Scout Scribbles – International Round Up

Jonathan Walters scores twice to send the Republic of Ireland to Euro 2016. Eden Hazard overcomes illness to train for Belgium, Liverpool are handed an injury boost for their weekend trip to City, whilst Alexis Sanchez is nursing a calf problem ahead of Chile’s clash with Uruguay tonight.

Walters at the Double

Jonathan Walters steered the Republic of Ireland to a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina with goals in both halves last night. Having scored a spot-kick in the 24^th minute, the Stoke forward doubled the hosts’ advantage with a volley at the 70-minute mark, securing their place in Euro 2016.

The Scout Says: With Marko Arnautovic, Bojan and Xherdan Shaqiri looking nailed-on for the attacking midfield slots in Mark Hughes’ 4-2-3-1, Walters has started each of the last two league matches up front for Stoke. Despite failing to score since Gameweek 7, the 5.8-priced midfielder will be hoping that his two-goal haul keeps him ahead of fit-again Mame Biram Diouf in the Potters’ pecking order ahead of clashes against Southampton and City in the next three. Bearing in mind that the Staffordshire outfit have scored just three times in the last five Gameweeks, it remains to be seen whether the Hughes will look to freshen up his attack in an attempt to solve the ongoing goal drought.

Sanchez a Calf Concern for Chile

Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for Chile’s clash with Uruguay this evening due to a calf complaint. Manager Jorge Sampaoli is keen to give the Arsenal winger as much time as possible to recover:

“Alexis has a pain in his calf and we will wait for him until the last minute to see if he is ready to play.”

The Scout Says: Fantasy managers won’t have long to find out Sanchez’ fitness state, with Chile set to take on Uruguay at 11pm this evening. Sitting in 39% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) sides, any possible absence would have a major effect on our teams and enhance Mesut Ozil’s appeal as an option in the Gunners’ midfield. It’s worth noting that Sanchez was also a doubt during the previous international break, though his powers of recovery saw him shrug off a groin problem in time to face Brazil. Fantasy managers will be eagerly awaiting this evening’s line-up and Arsene Wenger’s Friday morning press conference before making any moves.

Hazard Back in Training Following Illness

Eden Hazard – who’s been struggling with a fever this week – managed to train with his Belgium team-mates yesterday. The Red Devils’ manager, Marc Wilmots, confirmed that the Chelsea winger has stepped up his recovery:

“Eden Hazard woke up with a big smile. He slept well and felt much better and is going to train and should play”

Earlier this morning, however, Belgium’s clash with Spain, which was scheduled for this evening, has been cancelled due to security worries.

The Scout Says: Declared essential by most Fantasy managers prior to the start of the campaign, Hazard has fallen well short of the standards he set in each of the previous three seasons in the Premier League. Belying his initial 11.5 price tag, the fleet-footed Belgian lays claim to just one goal and three assists across 11 starts, managing just 16 attempts and four shots on target in the process. To put that into perspective, Nemanja Matic has carded as many accurate attempts and is firing shots at a quicker rate (one every 63.6 minutes compared to 64.2 minutes). Although Chelsea’s schedule (NOR, tot, BOU, lei, SUN, WAT) throws up a bevy of favourable match-ups over the next six Gameweeks that could act as a catalyst to revive their form, it’s fellow wide man Willian, with two goals and an assist in the last six, who has emerged as the Blues’ form attacker at a price of just 6.9 in FPL.

Hammers Valencia Ruled Out

West Ham revealed that Enner Valencia – having sought advice from specialists on Monday – is expected to be sidelined until the New Year with an ankle injury.

The Scout Says: With Diafra Sakho potentially poised to return for the Hammers’ trip to Spurs next Gameweek and Dimitri Payet out of the picture, there’s uncertainty regarding the composition of their attack. Andy Carroll earned back-to-backs starts following his goalscoring cameo against Chelsea but he has since flattered to deceive, finding the target with neither of his two shots. If Sakho isn’t deployed at the lone-striker berth, he could be afforded a start on the right wing, with Manuel Lanzini slotting into the number ten slot as their most creative influence in Payet’s absence. Although West Ham drew a blank in their last road tie, they’ll still be emboldened by the knowledge that only Arsenal (14) have scored more goals (12) away from home as they head to the Lane.

