The Scout Mission – Gameweek 36

Our attentions turn to the upcoming round of fixtures now, with one eye already focused on double Gameweek 37. Chelsea midfield at home to Spurs, Watford’s front two versus Villa’s dire defence and West Ham’s attack are all on our agenda, as are Sergio Aguero’s minutes and United’s chance to keep the title race alive.

United as the party poopers…
Leicester could barely ask for a tougher task as they travel to Old Trafford looking for the win that would clinch the Premier League crown. Devoid of the suspended Jamie Vardy for one more match, the Foxes face a defence that’s chalked up five clean sheets in the last six in front of their own fans and conceded just seven times at home all season. A win for Louis van Gaal’s side would not only keep the title race alive for at least another week, it would also ensure our Leicester and Spurs assets still have everything to play for ahead of Gameweek 37.

Tottenham’s attitude…
There’s no denying that Monday’s home draw with West Brom and the fallout from Dele Alli’s altercation with Claudio Yacob have dented morale at the Lane, with the youngster braced for a likely three-match ban. Up until this point, Mauricio Pochettino has been loath to rest and rotate his regulars but, should Leicester win at Old Trafford and therefore clinch the title on Sunday, will the Argentine ring the changes for Monday’s trip to Chelsea? Regardless, if the Foxes do prevail this weekend, those holding the likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen may well join the Alli exodus if Spurs have no more than pride left to play for.

Aguero’s minutes ahead of Real…
Subbed off after 64 minutes in last week’s 4-0 win over Stoke, the Argentine’s pitch time was clearly being managed ahead of the midweek Champions League encounter with Real Madrid. With their semi-final clash still in the balance after a goalless first-leg draw, though, will Manuel Pellegrini again look to protect Aguero for Sunday’s trip to St Mary’s? Although we expect him to start against the Saints, Aguero’s captaincy credentials could again be dented by European matters, given that City’s return match in Spain is just three days after the Southampton head-to-head.

Bilic’s attack…
The Hammers look full of goals ahead of their double Gameweek 37 and have found the net at least twice in each of their last six league outings. Still, though, questions remain over Slaven Bilic’s first XI as the Upton Park outfit travel to West Brom this weekend. Despite scoring six times in five, Andy Carroll has started just two of those fixtures, whilst Michail Antonio continues to be utilised at right-back and Manuel Lanzini was benched for the first of the two double Gameweek 34 fixtures. Although Dimitri Payet remains the most secure pick, Bilic’s team sheet at the Hawthorns may go some way to determining our likely levels of investment for the upcoming pair of home clashes with Swansea and United.

Hazard and the Chelsea midfield…
A 4-1 hammering of Bournemouth suggests that Guus Hiddink’s dethroned champions have belatedly discovered their attacking verve. Eden Hazard’s brace at Dean Court, allied with strikes from Pedro and Willian and a trio of Cesc Fabregas assists, has brought the Blues’ midfielders back into contention at a time when City and Liverpool’s rotation in the centre of the park is proving hugely frustrating. A home clash with Tottenham – that could potentially end the visitors’ title tilt – affords Chelsea the motivation to build momentum and fire their way into our plans ahead of double Gameweek 37.

Lukaku’s form ahead of another double…
Much to our chagrin, Everton’s top scorer has proven a double Gameweek disaster on two occasions already earlier this month. Nonetheless, the fixtures remain in Lukaku’s favour for the run-in, with home clashes against Bournemouth and Norwich on either side of a pair of trips to Leicester and Sunderland in Gameweek 37. Encouragingly for the Toffees, the Belgian has already scored against all four remaining opponents earlier in the season ahead of this week’s visit from a Cherries backline that’s shipped 16 goals in their last six fixtures. Deliver the goods against Eddie Howe’s side and he could play his way back into our plans.

The Magpies’ momentum…
Last week’s comeback draw at Liverpool once again underlined Newcastle’s improvement under new manager Rafa Benitez. It’s nine goals in five now for the Tyneside team, with that 2-2 stalemate at Anfield extending their unbeaten streak to three fixtures. With the likes of Andros Townsend and Moussa Sissoko becoming increasingly influential, those who invested in the Magpies’ main men for double Gameweek 34 may well choose to hold ahead of a plum home clash with Palace and trip to Villa over the next two matches.

…and Sunderland’s…
A goalless draw at home to Arsenal derailed Alexis Sanchez’ run of goals last time out and helped Big Sam’s side to a third clean sheet in four. Finally out of the drop zone, can the Wearsiders now push clear of the chasing pack and secure their safety? With Newcastle’s attack on the up, though, Allardyce’s side need to get amongst the goals to remain ahead of their relegation rivals – whilst Jermain Defoe remains the top target, the likes of Fabio Borini and Wahbi Khazri may need to up their output if the Black Cats are to clinch their top-flight status.

Deeney and Ighalo at home to Villa…
The Watford front two have been far from convincing in recent months and morale in the camp will be low on the back of last weekend’s FA Cup exit to Palace. Regardless, both Deeney and Ighalo could barely be handed a better chance to rediscover their mojo as relegated Villa roll up to Vicarage Road on Saturday. With a double Gameweek 37 – which includes a trip to Norwich – and a home match against Sunderland on the final day of the season, we’ll be assessing Quique Sanchez Flores’ attack for signs of improvement.

Klopp’s attack with Benteke back …
Despite the absence of Divock Origi, the Liverpool boss sprung a surprise last week by partnering Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge for the home encounter against Newcastle. With Christian Benteke now back in the mix, though, will the German tinker further with his attack as the Reds make their way to Swansea? At a time where Philippe Coutinho’s domestic pitch time (one start in four) has been curtailed due to the Merseysiders’ ongoing Europa League commitments, Firmino (who has started the last four) and Sturridge (five league starts in six) have been far more reliable, though Benteke’s return may well allow Klopp more leeway as he shuffles his pack to cope with the busy schedule.