The Scout Mission – Gameweek 25

As always, there’s plenty for Fantasy managers to ponder as we head towards next Saturday morning’s deadline. Here are the scenarios and line-ups we’re keeping an eye on this time around:

The Arsenal defence vs the SAS
For all the attacking talent on show, the Gunners’ title tilt has been built on the platform provided by the defence. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are yet to taste defeat as a centre-back pairing, a remarkable record that will surely be tested to the full by the potent form of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Arsenal defenders may well be benched this weekend, with Suarez and Sturridge backed with the captaincy but that’s a decision that could well backfire if Arsene Wenger’s rearguard can come through this test and give his attacking players the opportunity to seal a precious three points.

Can Wilshere really offer a mid-price option for Gunners?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s double raised an eyebrow or two but Jack Wilshere has shown in recent weeks that he is the most likely “cheap” option within Arsenal’s midfield. Before suffering another ankle setback, the scampering midfielder had returned a goal or assist in four consecutive league matches and was showing a willingness to trouble defences that suggested that he could be a regular source of points. Earlier this morning, Arsene Wenger suggested Wilshere “might be back” for the Anfield trip – if he proves his fitness in time, his role and attacking influence will come under the microscope.

Coping Without Carroll
The FA’s decision to uphold Andy Carroll’s suspension is expected to have a major impact on West Ham’s next three matches. Carroll’s influence in the 2-0 win over Swansea was clear – both as a source of assists and an imposing physical presence that buoyed and encouraged team-mates. Sam Allardyce’s side travel to Villa without him and, seemingly having to turn to Carlton Cole to lead the attack and hoping that Kevin Nolan can replicate the form he showed in tandem with Carroll on Saturday. That sounds like a big ask.

Assessing the Palace debutants
Tony Pulis’ side were amongst the busiest over the transfer window, bringing a host of midfield talent through the door to cast doubt over his starting XI. Tom Ince and Joe Ledley would seem likely to make an immediate impact on the teamsheet, with the former perhaps earmarked as a potential Fantasy target if he can begin to show the propensity for goals and assists demonstrated in the Championship with Blackpool. Scott Dann could also be of interest, perhaps not as a specific target but for how he could possibly disrupt the Damien Delaney and Danny Gabbidon central defensive partnership which has, to this point, served their Fantasy owners well.

City’s reaction to the Chelsea setback
Monday’s home defeat put City into unknown territory and now their title challenge depends on how they react to the setback. A trip to Norwich looks to be a perfect platform to stage an immediate recovery – a ground which saw them claim three points with a 4-3 win last season. The smart money will be on goals once again, with Edin Dzeko, scorer of a brace in this fixture last season, primed to lead the line, perhaps with Steven Jovetic. Indeed, Alvaro Negredo’s pitch time will be a key factor to watch for – the Spaniard was sacrificed just before the hour-mark with Chelsea, with Manuel Pellegrini remarking that he was still troubled by injury.

Lambert vs Rodriguez vs Lallana
All available for under 8.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the trio of England hopefuls produced at Craven Cottage and will go into the home clash with Stoke heavily backed to do the same once more. Both Lallana and Rodriguez have enjoyed heavy transfer traffic this week, leaving Lambert as the major differential on offer with under 8% ownership. The statistics continue to show that the 31-year-old is amongst the most consistent strikers in the league – a creator as well as a goalscorer – and, with set-pieces and spot-kicks in his locker, it could be that he outscores both Rodriguez and Lallana again to emerge as a very real option for our third striker spot.

The post Laudrup Swans
Swansea’s form going into their South Wales derby shows just a single win in ten and underlines the reasoning behind Michael Laudrup’s departure. Laudrup had a clear blueprint which dictated how his side should play, relying heavily on possession football, without offering too much direct threat to the opponent’s goal. As we saw in the defeat to West Ham last weekend, this can often see them bullied out of matches and disposed of with apparent ease. Caretaker boss Gary Monk seems unlikely to bring about an overnight transformation but Fantasy managers should be monitoring things carefully – with Michu potentially returning and Wilfried Bony still a ready-made goal threat, there is talent on show at the Liberty which could be brought to the fore by a new regime.

Can Zaha make the difference for Cardiff again?
The United loanee came off the bench to inspire Cardiff’s second half comeback against Norwich, with an assist for Craig Bellamy’s goal bringing his first Fantasy returns of the season. At just 5.4, Zaha would be a handy budget option in midfield – a more expensive alternative to the popular Craig Noone but, potentially, a more explosive option. We’ll be watching him closely at the Liberty and also noting whether his inclusion ousts Peter Whittingham to the bench.

Young over Januzaj? Really?
Was the 18-year-old rested to the bench for the last two league outings or has David Moyes really decided that Ashley Young is the better option? Injuries to both Jonny Evans and Phil Jones restricted the United boss’ changes during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke, else we’d wager we’d have seen Januzaj play some part from the bench. It’s Fulham at Old Trafford this weekend, an encounter that looks tailor-made for Januzaj and, having picked up United’s player of the month award for January, it would certainly be a puzzle should Moyes overlook him in favour of the erratic Young once again.

Mirallas and Deulofeu at the Lane
Roberto Martinez may be without the battering Romelu Lukaku to flatten defences but, in Kevin Mirallas he has an attacking player in spritely form and brimming with confidence. With the sparkling talents of Gerard Deulofeu also thought to be back in contention for the visit to Spurs, it will be interesting to see how Martinez juggles his options. Fantasy faith in Mirallas has just recovered and is in the ascendency, Deulofeu’s return may yet disrupt matters.

Oscar’s teamsheet return
Relegated to the bench to allow Jose Mourinho to shore up the midfield with Nemanja Matic and David Luiz, the Brazilian will be expected to earn a recall for the visit of Newcastle. However, with his Fantasy stock damaged by just five starts in the last nine and one 90 minute appearance since Gameweek 10, Oscar will need to overshadow Eden Hazard and the emerging force that is Willian to convince his owners to hold firm for too much longer.