite his goal and encouraging display against West Ham last time out.

Costa Stars as Chelsea Run Riot

Chelsea extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches by virtue of the 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle United.

Diego Costa rewarded his 34,000 new owners with a goal and assist, boosting his output to five goals and three assists in the last seven starts. Although there’s a chance that Chelsea will face a blank fixture in Gameweek 30 (if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup next weekend), Costa’s form makes him a clear factor to consider over the next three Gameweeks (sou, nor, STO).

The Blues’ midfield filled their boots against the Magpies’ risible defence, with Pedro notching a brace, Willian recording a goal and assist, Cesc Fabregas earning an assist and Bertrand Traore netting his first Premier League goal.

Excluding Costa, Willian – who’s pitched at 7.0 and carries a potent threat from set pieces – continues to stand out as the prime route into Guus Hiddink’s revitalised attack.

Oscar was absent from Saturday’s squad with a minor calf problem – the Brazilian was no doubt left out of Hiddink’s reckoning with Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with PSG in mind.

Owners of Chelsea’s defenders were left exasperated when the visitors scored a last-gasp equaliser via a fine Andros Townsend strike. Despite the late failing, Cesar Azpilicueta’s 13% ownership enjoyed the Spaniard’s third assist of the season; the right-back is now the cheapest route into the Chelsea rearguard in the absence of the injured Kurt Zouma.

Elsewhere, John Terry was replaced on the 38-minute mark with a muscle strain; he will be assessed today. In the event that Terry is consigned to the sidelines, Baba Rahman could be afforded a rare run of starts. That would introduce a new 5.4 FPL option in the Blues back-line and could also see Branislav Ivanovic revert to centre-back, somewhat dampening his attacking potential.