Scout Notes – Gameweek 36 – Sunday

Sadio Mane bags a hat-trick as Southampton sweep aside City at St Mary’s. Leicester are on the verge of the title after Wes Morgan earns a point at Old Trafford, whilst Andre Ayew nets twice in Swansea’s win over Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp turns to a number of fringe players for the Liberty loss.

Mane treble downs City

Southampton maintained their fine attacking form with a 4-2 win over Manchester City on home turf.

Sadio Mane reaffirmed his differential status with a hat-trick at St Mary’s, taking his tally to seven goals in six starts. A home tie against Crystal Palace – who will doubtless be resting players ahead of the FA cup final – looks conducive to further attacking returns, yet Saints’ upcoming trip to Spurs (two goals conceded in six) tempers our enthusiasm slightly.

Ronald Koeman omitted Graziano Pelle from his matchday squad due to criticisms over the Italian’s application in training last week. The Dutchman again opted for the pacey Shane Long to lead the line, with the Republic of Ireland international’s goal meaning he has racked up three strikes and as many assists in his last four outings.

Dusan Tadic continued his outstanding recent form with a trio of assists to add to his double at Villa Park last week. He is now level with Mane on 146 points in the FPL midfield standings and, like Long, looks one to watch for next season if Koeman keeps faith in his current selection.

Iheanacho brace not enough for much-changed City

The Sky Blues have been dragged into a tussle for fourth place in the wake of an abject performance at St Mary’s Stadium.

Ahead of Man City’s trip to Real Madrid on Wednesday, Manuel Pellegrini opted to rest the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne. This saw City line up in a 4-4-2 set-up, with Samir Nasri and Raheem Sterling out wide on the flanks, whilst Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfried Bony led the line.

Whilst Bony drew yet another blank, the 4.8-priced Iheanacho bagged his second brace in as many starts to underline his supreme budget potential. looking at the upcoming schedule dates, though, it remains to be seen whether he can retain his starting role domestically.

Considering their standing in the league and the fact that the Champions League final occurs two weeks beyond the final Gameweek, one would imagine that the Chilean boss will field his strongest XI from here on out. Indeed, next weekend’s home match against Arsenal looks vital – a victory over the Gunners would allow the Etihad side to reclaim third spot by virtue of superior goal difference. Given that the Arsenal clash takes place four days after their trip to Spain, Pellegrini may well opt for a 4-2-3-1 set-up against Arsene Wenger’s side, allowing De Bruyne to tuck in behind Aguero in what will be the Chilean’s final home match in charge before leaving City at the end of the season.

Foxes on the Verge of Title

Leicester City came from behind to share the spoils at Old Trafford as they drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

Wes Morgan restored parity for the visitors in the 17^th minute, bagging his second goal in five outings. The Foxes captain remains a viable route into a rearguard that’s mustered eight clean sheets in 10 home outings and next hosts an Everton side that drew blanks in three of their last four road clashes.

Danny Drinkwater bagged the assist for Morgan’s leveler (his third in five starts) before being sent off after picking up two yellow cards against the Red Devils. Given that Leicester lost (away to Liverpool) one of the two match-ups that the England International has missed this term, it remains to be seen whether Andy King will serve as an adequate stand-in, with Drinkwater set to serve a one-match ban.

Indeed, Claudio Ranieri will be hoping no further action is taken against Drinkwater – according to reports, he may face the FA’s wrath for a bust-up with the referee after being dismissed. Potentially, he could receive a two-match suspension in a similar situation to Jamie Vardy, who is now back in the mix to face the Toffees next weekend.

Martial in the goals

Man United failed to capitalise on results elsewhere as their six-match home winning streak was terminated by the league leaders.

Anthony Martial delivered the opening blow, netting his second goal in five league outings. With regards to his form across all competitions, the Frenchman has accrued five goals and two assists in 10 fixtures, rendering him the choice source of attacking coverage for the Red Devils’ double Gameweek 37 (nor & whu).

Antonio Valencia started at right-back and notched his second assist in three starts. Nonetheless, the former Wigan man remains a rotation risk with Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Matteo Darmian waiting in the wings, ensuring that David De Gea and Chris Smalling are still the only sure-fire defensive starters as United push for a Champions League slot.

Reports suggest than Marouane Fellaini could face retrospective action from the FA for an alleged elbowing incident involving Leicester’s Robert Huth. The altercation was missed by the referee and could potentially see the Belgian face a three-match ban for violent conduct if found guilty.

Ayew brace sweeps Reds aside

Swansea City rebounded from two heavy defeats with a commanding 3-1 win over Liverpool’s second-string unit.

Handed the lone striker role in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Andre Ayew banished a run of nine successive blanks with a brace at the Liberty Stadium – boosting his tally to 10 goals for the season – while Jack Cork (goal) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (assist) also etched their names onto the scoreboard. Although the latter’s 8% ownership will be content retaining a player that posted just two blanks in his previous nine starts, the Swans’ remaining two fixtures (whu, MCI) deter new investors at a time where shopping for double Gameweek assets is a clear priority.

Klopp rings the changes again

Jurgen Klopp made numerous alterations to his line-up as the Reds were outclassed by a more experienced outfit.

Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge were the only notable inclusions in Liverpool’s starting XI, with the likes of Simon Mignolet, Roberto Firmino and James Milner earning the afternoon off.

Christian Benteke emerged from the bench for the second period and grabbed a consolation goal (courtesy of a Sheyi Ojo assist), strengthening his case for further minutes during the run-in (WAT & CHE, wba).

Left-back Brad Smith was dismissed for two bookable offences, perhaps decreasing Alberto Moreno’s rotation risk next time out, though Klopp could also utilise Clyne on the left.

Given that Liverpool face off against Villarreal in the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday, Klopp may well employ a similar level of rotation for a home encounter against Watford just three days later – particularly if the Merseysiders progress past the La Liga outfit. Indeed, bearing in mind that the Europa League final takes place just three days after Liverpool’s Gameweek 38 trip to West Bromwich Albion, an exit to the Spanish side on Thursday evening looks the most welcome outcome for Fantasy managers ahead of double Gameweek 37, with rest and rotation looming large over Klopp’s team.