The Scout Mission – Gameweek 2

The Scout Mission is back, outlining all our key routes of investigation ahead of the Gameweek.

Here’s where our focus will be and the questions we’re asking ahead of Friday’s first kick-off.

Zlatan on home turf against the Rooney option…

He’s done what has been asked of him so far. Two starts, two goals – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has delivered on his promise, although it’s fair to say he’s failed to sparkle in either of his competitive performances to this point.

Now comes an Old Trafford bow in front of the TV cameras – a scenario surely prepared for Ibrahimovic to seize centre stage.

The Swede will be heavily backed heading into the clash with Southampton.

Found in almost 45% of squads, he’s pushing Sergio Aguero close in our current captain poll and, with both Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy faltering on day one, he’s already justified his position as the candidate to partner the City man in our squads.

Nonetheless, Wayne Rooney is already providing a tantalising alternative. Priced at 2.5 less than Ibrahimovic, Rooney also got his goal at Bournemouth and produced statistics that demonstrated progress on last season’s stifled form under Louis van Gaal.

Friday night will provide further evidence on just how close those two will place this season.

Pep’s approach on the road…

The midweek stroll against Steaua Bucharest didn’t tell us much about Pep Guardiola’s tactics away from home, other than a willingness to give his strongest XI more minutes.

It will be fascinating to see how this impacts on City’s approach to the trip to the Britannia.

We saw Pep’s shape-shifting in evidence against Sunderland but have to wonder if, when faced with an away tie with Stoke, whether he will adjust.

Aguero’s role is a given but we will be watching the playmakers and in particular weighing up the form of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.

The latter has been a revelation thus far, without yet registering with the FPL masses.

Another electric performance this weekend and his stock will begin to rise as an 8.0 route into what will surely be a profit laden City attack.

Coutinho’s bid to keep the bandwagon rolling….

Always capable of moments of brilliance, it just so happens that Philippe Coutinho timed his first bout for Gameweek 1.

That prompted an immediate rush for the Brazilian’s services with almost 280,000 welcoming him in: over 25% of FPL managers now own Coutinho.

Those who have resisted his charms are banking on his notorious inconsistency coming to the fore.

Often relying on the spectacular, it’s assumed that Coutinho will be unable to keep pace with heavy-hitting rivals in midfield, or even his Liverpool team-mates – Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

The trip to Turf Moor will tell us more and Mane’s possible injury absence may just shake up Jurgen Klopp’s line-up and change the dynamic.

Kane’s goal threat without Dembele…

The theory keeps on running. Harry Kane’s struggles without Mousa Dembele in the Spurs side continue, with his latest display at Everton in Gameweek 1 compounding matters. Kane failed to register a single goal attempt in the 1-1 draw at Goodison.

The White Hart Lane meeting with Palace is now vital to Kane and his 18% ownership, particularly if Ibrahimovic and the cast of mid-price forward options deliver again.

A potential home debut for Vincent Janssen is unlikely to help matters.

The Dutchman impressed in his cameo from the bench at Everton, with Kane withdrawing further into the number ten role.

In many ways Kane’s owners will almost want to see their man work alongside Janssen in order to gain reassurance that Kane will deliver as an 11.0 option this season.

Sigurdsson vs Snodgrass in the battle of the dead-ball specialists…

We expect to see Gylfi Sigurdsson restored to Swansea’s starting lineup and perhaps begin his case to claim a spot in our squads.

We know his qualities, we know the influence he can have on Swansea and how his threat from range and role on set-pieces can make that 7.5 price tag seem incredibly reasonable.

The Gameweek 2 clash with Hull City could be fascinating – Sigurdsson will be on the pitch against Robert Snodgrass, another player who has already demonstrated a similar impact for the Tigers.

Like Sigurdsson, he’s central to their play, can score from distance and will dominate set-pieces.

Saturday’s meeting could come down to which of these protagonists comes out on top.

Hazard as an away day asset…

By snatching penalties from Oscar on Monday night, Eden Hazard already started repaying the faith shown by his 20% ownership.

Whilst he sparkled at times against West Ham, we’re yet to see Antonio Conte’s stance on the road and we know from experience that Hazard can evaporate as a prospect away from home.

Even in his incredible debut season, Hazard produced five and three assists on his travels, compared to nine goals and six assists at the Bridge.

If the Belgian is to convince again, both as a heavy-hitter and a potential captain candidate, we have to see evidence that he’ll produce consistently.

Koeman’s setup and his use of Bolasie…

We’re hoping to see Ronald Koeman preserve his 3-4-2-1 against West Brom, a system which might just see Leighton Baines rejuvenated as an FPL prospect.

The Dutchman has new pieces of the jigsaw to play with, as Romelu Lukaku edges back into the frame and both Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie prepare for Toffees debuts.

It remains to be seen if the trio will get run-outs at the Hawthorns and how Koeman adjusts his formation and teamsheet to include them.

Arsenal with their euro stars restored…

Arsene Wenger seems skeptical on whether he will gamble on recalling the likes of Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and even Laurent Koscielny.

It’s difficult to assess Arsenal until they’re re-installed.

Both Ozil and Giroud are central to how the Gunners setup and play and, without them, assets like Alexis Sanchez may not be as effective.

We’re just not tempted by Arsenal’s squad right now – from back to front there appears to be far more viable options. And yet, as the fixtures improve and Wenger’s first choice lineup is restored, we know that will change.

Wenger’s teamsheet at Leicester and the performance of the returning players will be of keen interest. We know Arsenal can and will click, we just don’t know when and where.

Vardy coming back from the cold…

Arsenal’s defence is there to be shot at and yet, based on his performance at Hull City, Jamie Vardy has not yet found his sights.

Claudio Ranieri’s teamsheet was perhaps a factor. The inclusion of Ahmed Musa and Demarai Gray appeared to upset the balance – certainly Vardy saw little of the ball, which perhaps led to him snatching at opportunities.

We’re expecting Ranieri to roll back to the likes of Marc Albrighton and Shinji Okazaki and that might just see a return to the patterns we saw last season.

The pattern that saw Vardy establish himself as an incredible FPL asset.

Payet’s return as a heavy-hitter option…

West Ham struggled without Dimitri Payet on Monday night.

Bereft of his creativity, they failed to make an impression on the Chelsea rearguard, with Andy Carroll largely starved of service.

Andre Ayew’s injury has surely sealed the deal – Payet has to start against Bournemouth and he is another who we will be watching keenly, knowing full well that it will take very little for him to play his way into our thinking.

Should Payet produce against the Cherries, we will doubtless see another shake-up in FPL midfields as the cast of big names make a play for inclusion.