Scout Mission – Gameweek 33

Our Thursday lunchtime regular has many scenarios to consider for the weekend. City’s in-form forward ahead of next week’s double, Tottenham’s response to the Liverpool hammering, Gus Poyet’s use of Adam Johnson’s talents, Jordan Mutch’s showing against Palace and Jose Mourinho’s choice of frontman for the home clash with Stoke are all on this week’s menu:

The Edin Dzeko option
Having teed up David Silva for City’s strike at the Emirates, the big Bosnian continues to tick over as a Fantasy option. Dzeko has delivered three goals and an assist in his last trio of appearances now and is flourishing up front as Manuel Pellegrini keeps faith in a lone striker system in light of Sergio Aguero’s injury absence. With two doubles and five very favourable home games remaining, Dzeko – at just 6.9 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game – can expect to see significant investment if the Argentine remains out; indeed, even if Aguero returns, there’s still every chance his current form will ensure he’s retained in the starting XI, with Pellegrini perhaps turning to a 4-4-2 to take advantage of those Etihad showdowns.

Sherwood’s Attack
Spurs may be licking their wounds after last week’s Anfield mauling but they have the fixtures to bounce back and end the season strongly. First up is a home encounter with Sunderland on Monday evening – Christian Eriksen is back on our radars after an 18-point haul in his previous appearance at the Lane, whilst Emmanuel Adebayor has returned to training and is expected to lead the line against the Black Cats. Both have dropped significantly in price and ownership after many parted company due to the recent double Gameweek – coming in at 6.5 and 7.6 and owned by less than 5% of Fantasy managers, Eriksen and Adebayor look ready-made differentials for the run-in if Sherwood can inspire a response to Sunday’s humiliation on Merseyside.

United’s left-back at Newcastle
Alex Buttner has played three of the last four for United, admittedly due in no small part to Patrice Evra’s suspension for the Champions League first leg with Bayern. Nevertheless, Evra’s omission from the squad for the victory over Aston Villa last weekend was a surprise and would suggest that David Moyes may well be considering Buttner in the role for the remainder of the season. Evra’s future at Old Trafford looks uncertain to say the least, with Moyes’ pursuit of a replacement set to intensify in the summer following his attempts in January to prise Leighton Baines from his former club. Buttner may well be given further opportunity to stake his claim for the shirt and, if that proves to the be the case, Fantasy managers will surely take notice for United’s favourable final few fixtures.

Will Moyes target Bayern?
While there is some doubt over the pecking order at left-back, United’s entire lineup for the visit to St James’ Park could be in doubt given the significance of next Wednesday’s trip to Germany. With the tie in the balance, Moyes could easily put focus on the midweek date, preserving key men for the clash with the Magpies. With Moyes seemingly putting faith in both Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia for the wide roles in Europe and Juan Mata set to be tucked inside once more, the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Shinji Kagawa, Ashley Young and Nani would seem set to compete for starts on Saturday. Javier Hernandez could also be in the hat for pitch time, with Danny Welbeck’s legs spared weekend exertion.

Adam Johnson’s pitch time
The mercurial winger has almost single-handedly carried the creativity and threat for the Black Cats for the past few months. The stats show that Johnson has scored or assisted ten of the 11 goals scored whilst he’s been on the pitch in 2014 – this makes Gus Poyet’s decision to omit him from the starting lineup in Monday night’s defeat to West Ham all the more mystifying. Despite the dalliance with 3-5-2 from the Black Cats’ boss, Johnson will surely make a return to the starting lineup at White Hart Lane, with his Fantasy owners clinging to the hope that Johnson’s goal and performance from the bench will make him essential for the trip to north London. If Poyet keeps faith with the 3-5-2, though, Phil Bardsley and Marcos Alonso’s prospects take on greater significance in our assessment – the latter, owned by 0.1% of FPL managers, fired seven attempts on goal against West Ham last Monday and is clearly one to monitor.

Will Rodgers continue to go on the attack?
The decision to recall Raheem Sterling for the defensively minded Joe Allen against Tottenham saw Liverpool fire four goals, with the speedy attacker putting in another superb performances. Sterling’s owners will have been frustrated by Sunday’s blank but delighted to see their man earn a recall and deliver a display that would make him likely to retain his start at West Ham. It remains to be seen if Rodgers will oblige or turn back to Allen in anticipation of a midfield battle.

Can Jordan Mutch repay the investment?
With three goals in two matches and a trio of 10+ hauls in his last four appearances, interest in Cardiff’s budget option has rocketed ahead of a potentially plum fixture with Crystal Palace. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are not short of attacking intent, furiously plugging the holes at the back with goals. Mutch’s raids from midfield are integral to that attacking threat, and with the schedule falling kindly, his bandwagon can surely only gather pace if he can deliver again come Saturday’s encounter.

Jose’s Solution to Chelsea’s Struggles Up Front
The Blues boss turned to Andre Schurrle for last night’s Champions League clash with PSG after another insipid showing from Fernando Torres in Saturday’s loss at Palace. With Samuel Eto’o still sidelined due to a hamstring problem, Mourinho’s barbed post-match comments merely underlined his lack of faith in the Spaniard and Demba Ba – such a public condemnation suggests he could keep faith with Schurrle once again for the home clash with Stoke. A Gameweek 36 trip to Anfield aside, Chelsea’s fixtures remain very kind for the run-in – Schurrle, priced at 6.6 and listed as a midfielder, would leap onto Fantasy radars if he continues up front against the Potters