Stephane Sessegnon scores twice as Benin stroll to victory. Stoke stopper Jack Butland is ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured ankle, Kasper Schmeichel allays any injury fears, whilst reports suggest Toby Alderweireld could miss Belgium’s clash with Portugal due to illness.
Sessegnon at the double
Stephane Sessegnon bagged a brace for Benin as they recorded a 4-1 victory over South Sudan in their African Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Scout Says: Sessegnon has now notched three times in two appearances over the break, though with one goal and two assists to his name all season, he’s been no more than a peripheral Fantasy figure. In terms of tapping into West Bromwich Albion’s attacking potential, Salomon Rondon (four goals and one assist in seven outings) is the only player that courts our interest. Looking beyond the Baggies’ upcoming pair of road ties (sun, mci), they embark on a mixed bag of a double Gameweek (WAT & ars). Although the Venezuelan frontman boasts good form, the fact that he mustered just six attempts in his previous four outings renders him an ambitious punt for out three-man frontlines.
Butland ruled out for Potters
Jack Butland has been ruled out for around three months after scans showed that he fractured his ankle playing against Germany.
The Scout Says: Given that Butland is the most popular keeper (27% ownership) in the Fantasy Premier League, his long-term layoff will scupper many a transfer plan heading into Gameweek 32. That being said, Stoke’s schedule turns nasty (liv, TOT, mci) after their visit from Swansea next weekend, so it’s arguably a good time to ship the custodian of a defence that’s managed a solitary clean sheet in nine outings. By that same token, we’re unenthused by the budget potential of Jakob Haugaard (4.4), who looks set to benefit from the fact that Shay Given is also consigned to the treatment room.
Schmeichel allays injury fears
Kasper Schmeichel confirmed via Twitter that he pulled out of Denmark’s training session as a precaution and not because of a fresh hamstring injury.
The Scout Says: By virtue of Butland’s season-ending ankle complaint, the three highest-owned goalkeepers (Butland, Petr Cech and Joe Hart) could be on the sidelines next Gameweek. Although Schmeichel’s 12% ownership will be relieved by his statement, many will already be scouring the market for suitable replacements who are scheduled to take part in a double Gameweek 34. Nonetheless, for those who no longer have wildcards to wield, it will be difficult to discard a shot-stopper that’s profited from four clean sheets in five matches and can be snapped up at the tantalisingly low price of 4.8 – particularly when Leicester, who conceded in just one of their last seven home clashes, entertain teams at the King Power Stadium in three of the next four Gameweeks.
Shaqiri withdraws from Swiss squad
Xherdan Shaqiri has admitted defeat in his bid to recover from a thigh injury in time for Switzerland’s clash with Bosnia. The winger has subsequently left his nation’s training camp and will return to Stoke to receive treatment ahead of the home clash with Swansea.
The Scout Says: Stoke’s challenging schedule and lack of any double Gameweeks discourages any further investment in their Fantasy assets. Nonetheless, the 18% of managers who’ve recruited Marko Arnautovic (three goals in five) will feel inclined to retain the Austrian for at least one more Gameweek, given that the Potters invite a Swansea City outfit that’s mustered just one clean sheet in away matches this term.
Mitrovic set for Serbia return
Having been forced to miss Serbia’s friendly against Poland following the concussion he sustained in the Tyne-Wear derby, Aleksandar Mitrovic has been given the all-clear to represent his country against Estonia on Tuesday:
“People called from Newcastle, asked to wait a minimum of five days after the match, after losing consciousness and didn’t want to take any chances. It’s all right now, I am ready.”
The Scout Says: Since Rafa Benitez took the reins at Newcastle two Gameweeks ago, Mitrovic ranks joint-top among forwards for shots inside the box (seven) and bagged the late leveler against Sunderland last time around. Examining the Magpies’ attacking output as a unit, only five teams chalked up more attempts (29) and shots inside the box (18) across their last two outings, which should ensure that Norwich City are in for a testing afternoon after the international break. Once the Tynesiders have navigated their two road encounters (nor, sou), back-to-back home match-ups during their double Gameweek 34 (SWA & MCI) encourage us to explore the likes of Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum as possible differentials as Benitez attempts to steer the Magpies to safety.
Minor Concerns for Tottenham
Reports in the Belgian press suggest that Toby Alderweireld will miss Belgium’s friendly against Portugal because of illness. Elsewhere, the Argentina media indicate that Erik Lamela picked up a minor muscle injury during training and will be assessed prior to facing Bolivia in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The Scout Says: Alderweireld’s hefty 44% ownership in FPL will be optimistic he’ll recover in time for the weekend trip to Anfield. As a result of his capacity for attacking returns (three goals and assists), the ex-Atletico Madrid centre-back ranks top among all defenders for total score (139), which serves as a warning for managers who intend to cash in for the double Gameweeks. The Lilywhites might struggle to contain the Reds (13 goals in four) at Anfield, but their subsequent home ties against Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion – who both chart in the bottom six for shots inside the box in road matches – look more conducive to clean sheets. Lamela’s potential absence would pave the way for Heung-Min Son to reclaim a starting berth, but his classification as a forward negates his Fantasy appeal at a time when double Gameweek shopping is a priority.
