Scout Notes – Gameweek 33 – Saturday

Juan Mata grabs two goals and an assist as United hammer Newcastle at St James’ Park. Edin Dzeko maintains his impressive recent form as City sweep Southampton aside. Jason Puncheon is at the double in Palace’s win at Cardiff, West Brom’s Morgan Amalfitano scores for the second game in succession, whilst Mohamed Salah stars for Chelsea as Jose Mourinho opts to use Eden Hazard off the bench.

City’s Main Men Run Riot
Manuel Pellegrini maintained his 4-2-3-1 formation for the visit of Southampton, with David Silva tucked in behind Edin Dzeko once again. Both players picked up the points in the 4-1 victory – Silva earned an assist, whilst the Bosnian delivered a goal and assist before making way just after the hour mark. Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure grabbed a goal apiece – the latter once again relying on spot-kick duties to deliver an 18th goal of the season – and with the likes of Jesus Navas also in the points, City’s attacking options are flourishing ahead of double Gameweek 34.

With Sergio Aguero expected to return for next week’s trip to Liverpool, Pellegrini faces a dilemma, given the current form of Dzeko up top. Bearing in mind the 7.0-priced forward has now delivered four goals and two assists in his last four, a switch to 4-4-2 is perhaps on the cards, with Silva and Nasri handed the flank roles and Navas dropping back onto the bench. After the game, Pellegrini revealed Toure has picked up a knock but is optimistic the Ivorian will recover for the weekend and expects to know more later today. At the back, uncertainty surrounds Gael Clichy’s omission from the matchday squad. The Frenchman had started three of the previous four league fixtures but failed to make the bench against the Saints – Aleksandar Kolarov grabbed an assist in the win and, with a double Gameweek up next, would certainly be back on some managers’ radars if it turns out Clichy has sustained an injury.

Rodriguez Worry for Saints
The Saints’ top scorer lasted just 26 minutes of yesterday’s loss before being forced off with a possible season-ending injury. Owned by over 16% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, Rodriguez could be set for an exodus over the next few days if Mauricio Pochettino’s worst fears are allayed – after the game, the Saints boss admitted he fears the worst:

“It is not looking good for him or looking good for the team. I can’t really know when I am going to see him again in a Southampton shirt. We need to analyse him today [Saturday] and tomorrow and know the exact nature of his injury. All the players are really affected, not just about the result and not just about the refereeing decisions but more than anything by the doubt about how severe his injury is.”

Mata Turns on the Style
After opening his account for United last weekend, the Spaniard stepped up once again in yesterday’s rout of Newcastle. With Wayne Rooney joining Robin van Persie on the sidelines, Mata seemed to thrive with the increased responsibility and – fielded in the role in “the hole” behind Javier Hernandez – grabbed two goals and an assist in the 4-0 hammering at St James’ Park. The Spaniard’s display certainly makes it crystal clear to David Moyes as to where he is best utilised and, whilst he’ll drop off the radar in light of a blank Gameweek 34, Mata will be a much sought-after asset over the final few matches, with United playing Norwich, Hull and Sunderland at Old Trafford over Gameweeks 36-37.

Amalfitano the Baggies Hero
The Frenchman scored for the second consecutive Gameweek since returning from injury as West Brom secured a vital away win at Norwich. Having struck in last week’s 3-3 draw at Cardiff, Amalfitano repeated the feat as Pepe Mel’s side moved five points ahead of the drop zone with six matches left to play. Certainly, with games against Spurs and City up next, the Midlands outfit will be hard-pushed to tempt investors, but with home encounters against West Ham and Stoke on either side of a double Gameweek 37, Amalfitano – at a mere 4.2 in FPL – could prove a real cut-price contender over the last few matches as the Baggies form (two wins and a draw in four) and fixtures improve.

Cottagers Midfielders in the Points in Vital Win at Villa
Lewis Holtby and Ashkan Dejagah continued their recent rise in form as Fulham chalked up a somewhat unexpected win at Villa Park. With the Midlands outfit still in shock over Christian Benteke’s season-ending injury, Felix Magath’s side earned a second victory in the last four to suggest they may still beat the drop. Kieran Richardson and forgotten man Hugo Rodallega grabbed the goals in the 2-1 triumph, whilst Holtby and Dejagah both supplied an assist apiece – the former now has 24 points in his last four starts, whilst Dejagah has now delivered three goals, an assist and four bonus points in six appearances under Magath. Fulham now have three home games against relegations rivals (NOR, HUL, CPL) in the final five Gameweeks to potentially save their season and both Holtby and Dejagah, at 6.2 and 4.9 in FPL, look key to their survival aspirations.

Boyd Returns to Inspire Tigers
Having served a three-match suspension, the Hull winger was afforded a rare starting berth due to Tom Huddlestone’s back problem. With one eye on next week’s FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United Steve Bruce chose to omit the former Spurs man and shift David Meyler into central midfield, allowing Boyd the left-flank berth in a return to 4-4-2 – his second goal of the season was enough to earn the Tigers victory as Steve Bruce’s side moved nine points ahead of the drop zone. Hull have now produced 10 clean sheets this season (eight at home, two on the road), but with a blank next weekend and Arsenal and Everton their remaining two visitors, further defensive returns are perhaps unlikely, given their limited number of shut-outs away from the KC Stadium.

Puncheon at the Double
Tony Pulis’ side took a major step towards safety with an emphatic win over Cardiff. Jason Puncheon was pivotal to the 3-0 triumph, grabbing two of the Eagles’ goals to leap onto Fantasy radars ahead of next week’s pair of matches against Villa and Everton. Available for just 4.9, Puncheon is firmly back in Pulis’ plans after just one start in three matches between Gameweek 28-30 – it’s also worth considering that Glenn Murray appears to have fallen out of favour up front, meaning Puncheon will also be first in line for spot-kicks when the forward is off the pitch. With a trip to West Ham and back-to-back home games against City and Liverpool immediately following the double, some may be deterred by Palace’s long-term prospects but, in the short-term, Puncheon’s appeal is clear. Elsewhere, Joe Ledley – fielded in “the hole” once again – grabbed a goal and assist, whilst at the back, Pulis’ side have now registered three clean sheets in their last four, highlighting the appeal of budget options such as Joel Ward and Julian Speroni.

Salah Stakes a Claim as Jose Rings the Changes
With one eye on the midweek Champions League clash against PSG, Jose Mourinho benched Eden Hazard and Oscar for last night’s home clash against Stoke. The Belgian had previously started every league game he has been 100% fit for – prior to yesterday, his only sub appearance all season was away to Norwich in Gameweek 8, having picked up an ankle knock prior to the Carrow Road encounter. With Hazard afforded no more than a 32-minute run-out, Mohamed Salah and Willian grabbed a goal apiece from the attacking midfield position, with the Egyptian – in his first start since arriving at Stamford Bridge – also earning an assist and maximum bonus in the 3-0 cruise. Hazard’s last three league goals have come courtesy of penalties, but with Frank Lampard on the park yesterday, the Belgian slipped back down the pecking order and watched as the veteran netted a rebound after his first penalty attempt was saved by Asmir Begovic. Hazard owners will be hoping Lampard’s missed effort will see him edge ahead for penalties over the remainder of the campaign after yesterday’s frustrating one-point return.