Man City’s first-leg semi-final against Real Madrid ends goalless at the Etihad. The FA charge Dele Alli with violent conduct following Monday night’s altercation with Claudio Yacob, whilst Norwich’s Timm Klose steps up his recovery ahead of double Gameweek 37.
City’s progress in the balance
The home leg of Manchester City’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Manuel Pellegrini made five changes from the side that won 4-0 against Stoke on Saturday, with Nicolas Otamendi the only member of the back-four to retain his starting berth – a sign of the Chilean’s intentions to rest and rotate. Further up the field, Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho came in for Kelechi Iheanacho and the injured Yaya Toure and the Belgian offered his side’s main goal threat, firing two of their four attempts on goal.
City look almost certain to be without David Silva, though, after the winger was forced off with five minutes remaining in the first period. Discussing the Spaniard’s fitness, Pellegrini went on to say:
“David Silva has a hamstring injury and will not be fit in one week.”
The Scout Says: Although Silva looks poised to miss the weekend trip to St Mary’s, De Bruyne owners will be taking nothing for granted after he was benched for the second time in four league matches against the Potters. Given that the likes of Jesus Navas and Raheem Sterling could be fielded on the flanks if Pellegrini opts for a 4-4-2 at St Mary’s, it’s no real surprise that over 10,000 Fantasy managers have already sold the Belgian this week. Meanwhile, City’s third clean sheet in five outings across all competitions highlights their clean sheet potential. Having changed three of his back-four from the weekend, though, Pellegrini’s team sheet suggests that Joe Hart remains their only safe source of defensive coverage while they’re still fighting on two fronts.
Alli handed FA charge
Dele Alli has been charged by the FA for violent conduct after he appeared to punch Claudio Yacob midway through the first half of Tottenham Hotspur’s home encounter against West Bromwich Albion. The player has until 6pm this evening to respond.
The Scout Says: In the likely event that Alli is found guilty of the transgression, the PFA Young Player of the Year would incur a three-match ban and sit out Tottenham’s remaining fixtures (che, SOU, new). Considering the clear-cut nature of the offence, his substantial ownership is already on the decline, with only three players currently being transferred out in greater volume. Alli has assisted seven of Harry Kane’s 24 goals this term, so his absence slightly reduces the striker’s appeal as a captaincy candidate next time out. On the flip side, Christian Eriksen – who produced attacking returns (one goal, five assists) in all of his last five starts – could profit from a central role and is now the prime choice for those managers wishing to double up on Spurs’ offense. With Alli potentially out of the picture, the likes of Heung-Min Son and Nacer Chadli will be pushing for starts on the flanks, though with eight teams set to feature twice in the penultimate round of fixtures, a Spurs exodus could pick up pace next week if Leicester clinch the title by the end of Gameweek 36.
Stoke’s Wilson suffers setback
Marc Wilson was forced off upon his return from injury during a behind-closed-doors friendly for Stoke yesterday.
The Scout Says: Whilst Wilson looks likely to miss out again as the Potters host Sunderland this weekend, Mark Hughes will at least be able to welcome back Erik Pieters from a two-match suspension as he attempt to address a dire run that’s seen his side concede four times in each of their last trio of league outings – despite the recent return of skipper Ryan Shawcross. Stoke’s lack of resolve bodes well for weekend visitors Sunderland, then, allowing Fantasy managers to eye up the Wearsiders’ attacking assets ahead of their double Gameweek 37 (CHE & EVE). On that note, Jermain Defoe lays claims to good form (three goals in six) and impressive underlying statistics, ranking second for penalty-box touches (34) and second for shots inside the box (13) among forwards across his last four matches. Despite being stationed out wide, Fabio Borini could also emerge as a profitable differential, given that he charted joint-fifth for attempts (13) and joint-seventh for shots inside the box (nine) during that time frame.
Klose steps up recovery
Norwich centre-half Timm Klose took to Instagram yesterday to suggest he’s nearing a return to action before the end of the season.
The Scout Says: Having previously been ruled out for the rest of the campaign by Alex Neil, a possible return for Klose would be a welcome boost to the Canaries’ survival plight. Prior to limping out of the Gameweek 33 clash against Palace on 39 minutes, the Swiss international had served up a goal, two clean sheets and five bonus points in three appearances, helping his side to two wins and a draw. Whilst he seems set to miss this week’s trip to Arsenal, Klose – at 4.2 – is clearly worth monitoring ahead of a pair of home matches in double Gameweek 37 (MUN & WAT) and trip to Everton on the final day of the season that bolster the Carrow Road club’s chances of beating the drop.
