Arriving later than a Kaboul equaliser, here’s my Scout Notes from the weekend, beefed up by some cheeky tidbits from the week’s Champions League games.

I’ve got to start at Fratton Park where Benjani rammed by doubting words down my throat by hitting a hat-trick while Kanu nursed his wounds on the sidelines. The Portsmouth lineup was as predicted with Kranjcar once again keeping Taylor on the bench. If he holds his place, he could be a decent proposition given his role at set-pieces and Pompey’s free-scoring nature. Benjani meanwhile must surely keep his place for Pompey’s next game with Fulham at the weekend. Their defence, previously solid over recent games, breached four times by Reading, might appear to be a risk when you consider that Portsmouth now face three of the next four fixtures on the road. After the visit to Fulham they travel to Wigan before hosting West Ham. They begin November with a visit to Newcastle. None of those games look particularly intimidating and certainly appear promise goals. Utaka then looks the best bet with doubt over the pecking order between Kanu/Benjani after Saturday.

Reading continue to ship goals and should make changes as a result for their vital home game with Derby. Fae and Convey may figure but Coppell has few options in defence aside from bringing back Bikey for Duberry. Sonko is nearing fitness but isn’t likely to return until after the International break. After Derby, Reading go to Blackburn, host Newcastle and start with Fulham away in November. Again nothing too tough amongst that lot but Reading are still struggling for form. Kitson remains the one temptation amongst their lineup.

There’s little to report from the Birmingham vs United clash with both sides lining up as expected. Birmingham have tightened up defensively over the past few weeks with just one goal conceded in the last three. This could make the likes of Ridgewell a decent proposition for a budget defender. In attack, only Kapo looks worth considering although McSheffrey is beginning to show glimpses of his potential and is getting a run of games now. Birmingham play Blackburn, City, Wigan and Everton over the next four although only the Wigan game is at home so it’s probably worth sitting back and waiting until November before considering investment here.

United are threatening to go up the gears with Ronaldo registering his first points of the season at the weekend. They have Wigan at home next followed by a trip to Villa, Boro at home and then a visit to the Emirates to begin November. Their defence remains rock solid which could mean that Gary Neville could struggle to get back in even though he’s likely to be available after the International break. Van der Sar seems set to miss the weekend game with Kuszcak likley to start as he did in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Roma. Hargreaves is sidelined for another month but Saha is likely to up his challenge to Tevez after starting against Roma. A Premiership start for him can’t be far away now even though Tevez came on to replace him on Tuesday, minutes before Rooney’s winner.

Chelsea continue to stutter in the Premiership but could turn things around after the fine Champions League win over Valencia in midweek. Drogba got the winer in that game but is now suspended for the weekend after the two yellows against Fulham. Lampard is still out of the picture but Terry played on with the cheekbone fracture and was at his inspirational best against Valencia. Significantly, Carvalho was back alongside him and his return should considerably reinforce their defence making him a new target for Fantasy Managers. Elsewhere, Belletti seems to have serious competition for his place from Ferreira. Grant again opted to change things round on Wednesday, going for the Portuguese full-back after starting with Belletti against Fulham. Wright-Phillips could be back at the weekend after missing both games, while Malouda is back in the picture after starting against Valencia. Shevchenko’s form meanwhile is dismal so Pizarro should get a start at the weekend with Drogba unavailable. Their forthcoming games offer little assistance as Grant looks to recover the title race. They face three of the next four away from Stamford Bridge with visits to Bolton, Boro and Wigan to come with a home game with City in between.

Fulham still offer some decent, cheap attacking players. Dempsey and Davies are still tempting and with three of the next four at home, this could be a time to up your interest. Sanchez’ side faces Portsmouth at the weekend then Derby at home, followed by a trip to Sunderland and Reading at home. They look like plum fixtures which should see Fulham amongst the goals. Bocanegra could also be a decent budget purchase if you fancy him from set-pieces over those games.

Derby were largely unchanged for the visit of Bolton although Jones came in for Teale in midfield while Giles Barnes made a first appearance of the season and will now threaten to start at the weekend. He could emerge as a decent buy over the coming weeks but “wait and see” is the best policy here. Aside from him only Miller and Oakley offer any potential value although Pearson is performing well and is worth monitoring. Derby have three of the next four away with Reading, Fulham, Everton and Villa to come.

Bolton started with both the O’Briens in defence which meant that Cid and Hunt were absent from the sixteen. Elsewhere they were unchanged. Wilhelmsson will threaten to start next time out having replaced Davies on the hour mark. Again, it’s only Anelka who is worth attention amongst little Sam’s lineup. However, Bolton play Chelsea and Arsenal in the next two before hosting Villa and traveling to West Ham at the start of November. A very tough run of games although Anelka is a threat regardless of opposition.

