Scout Mission – Gameweek 28

The likely return of a pair of target men is on our agenda at Goodison this weekend. Arsenal’s fit-again playmaker and Liverpool’s forward two are also being monitored, whilst we keep one eye on the Gameweek 29 blanks this weekend as Fantasy managers assess their short-term options:

Lukaku and the threat of Mirallas rotation
The big Belgian is back and, with Lacina Traore now injured, is expected to go straight into the starting XI for Saturday’s clash with the Hammers. Whilst Lukaku’s prospects of game time look solid, there’s the worry that, with Gerard Deulofeu also injury-free, we could see Kevin Mirallas benched ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup tie with Arsenal. The young Spaniard replaced Mirallas off the bench last time around and is once again threatening to chip away at his minutes. Given Everton’s fixtures to follow, though, we need the Mirallas option in midfield.

Carroll’s Return for the happy Hammers
Having served his three-match suspension, the Hammers hitman is poised to return to the starting XI for the Goodison encounter. West Ham are already a force flowing with confidence right now and Carroll’s comeback can only bode well for Kevin Nolan, who is looking to add to his recent returns of five goals in four games. With a double Gameweek 31 still to follow, could Carroll even emerge as a third striker option in the coming weeks?

Mitroglou vs the Chelsea back four
The Greek will be expected to start for Fulham in Felix Magath’s first home game in charge and will face the ultimate test against the league’s in-form defence. We’ll be watching for his impact and further evidence of Fulham’s players being revived by Magath’s arrival – with clashes against six of their relegation rivals in the final 10 Gameweeks, the Cottagers may yet surprise us.

Jelavic and Remy at the KC
Both forwards impressed last weekend – Jelavic’s brace at Cardiff took his tally to three in as many matches, whilst Remy bagged a late winner for Newcastle at home to Villa. The duo remain firmly in the mid-price bracket and, aside from their blank Gameweek 29, have decent short-term fixtures to follow – a good performance this Saturday could bring either into consideration as a differential third forward.

Adam against Arsenal
Two goals and a pair of assists in his last four, with a Britannia brace against United, has brought the Stoke midfielder onto some managers’ radars. Stoke, of course, have a Gameweek 29 fixture to boost Adam’s prospects but the schedule thereafter suggest he could be a canny acquisition beyond the short-term – Norwich, West Ham, Villa, Hull, Newcastle and Cardiff in six of the subsequent seven may well keep Adam in our plans.

Ozil’s impact On Gunners return
The German’s thigh-injury absence saw Arsenal hammer Sunderland at the Emirates last weekend, with Tomas Rosicky excelling as his replacement. Ozil is now fit and available and, according to his manager, refreshed for the Britannia encounter. Olivier Giroud benefitted from a recent rest to produce a brace and assist against the Black Cats – can Ozil make a similar return to form or will his season continue to tail off dramatically?

The Suarez vs Sturridge show
Suarez owners have either doubled on the Liverpool strike pairing or are feeling rather fidgety about the Uruguayan as he struggles to keep pace with Sturridge. The trip to Southampton could be a turning point – while Liverpool have the blank in Gameweek 29, if they go into that with Sturridge continuing to outshine Suarez, we’re sure to see further traffic between the pair ahead of Gameweek 30. Southampton won’t be willing supporting actors in Saturday’s clash, though; this is a banana skin for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Snodgrass at Villa Park
He justified our faith with his winner against Spurs but, despite notching in two of his last three games, there are some still yet to be convinced by Snodgrass’ claims for a spot in our midfields. If he emerges from the Midlands with further returns, his appeal would seem undeniable ahead of Carrow Road meetings with Stoke and Sunderland.

The Post-Europe Swans
Can Garry Monk revive Swansea for league action against Palace following the trip to Napoli this evening? We’re starting to show interest in their squad, having seen them hit three on the road last weekend – the Welsh club have scored as many goals in two away games under Monk (four) as they managed in Michael Laudrup’s final nine road trips. Wilfried Bony is the foremost in our thoughts but if the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Pablo Hernandez and Michu can steer clear of injuries, the Swans midfield is one to monitor, too.

Kaboul and Sherwood’s midfield selection
The injury concerns are mounting for Spurs, with Michael Dawson re-installed to the Spurs back-four after briefly losing his place to Younes Kaboul in Gameweek 26. The Frenchman could be set to return this weekend, though – his availability could go some way to highlighting Sherwood’s preferred central defensive partnership. Further up the pitch, Christian Eriksen will be looking to turn on the style tonight in order to catch Sherwood’s eye ahead of Sunday’s plum home clash with Cardiff, while Paulinho will be hoping his early withdrawal away to Norwich on Sunday isn’t a sign of things to come as the new Spurs boss struggles to decide on a regular midfield.