Hull see off Brighton in the cup to set up a double Gameweek 31 with West Ham. Sergio Aguero is set to return to full training for City today, Tim Sherwood talks up Roberto Soldado’s prospects, Robert Huth is hoping for a weekend return, whilst Matej Vydra is hoping to strike up a partnership with Victor Anichebe for the Baggies:
Tigers Advance as Double Gameweek 31 is confirmed
For last night’s FA Cup Fifth Round replay against Brighton, Steve Bruce made six changes to the side that hammered Cardiff at the weekend. The Hull boss moved to a 4-4-2, with James Chester partnering Curtis Davies at centre-half, whilst Sone Aluko and Yannick Sagbo led the line as Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic are both cup-tied. After the game, Bruce revealed Tom Huddlestone, Liam Rosenior and Alex Bruce were unused subs after all three picked up knocks against the Bluebirds but is hopeful the trio will be fit for the weekend. Davies and Robert Koren were the hosts’ scorers in a 2-1 win.
The Scout Says: Minutes after the final whistle, the Premier League confirmed Hull’s Gameweek 29 clash with West Ham is postponed due to the Tigers’ FA Cup clash with Sunderland – as a result, only five fixtures will now take place in Gameweek 29. The authorities also revealed the Hammers clash has been moved to Wednesday March 26 – or Gameweek 31 to you and me. This means both clubs (along with City and United) have a double that week; Hull are set to host West Brom, whilst Sam Allardyce’s side entertain United before the Tigers midweek trip to Upton Park.
Aguero Back in Full Training for City
The Argentine is set to return to full training for City today after being sidelined for the past month with a hamstring problem. Speaking to the press, Manuel Pellegrini seemed confident Aguero will be fit enough to play some part in the weekend cup final clash against Sunderland:
“Sergio can give us all a huge lift, not just for the Capital One Cup final but for the rest of the season because, for me, he is one of the top five players in the world. He has had two long injuries but when he’s fit, he is a player who can make the difference.”
The Scout Says: With Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo misfiring, Aguero’s return can’t come soon enough for City. Pellegrini’s side have scored just three goals in five games in all competitions since their talisman limped out of the 5-1 win over Spurs back in Gameweek 23, and with back-to-back league blanks on their agenda, the City front pair are currently being offloaded in their droves. Given that Pellegrini’s side won’t return to league action until March 15, we’re now afforded time to assess Aguero’s fitness before contemplating a transfer in. With 12 matches to schedule over the last nine Gameweeks, City look in line for three doubles and investment in their main assets will be vital for the run-in. The issue, though, is the South American’s propensity for picking up injuries – Aguero has played only two of the last 10 Gameweeks now and, although his input looks crucial to his side’s title bid, there’s a chance Pellegrini will be wary of over-utilising his only consistent forward for fear of another injury.
Sherwood Backs Soldado to Deliver
The Spurs boss remains convinced Roberto Soldado will find his feet in north London after turning in another set of disappointing displays over the last week:
“We’re waiting for him to take one and then hopefully the confidence will start flooding back. He’s getting the opportunities to score but he just needs to take one. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later that he puts one in the net. It happens, strikers have a lull at times and Robbie needs to get out of this one. It’s going to take probably one off his backside for it to happen. Unfortunately he’s had another couple of chances missed, but not only him there were a few other glaring misses I thought.”
The Scout Says: Culpable in front of goal so often this season, Soldado missed a sitter in Thursday’s Europa League game against Dnipro before twice spurning chances from close-range only minutes after climbing off the bench against Norwich. The 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road was the first time Spurs have failed to score in a league match since Sherwood took the helm but they were noticeably more dangerous upon the Spaniard’s introduction after a switch to 4-4-2. Few, if any, Fantasy managers will be bold enough to punt on Soldado ahead of a weekend home clash with Cardiff – indeed, with Chelsea, Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool in the following four Gameweeks, many may even be opting to part company with Emmanuel Adebayor once the blanks have been navigated.
Vydra Praises Anichebe Link-Up
The Baggies forward is hoping to stake a claim alongside Victor Anichebe up top after the pair combined for Saturday’s late equaliser against Fulham:
“If me and Victor play together that is better for me because he is strong and I am quick. It is good for me but it’s the coach’s call. For me it is always better if I play with a strong striker. Every player wants to play in the first XI but I’m pleased I went on and made a difference. We need to all pull together for the cause.”
The Scout Says: Both Vydra and Anichebe started on the bench against the Cottagers, with Pepe Mel opting for Saido Berahino and Thievy as his preferred frontmen. The Nigerian was only fit enough for a bench role but his assist for Vydra’s strike means he has now played a part in each of West Brom’s last four goals – whilst Anichebe certainly looks set to start next time around, Vydra may yet have to rely on further minutes off the bench to prove his worth. A blank this weekend, followed by a clash with United is enough to keep us away for now, but with clashes against Swansea, Hull, Cardiff and Norwich between Gameweek 30-33, the Midlands outfit – who also have a double Gameweek to factor in – may yet be the source of unlikely differentials.
Huth on Verge of Stoke Return
The centre-half is expected to take part in a behind-closed doors friendly against Burnley later today as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury
“I would like to be available on Saturday but ultimately that will be the manager’s choice. I’ve only trained five or six times, but I’m feeling good and ready to kick on. It would be better if this friendly was Saturday, but it will do nicely.
The Scout Says: Sidelined since November with the problem, Huth’s absence has allowed Marc Wilson to play in 14 of the last 16 games in all competitions at the heart of the Stoke back-four. Given that the Staffordshire outfit have now conceded in each of the previous 11 Gameweeks, though, a return for Huth would be a real boost for this weekend’s home clash against Arsenal. Indeed, following that one, Stoke’s schedule pits them against Norwich, West Ham, Villa, Hull, Newcastle and Cardiff in six of the subsequent seven to suggest a prosperous run-in for Hughes’ side.