City continue to impress with Elano and Petrov sparkling against Newcastle. Both remain the leading lights in their side, along with the defence of course. Schmeichel was dropped to the bench at the weekend and Hart looks likely to keep his place until Isaksson returns after the International break. City have three of the next four at home with Boro coming next, followed by Birmingham, a visit to Chelsea and then Sunderland at home to start November. Those fixtures certainly suggest that investment in their back four along with Petrov or Elano, would be wise. Petrov in particular is reasonably priced in most games and makes a ready-made replacement for someone like Downing who is likely to struggle while Boro remain impotent in front of goal. One slight injury doubt for City could be Corluka who limped off to be replaced by Onuoha at the weekend.

Newcastle lineup up as expected with Owen still sidelined and Cacapa out with a knock. He could return to the lineup to threaten Taylor’s place next time out. Geremi earned his first assist of the season and remains the only member of their defence worth considering. Milner is still running dry but N’Zogbia could still be worth a look. Newcastle’s forthcoming fixtures certainly aren’t bad with Everton and Spurs at home next, followed by a trip to Reading and Portsmouth at home.

Sunderland handed Miller a start in place of the suspended Etuhu as expected. They were unchanged elsewhere but changes could be on the cards given the disappointing result and the return of Etuhu next time out. Fantasy pickings are sparse amongst Keane’s men whilst Edwards is sidelined and Chopra off form. Their fixtures don’t help matters – three of the next four are away as they go to Arsenal, West Ham and City with a home game against Fulham in between.

Their opponents Blackburn rang the changes with Hughes dropping Savage, Gamst-Pedersen and McCarthy with Tugay, Mokoena and Derbyshire all starting. Pedersen was on the bench and came on after the hour but McCarthy wasn’t in the sixteen. Hughes has since commented that there are no issues with the player and he could recall him for the UEFA Cup tie tomorrow. Indeed, Hughes’ team tomorrow night will be very interesting and the best indicator of his lineup for the weekend. Blackburn trail 2-0 in the tie so he seems likely to opt for experience which should see recalls for his three notable absentee’s at the weekend. With Nelson absent for the next few games, Blackburn’s defence seems unattractive. Bentley appears to have found some form and remains tempting as does Santa Cruz who has shown some consistent Fantasy scoring. McCarthy, like Andy Johnson at Everton, has been a big disappointment but can’t be written off entirely as yet. Blackburn’s fixtures indicate that there could be some value in their attacking players. They face three of the next four opponents at Ewood with Birmingham and Reading next. They travel to Spurs at the end of October and then kick-off the new month with a home game with Liverpool.

Freddie Ljungberg returned to the West Ham lineup against his former club. Etherington dropped out of the sixteen with a knock and Bellamy was still sidelined so Camara started with Ashton once again. Gabbidon made his first appearance of the season for Ferdinand who hobbled off early in the second-half. Parker also made his first start of the season but broke down at half-time and was replaced by Mullins. The defence has been breached in the last two games after showing some form and uncertainty about the centre-back partner for Upson may need to be sorted before they are worth a look in this department. Green continues to impress in goal for a budget keeper but Ashton remains the most likely signing. His form is good, and a likely England recall will boost his confidence further. However, he may need Bellamy alongside him for a run of games before he hits his richest vein of Fantasy form. The Hammers forthcoming fixtures looked fairly kind with Villa, Sunderland, Portsmouth and Bolton to come in the next month.

There’s not a lot left to be said about Arsenal. Without doubt the main source for Fantasy Managers right now. Eboue did eventually take up a midfield role in this game after Hleb went off injured. He then started in this position in last night’s Champions League game. He could now get a run of games here and is worth monitoring. Adebayor went off with a slight knock in this game but lined up alongside Van Persie in the Champions League last night. Gilberto is being kept out of the side by a resurgent Flamini. Arsenal’s forthcoming aren’t easy but it’s difficult to bet against Wenger’s men regardless. Three of the next four come at the Emirates with Sunderland next, followed by Bolton and then an away trip to Anfield and a home game against United.