Another Injury for Delph

Fabian Delph has withdrawn from the England squad after the FA said he was “unfit to train”.

The Scout Says: By virtue of two hamstring problems, Delph has been a peripheral figure for Manchester City this campaign, mustering three brief substitute appearances for the league leaders. Fellow summer signing Kevin De Bruyne (three goals and four assists in seven) remains the prime pick among the Sky Blues’ midfield, but cases can also be made for Raheem Sterling (three goals and one assist in four) and Yaya Toure (one goal and nine attempts in three). Ahead of four home fixtures in six, David Silva’s return should provide additional nuance to that dynamic, given that the Spain international amassed six assists in five matches prior to sustaining an ankle injury.

Walcott on Course for Return

Contrary to some reports, Theo Walcott’s camp have confirmed he has not suffered an injury setback and is still pencilled in for a return in late November/early December.

The Scout Says: To those managers who own or are eyeing up Olivier Giroud, Walcott’s injury status will be keenly observed in the next fortnight. Assuming that the jet-heeled forward recovers as predicted, he’d likely be available for the Gunners’ trip to Norwich in Gameweek 14 (November 29), rendering him a potential starter at home to Sunderland the following Gameweek. Giroud would be considered a rotation risk henceforth, yet if he can sustain his current streak (four goals in six starts), he’ll be hard to displace. Since reclaiming a starting berth in Gameweek 10, the French frontman ranks second among forwards for attempts (13) and top for shots inside the box (13), highlighting his differential appeal ahead of four agreeable fixtures (wba, nor, SUN, avl).

Liverpool Issue Injury Update

A cautious Jurgen Klopp reportedly wants Daniel Sturridge to come through 10 days of full training unscathed before the injury-prone forward can be considered for Liverpool’s matchday squad. Elsewhere on the injury front, James Milner and Jordon Ibe completed a full training session on Monday and are expected to be passed fit for the trip to Manchester City on Saturday.

The Scout Says: Since Klopp took up the mantle at Anfield from Gameweek 9, Liverpool have accrued more attempts (65) than any other team in the league and place joint-third for shots inside the box (37) over that stretch. Assuming he negotiates 10 days of training, Sturridge – who bagged a brace in his second start of the season – will be pushing for pitch time as Liverpool embark on a kind run of fixtures from Gameweek 14, though it remains to be seen just how the England international and Christian Benteke will fit into Klopp’s first-team plans. Given that Benteke has racked up two goals and an assist already under Klopp despite limited pitch time, many will be hoping the Belgian, at just 8.3, can nail down a regular role, thus affording us a viable mid-price option for our three-man frontlines. Klopp’s decision to move from 4-3-2-1 to 4-2-3-1 at home to Palace last time out allowed Ibe a start on the right and it’s possible that both he and Milner could be named in the first XI at the Etihad, with the latter returning to the double-pivot after failing to impress on the right in previous fixtures under Klopp.

Watmore Shines for England Youngsters

Duncan Watmore – who only entered the fray at the 75-minute mark – scored and assisted twice as England U21s recovered from 1-0 down to record a 3-1 victory over Switzerland. Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse netted a spot-kick for the Three Lions after the Black Cats’ wide man was felled in the box.

The Scout Says: Sunderland’s switch from a 3-4-1-2 to a 4-3-3 formation last time out against Southampton saw Watmore make his league debut, with Sam Allardyce opting for the youngster ahead of Jermain Defoe, Jeremain Lens and Fabio Borini on the left flank. Although Big Sam was a little downhearted by Watmore’s showing against the Saints, last night’s cameo certainly suggests he’s high on confidence right now – a commodity that the Wearsiders are somewhat lacking in as they battle to beat the drop. Priced at just 4.3 in FPL, though frustratingly classified as a forward, Watmore’s price tag makes him one to watch, nonetheless, if he can retain his starting berth for Monday evening’s trip to Selhurst Park.