Sergio Aguero scores twice as Argentina see off Bosnia. Kevin Mirallas is amongst the goals for Belgium. Per Mertesacker heads Germany’s Wembley winner, Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen is ruled out with an ankle injury, Phil Jones may miss United’s trip to Cardiff, while the defensive worries grow for Sam Allardyce ahead of Chelsea’s weekend visit:
Fit-Again Mertesacker Grabs the Wembley Winner
Recovered from the flu virus that forced him out of Arsenal’s loss at United, the big centre-half headed home the only goal of the game last night as Germany edged a 1-0 win at Wembley.
The Scout Says: Mertesacker’s strike brings him back on Fantasy radars ahead of a kind run of games for the league leaders. The Gunners have three home fixtures in the next four in addition to a trip to Cardiff – Mertesacker has produced 27 FPL points over five home fixtures, (5.4 points per game) compared to 15 points in four road trips (3.75 points per game); given that Arsene Wenger’s side have earned a clean sheet in each of the last two with the German in the XI, he could well be set for a climb up the defender standings if he continues in the same vein.
Aguero at the Double
The City forward continued his outstanding season by grabbing both goals for Argentina in a 2-0 win over Bosnia yesterday. Aguero was replaced by Tottenham’s Erik Lamela late in the second-half for the victors, while his City team-mates Pablo Zabaleta and Edin Dzeko, along with Stoke’s Asmir Begovic, all managed the full 90 minutes.
The Scout Says: Yesterday’s result warms Aguero up nicely for what is undoubtedly a tough weekend encounter at home to Spurs. The Argentine has racked up five goals, five assists and nine bonus points over five Etihad appearances but Andre Villas-Boas’ side have conceded just once in five road trips – Sunday’s clash looks a real test of his armband credentials. Despite averaging over 10 points per home appearance, he sits just third in the Captain Poll, with the visitors’ resilience a real deterrent for many this week.
Mirallas Nets in Belgium Loss
The Everton midfielder was amongst the goals as his country slipped to a second consecutive defeat over the break. Mirallas was one of seven Premier League starters for Belgium – with Christian Benteke rested after picking up a knee knock, Mirallas’ Everton team-mate Romelu Lukaku was handed the chance of leading the line and supplied the assist for the wide man’s opener in a 3-2 defeat.
The Scout Says: Mirallas’ display will hearten Roberto Martinez as the Toffees attempt to rediscover their goal touch ahead of a tough run of fixtures. Despite starting the first 11 Gameweeks on the right of the Everton front three, Mirallas has found the net just once, while Lukaku, after a promising opening few matches, has netted once in the last four. With Liverpool, United and Arsenal in the next four, Martinez will be hoping the duo can replicate their form on the domestic stage, with clean sheets looking hard to come by over that run of games.
Rat Worry for Hammers
Sam Allardyce was afforded further reason for concern last night as another Razvan Rat was forced off midway through Romania’s home draw with Greece. The match, which saw the hosts eliminated from next year’s tournament in Brazil, saw Spurs’ Vlad Chiriches return from a facial injury ahead of Sunday’s trip to City.
The Scout Says: Allardyce will be anxiously awaiting news of the left-back’s withdrawal as the defensive worries continue to mount ahead of the weekend visit of Chelsea. With Winston Reid ruled out due to an ankle injury and doubts over James Collins and Joey O’Brien, the Hammers backline could be severely under-strength as they attempt to recover from the previous Gameweek’s loss at Norwich. If both O’Brien and Rat fail to make it, Allardyce could turn to George McCartney, who has stepped up his recovery from a knee injury with appearances for the reserves in recent weeks, though a lack of match sharpness means it’s uncertain whether Allardyce would hand him a starting role against Jose Mourinho’s side.
Eriksen Sidelined with Ankle Problem
Tottenham have confirmed their summer signing from Ajax faces a spell on the sidelines with the ankle injury picked up on recent international duty for Denmark. As rumours began to surface of possible lengthy absence, the club released a statement on their official website to set the record straight, with reports suggesting s four-week absence is the likeliest scenario:
“Following an MRI scan on Monday it has been determined that Christian Eriksen suffered a sprain of the lateral ankle ligaments playing for Denmark against Norway on Friday. The scan showed no sign of ruptured ligaments which will result in a shorter period of recovery for the attacking midfielder.”
The Scout Says: Having only just returned to the first-team, Eriksen’s absence leaves the role in “the hole” up for grabs over the next month or so. While this could offer the likes of Erik Lamela, Lewis Holtby or Gylfi Sigurdsson the chance to nail down a central berth, back-to-back matches with City and United will prove plenty deterrent – as will Tottenham’s dire record of nine goals in the first 11 Gameweeks. Potentially, a month on the sidelines would see the Dane miss six league fixtures due to the busy festive schedule but a return for Gameweek 18 on December 26 would be perfectly timed ahead of three home games in four (WBA, STO, CPL). With rotation likely to be high around that period, however, the Dane may be off Fantasy radars until the busy upcoming schedule has passed.
Jones Struggling with Groin Injury
The United utility man could be set for a brief spell in the treatment room, according to reports yesterday. Jones is struggling to overcome the groin complaint that forced him off during England’s defeat to Chile last Friday and may be out for the next 10 days – such a scenario would see him miss Sunday’s visit to Cardiff and also raise doubts over his availability for the following Gameweek’s trip to Tottenham.
The Scout Says: With Michael Carrick already ruled out for four-to-six weeks due to an Achilles problem, United’s options in the centre of midfield are somewhat limited. David Moyes may opt to pair Tom Cleverly with Marouane Fellaini in Jones’ absence, whilst at the back, Jonny Evans’ security of starts looks ever-stronger on the back of this news – the Northern Ireland international has now started five of the last six and at 5.0 could be set for increased investment as the fixtures start to pick up after the Spurs clash.
McGregor Could Return This Weekend
The Hull keeper has stepped up his injury recovery over the international break and could be in line for a quick return to action at home to Palace. McGregor was expected to be sidelined until early December with a thigh injury but his manager revealed yesterday:
“We’re hopeful Allan can be ready. He’s been able to train as normal, saving and taking crosses, but it’s just his kicking that we’re careful of. That’s where the problem was to start with but he’s been feeling a lot better with it. We’ll be testing him towards the end of the week before we make a decision but he’s certainly in our thoughts.”
Bruce also expects James Chester back in training over the next few days as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem. Chester is likely to miss out on this weekend’s home game against Palace, though, due to a lack of match fitness, with his manager somewhat reluctant to hurry him back after the decision to rush Robbie Brady into action after a hernia problem somewhat backfired.
The Scout Says: A potential return would be welcome news for McGregor’s 6% of FPL owners this weekend. The Tigers have conceded just once at home all season – the Scot’s save points have helped him earn bonus every time his side have produced a clean sheet at home, with an average of seven points per game over four appearances in front of his own fans…With the likes of Paul McShane, Abdoulaye Faye and Alex Bruce all offering alternatives alongside Curtis Davies at centre-half, Bruce can clearly afford to take his time in ensuring Chester returns 100% match fit. Hull then face Liverpool and Arsenal in back-to-back matches suggesting that, even if he comes back next week, Chester will be warming Fantasy benches once again until the Tigers’ next home fixture against Stoke in Gameweek 16.