Wigan were forced into a couple of changes at home to Liverpool with Granqvist only fit enough to take a place on the bench. Boyce came in at centre-back alongside Bramble. Sibierski was also out with a knock so Aghahowa started alongside Bent. Their goal output has dried up somewhat. Just three goals in the last five Premiership games tells the tale and they are clearly hindered without the presence of Heskey. Koumas continues to offer some value in midfield though, once again earning bonus points in the Premier League game despite another defeat. Injuries are beginning to clear for Hutchings’ side who should have Valencia back at the weekend, while Ryan Taylor was back on the bench for this game. The next month’s games look tough. They travel to Old Trafford at the weekend, followed by Portsmouth at home, Birmingham away and then start November by visiting Chelsea.

Rafa started with Torres and Kuyt as expected against Wigan. The only real surprise was the selection of Aurelio at left-back, an appearance that was cut short by injury which saw Benayoun’s introduction and Riise’s move back into defence. Aurelio’s inclusion kept Finnan out of the side, although he was back for Liverpools Champions League defeat to Marseille. Significantly that match saw Arbeloa dropped the bench, the first time he hasn’t started this season. It’s clear then that Aurelio’s availability has opened up brand new options for Rafa’s rotation of his side. Benayoun got the nod over Pennant against Marsaille, while Crouch started for Kuyt. The result of that game, and the lackluster performance will do nothing for their chances of starting at the weekend however. The inclusion of Sebastian Leto on Wednesday was unexpected, athough he was withdrawn for Riise before the hour mark so seems unlikely to threaten a start next time out.

The next few games don’t look easy for Liverpool. Spurs visit Anfield on Saturday and then Liverpool have the derby game against Everton. They then host Arsenal before visiting Blackburn. Torres will tempt some despite the risk of roation. Gerrard meanwhile is another big disappointment thus far. Benayoun is the form player but not assured of a start by any means. The back four remains attractive but now even Arbeloa has some risk of being rotated. Carragher and Reina are the dependable targets in the lineup with Aurelio is also worth watching to see how prolific his appearances are. He is a contributor from set pieces and can provide a good quota of assists when selected.

Sunday’s game saw Everton take on Boro. Moyes made changes again – keeping Stubbs in the defence after the Carling Cup clean sheet. Yobo’s illness made it easy to keep him on the bench where he could stay at the weekend given Lescott’s run of form in terms of goals. Arteta was fit once more and as influential as ever in the 2-0 win, although somehow, not influential enough to gain any bonus points in the Fantasy Premier League game. McFadden kept his place with Johnson failing a fitness test on his groin injury. Everton have a so-so next few games with a visit to Newcastle this weekend, followed by the derby with Liverpool, a visit to Derby and then a home game with Birmingham. Arteta and Lescott are predictable targets in their side, although Lescott’s place is by no means assured while Stubbs is in the picture, even with his goal contributions. Johnson and Yakubu continue to fail to deliver on their promise from last season and remain unattractive options.

Boro are having a miserable run, suffering their third successive defeat without a goal. The fitness of Mido, Tuncay and Aliadiere is a major concern and is not going to help Downing’s Fantasy contribution, despite the England midfielder having a decent haul of points so far. Arca’s absence has also robbed them of a creative influence and their forthcoming fixtures offer little promise of improvement. City, Chelsea, United and Spurs is a possibly the toughest selection of opponents that any side face in the next month. As mentioned previously then, it could be time to clear the decks of Downing with Petrov looking so tempting given his form and City’s fixtures.

Spurs continue to ship goals at one end, whilst banging them in at the other just as they did last term. Jol’s lineup seems pretty consistent with Keane and Berbatov once again preferred against Villa. Bale has settled in at left-back in the last two matches. Huddlestone and Zokora shared a pitch for the first time as Malbranque was dropped to the bench. Jenas failed to shake off a knock to make this game. The front two are the big points scorers even with the threat of Bent and Defoe looming. Elsewhere, Jenas could be worth a look once fit and Kaboul is contributing the goal threat which Dawson only hinted at last season. Bale is, as always, worth a punt but less so now he’s been pushed to left-back. The fixtures over the next month aren’t kind with three matches away from White Hart Lane. Jol could be out of a job by the time the whistle blows at Anfield at the weekend. After that they travel to Newcastle, host Blackburn and then vsit Boro. With managerial changes looking likely, its fair to say that now may not be the time to invest, even in Berbatov or Keane.

Finally Villa made one change to their lineup with Gardner replacing Carew. Agbonlahor went up front wth Luke Moore. Laursen was the star of the show for Villa with two goal from the back and remains a decent proposition from their defence. Agbonlahor meanwhile, along with Barry, are likely to continue to get some attention from Fantasy Managers particularly as Villa have three of four at home. Luke Moore is yet to get off the mark but I still have an inkling he could seize his opportunity in the next few games. They play West Ham next, followed by United and then a trip to Bolton. They start November at home to Derby.