The Scout Mission – Gameweek 35

We look ahead to the upcoming Gameweek now, with a number of scenarios to assess. David Moyes United are on the radar at both ends of the pitch, Aaron Ramsey’s contribution for Arsenal, Sergio Aguero and David Silva’s minutes against the Baggies and the form of some flourishing budget forwards are all being keenly followed:

Mata and United’s Attack…
After sitting out Gameweek 34, United’s impending double fixture has, for once, got Fantasy managers on Red Devil alert. With Robin van Persie still fighting his way back to fitness, Wayne Rooney remains the crown jewel but, like the Dutchman, is struggling with fitness issues having suffered a recent toe injury. There’s a good chance that both Rooney and Van Persie will be missing again at Goodison on Sunday, with Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and perhaps young James Wilson given a run at the Toffees back four. That would further promote Juan Mata in our thinking ahead of Gameweek 37 – a player who has flourished in the absence of United’s two major attacking threats. The Spaniard’s three goals and pair of assists in his last two outings suggest that he’s found his feet at Old Trafford, and with doubts over the front two lingering, another notable display on Sunday would cement him in many Fantasy managers’ plans for the double Gameweek.

….and their back four…
With three Old Trafford encounters against Norwich, Sunderland and Hull to come at  after the Goodison visit, we have to be considering an unlikely move to invest in David Moyes’ rearguard. While it may sound like folly, United have kept five clean sheets in their last eight league outings – an encouraging statistic, but the uncertainty surrounding United’s teamsheet makes predicting Moyes’ likely starters at the back something of a minefield. Even Patrice Evra, so often the mainstay, has seen his start threatened by his own abject displays and a European suspension that has seen Alex Buttner take his opportunity at left-back. Chris Smalling, at just 4.6 in the Fantasy Premier League game, is a major temptation; recalled at Newcastle, he could well retain his start at Everton, having settled alongside Phil Jones in central defence. Jones looks the more secure option but Smalling’s price, with the promise of at least one Gameweek 37 start, will likely see him earn investors as Moyes looks to give his young centre-backs pitch time with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand put out to pasture.

Everton’s recovery from Palace visit…
The defeat to Tony Pulis’ in-from outfit was a hammer blow, derailing the Everton express that had previously steamed to seven straight wins and looked destined to snatch fourth place from Arsenal. The Gunners’ victory over West Ham and the Palace setback will have left Roberto Martinez’s side reeling and a victory against United looks essential. Many Fantasy managers will have seen enough of the Merseysiders’ main men now – while Kevin Mirallas notched a late goal, his security of starts remains a concern, while Romelu Lukaku’s two blanks will have seen his stock crash ahead of Sunday’s encounter. Those forced to cling to their newly acquired Everton assets will be hoping for a response and improved returns from their double Gameweek investments. Failure on Sunday would surely end the Toffees’ top four ambitions, whilst sealing the exit of their assets from our squads.

Ramsey’s Influence On Arsenal’s ambitions…
While we turn away from Everton’s resources, we’re suddenly drawn to the potential offered by Arsene Wenger’s men once again. Tuesday’s win was far from convincing but the performance of Aaron Ramsey from the bench was eye-catching and suggested that he will be installed in the starting lineup at Hull and given the platform to steer the Gunners to fourth spot over the run-in. As we mentioned in the “Frisking” round-up, Arsenal’s schedule is enviable – their last four matches would have been seen as the perfect run-in to seal the title but, instead, it has them scrambling to see off a challenge that threatens their European qualification. Ramsey’s class can see them navigate through their last four matches safely, with Fantasy managers hovering on the transfer button, ready and willing to acquire his talent for their own gain.

Monday night minutes from Silva and Aguero…
Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to take David Silva out of the firing line as he nurses an ongoing ankle problem resulted in a stuttering performance and two points dropped. The Chilean has suggested that his playmaker will make a return against the Baggies under the Etihad lights on Monday, and given the importance of the three points against another side scrapping for Premier League survival, we’d expect him to be on the teamsheet. His fitness is now firmly in question, however, with his appeal over City’s double fixtures in Gameweek 37 taking a serious dent. As for Aguero, his Gameweek 34 was limited to just over 90 minutes over the two matches – an assist providing scant returns for the wave of trades that came his way. The clash with West Brom would have been earmarked as a plum fixture by his investors and they will want to see the Argentine given more time to find form and inflict damage on Pepe Mel’s side. His potential returns could very well rely on Silva’s presence.

The strugglers ripping up the form book…
Sunderland’s unlikely point at the Etihad issued a reminder that, at this stage in the season, we cannot take anything for granted. The Black Cats’ display offered some indication that they could yet remain an unlikely source of Fantasy talent, with three home fixtures and a double Gameweek to come. Elsewhere, Fulham’s mini-revival could surprise Spurs and halt Christian Eriksen’s rise at the Lane, while Norwich have the motivation to scupper Liverpool’s seemingly relentless march on the title. While we’re unlikely to back the underdog, we have to anticipate that we’re all set to go off script and be handed further curveballs by those scrapping for survival.

The Budget Strikers’ Form…
The last couple of Gameweeks have suddenly offered Fantasy managers some viable cut-price frontmen worth considering. Two of those – Harry Kane and Hugo Rodallega – go head-to-head at the Lane on Saturday lunchtime, both players having notched in each of their previous two matches, whilst last night’s Etihad encounter saw Connor Wickham usurp Sergio Aguero and co with a brace for Sunderland. For those looking to free up cash to strengthen in midfield or maybe bring in Aguero up front, all three are available for 5.0 or less, and with some favourable home fixtures over the run-in, are staking a claim for our attention at a time when few of the mid-price forwards are delivering with any sort of consistency.