The Scout Mission – Gameweek 38

Our thoughts now focus on Sunday’s final round of fixtures as the 2015/16 season comes to a close. Olivier Giroud’s chance to shine at home to Villa, Sunderland’ survival hangover, Southampton’s in-form trio against Palace’s defence and the race for the Golden Boot are all amongst our Thursday lunchtime topics.

Giroud’s chance to be this year’s Theo…

A home clash against relegated Villa has Fantasy managers lining up to invest in the Arsenal attack this weekend. Memories of last season’s Gameweek 38, when Theo Walcott proved a deadly differential with a hat-trick and 20-point home haul against West Brom, may persuade many Alexis Sanchez owners to consider doubling-up against Eric Black’s Championship-bound outfit. With Danny Welbeck sidelined due to injury, could a punt on Olivier Giroud be the answer? The Frenchman finally broke his scoring drought at City last week and we can expect him to be handed chances aplenty as the Gunners look for the win that may yet clinch second ahead of Spurs.

Martial’s home comforts…

Passed fit for United’s trip to West Ham, the Frenchman is building in form after bagging a brace in the 3-2 loss to Slaven Bilic’s troops. Although Louis van Gaal will have one eye on the FA Cup final, the United boss can ill-afford to take any risks with his team sheet given that his side could yet finish anywhere between fourth and sixth. Having scored or assisted in five of his last seven starts at Old Trafford, Martial will be looking to maintain that momentum as United seek to secure a European slot for next season ahead of their Wembley showdown against Palace.

Tadic and co. against Palace’s defence…

Having finally secured survival thanks to last week’s win over Stoke, Alan Pardew may well be tempted to rest a number of his regulars ahead of the FA Cup final as Palace travel to St Mary’s. Such a scenario is bound to hand the advantage to a Southampton side firing on all cylinders after back-to-back wins over City and Spurs. Dusan Tadic has been subject to more transfers in than any player in the Gameweek so far after producing two goals and six assists in four, whilst in-form team-mates Sadio Mane and Shane Long also look in fine fettle as they face up to a defence with two clean sheets in 18.

Klopp’s second-string at the Hawthorns…

With the Europa League final against Sevilla taking place just three days after their trip to West Brom, Jurgen Klopp is set to frustrate Fantasy managers yet again by ringing the changes. As witnessed last night, though, the Reds’ back-up players have the form to prevail as they attempt to push for a place in Klopp’s midweek plans in Basel. As many look to part company with Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, the likes of Christian Benteke (two goals and an assist in three) and Sheyi Ojo – who emerged from the bench to supply an assist for the third successive league match – may prove canny alternatives against a Baggies backline without a clean sheet in six.

Hazard form as the Foxes roll up…

The Chelsea winger’s renaissance continued with a superb opener at Anfield last night. After scoring once in the first 34 Gameweeks, Hazard looks revitalised in recent outings and with four goals in as many matches, he’s building momentum just in time for next month’s Euro 2016 tournament. Having fired the title-deciding goal in each of the last two seasons now, he seems to me reveling in the limelight and a home encounter against champions Leicester could see him rise to the occasion yet again in Guus Hiddink’s final match in charge.

Townsend and the Magpies at home to Tottenham…

Sunderland’s win over Everton last night gives Newcastle no more than pride to play for as they entertain Spurs before falling through the relegation trap door. Unbeaten in four home fixtures under Rafa Benitez, the Magpies will attempt to go out with a bang, though, as they try to convince the Spaniard to remain at the helm for next season’s stint in the Championship. With two double-figure hauls in the last three St James’ fixtures, Andros Townsend’s owners will be tempted to hold as he looks to get one over his former club and stake a late claim for Roy Hodgson’s summer plans.

Sunderland’s survival hangover…

We’d expected the battle to beat the drop to go right down to the wire but the Black Cats’ back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Everton has ended the relegation dogfight early. With the pressure now off ahead of Sunday’s trip to Watford, Big Sam has afforded his players time off until Saturday as they bask in the relief of another great escape. Can Jermain Defoe and co rise to the occasion once again or will the midweek celebrations take the cutting edge off their Vicarage Road display?

Redmond in the shop window…

A goal and two assists in last night’s win over Watford helped the Norwich winger to a 17-point haul over double Gameweek 37 – more than any midfielder or forward. The Canaries may now be braced for life in the Championship again but Redmond’s midweek showing will surely have the suitors circling this summer. Mark Hughes is already eyeing up a move as he looks to bring more pace to the Stoke flanks and another big display away to Everton’s dire defence could bring a few more admirers into the reckoning.

The race for the Golden Boot…

With one match remaining, Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Jamie Vardy are set for a final day shoot-out in their quest to end this season as top scorer in the Premier League. The Spurs striker has a narrow one-goal advantage over the duo as he travels to relegated Newcastle looking to help his side finish second above Arsenal. Aguero, meanwhile, has netted in each of the last six as City prepare to say goodbye to Manuel Pellegrini, whilst Vardy will be desperate to get one over deposed champions Chelsea as Claudio Ranieri’s side see out the season at Stamford Bridge. For all three, personal motivation could be a key factor here and persuade many owners to hold as we reassess our options up front for one last time.