Scout Notes – Gameweek 8 – Saturday

Sergio Aguero leaves it late before firing his fifth goal of the season as City win at Villa. Hull switch back to 3-5-2 to get the better of Palace, Steven Fletcher strikes twice as Sunderland chalk up their first win of the season, Jordan Henderson bags a goal and assist as Liverpool edge past West Brom, while Gylfi Sigurdsson grabs a pair of assists as Swansea are held by a Papiss Cisse-inspired Newcastle.

Consistency the Key for Kun
Sergio Aguero bagged his fifth goal in seven league appearances in yesterday’s late kick-off to vindicate the 99,000+ transfers in last week. Whilst the Argentine is proving one of the most consistent options around, with just two blanks to date, he’s yet to rival Diego Costa as an explosive captaincy option – Aguero has only once managed to score more than six points in a Gameweek, with a total of six bonus points proving a massive hindrance when handing him the armband thus far. Edin Dzeko’s withdrawal just after the 60-minute mark in the 2-0 win saw Manuel Pellegrini move to a lone forward system and subsequently break down Aston Villa’s rearguard. The change in formation helped Yaya Toure score his first of season, and if the Chilean turns to this set-up more often, Aguero looks the only City striker we can rely on for minutes – an ideal scenario for his growing band of owners.

Pearson Shakes Things Up
Nigel Pearson opted to leave David Nugent out as he shifted formation to 4-4-2 for the clash with Burnley. The tactical switch proved a shrewd one, as both wide men were on the scoresheet – Jeffrey Schlupp grabbing the Foxes’ opening goal before Riyad Mahrez added a second – and both players will now be hopeful of keeping their place in the starting XI for next weekend’s trip to Newcastle. With more good fixtures to follow (swa, WBA, sou, SUN, qpr), investment in the Foxes’ assets, even aside from Leonardo Ulloa, looks to be a prudent move, with Schlupp’s classification as a defender and 4.5 price tag in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game significantly boosting his appeal.

Clarets Finally Find Their Shooting Boots
After a record breaking 565-minute goal drought, Burnley finally found the back of the net as goals from Michael Kightly and Ross Wallace earned them a draw against Leicester. Wallace’s 90^th minute free kick ensured that Sean Dyche’s side picked up their fourth draw of the campaign, though with Dean Marney and David Jones expected back next time around, he may struggle to retain a starting berth. Scott Arfield was in also the points for the Clarets and still the looks the most tempting option in their offensive ranks, whilst the much-maligned Lukas Jutkiewicz registered his first attacking returns of the season with an assist. Burnley will be full of optimism after their last-minute equalizer, and with three home matches in their next four (WHM, EVE, HUL), they will also be hopeful that their first victory of the season is now not too far off.

Tigers Make Easy Work of Eagles
Steve Bruce returned to a 3-5-2 set-up against Crystal Palace, a change that coincided with Hull acquiring their first win and first clean sheet since Gameweek 1. The 2-0 victory saw Mo Diame grab his third goal in his last four league fixtures, whilst Nikica Jelavic pushed his tally for the season up to four. However, with trips to Arsenal and Liverpool and a home encounter with Southampton in their next three, few, if any, are likely to go near the Tigers’ assets for now.

Midfield Trio Step Up for Liverpool
Yesterday’s 2-1 victory over West Brom saw the Reds’ attacking midfield three all pick up points – Adam Lallana opened up his account for the season with the game’s first goal, Raheem Sterling kept his stock ticking over with an assist, whilst the 6.0-priced Jordan Henderson – playing in an advanced central midfield role – stole the show with an assist, a goal and maximum bonus points. The big talking point before the game was Brendan Rodgers’ decision to drop Mario Balotelli to the bench in favour of Rickie Lambert, though neither convinced during their time on the field. Rodgers has confirmed post-match that Daniel Sturridge should be back for Gameweek 8, though, and if the Reds boss returns to a midfield diamond, Balotelli may well be set to partner Sturridge up top at Lambert’s expense.

Berahino’s Budget Appeal Intensifies
With Ulloa blanking for the second consecutive Gameweek, West Brom’s Saido Berahino is starting to make a serious claim as the best budget forward around. Available in FPL for just 5.5, the striker has notched three times in his last two appearances, and as yesterday’s display evidenced, he also has penalty duties to add to his appeal. With home clashes against the somewhat porous defences of Man United and Crystal Palace up next for the Baggies, Berahino will hold no fear, and could prove an outstanding investment for those willing to add to his current 5.5% ownership.

Black Cats Show Some Bite
Steven Fletcher grabbed two goals and an assist in his first start since Gameweek 3 as Sunderland overcame Stoke 3-1. Without a win for the season, Gus Poyet had previously spoken of needing to find a winning formula and shuffled his pack by dropping former City duo Adam Johnson and Jack Rodwell to the bench. Having been utilised as a lone striker in the Black Cats’ previous three fixtures, Connor Wickham shifted back to the wing to accommodate Fletcher and bagged a goal and an assist. The upcoming schedule is poor for Poyet’s men, however – with Southampton, Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in the next six, investment at either end of the pitch looks unlikely to prove a wise move right now.

Sigurdsson Inspires Swansea
Gylfi Sigurdsson overcame a run of three consecutive blanks to deliver two assists and a 10-point haul as the Swans were held to a 2-2 draw with Newcastle. Snapped up by over 87,000 FPL managers last week, the Icelandic international is now up to 43% ownership and returns to the summit of the midfield rankings in FPL with 44 points, having assisted five of his side’s six home goals. Garry Monk’s side have four tricky fixtures in next five to worry about (sto, eve, ARS, mci) but Sigurdsson’s owners are now likely to hold, as the 6.7-priced man still remains excellent value.

Cisse Saves Pardew’s Graces
Under-fire Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will have been thankful for the form of Papiss Cisse again yesterday as the Senegalese striker bagged a second brace in three appearances to earn the away side a Liberty draw. Cisse, still returning from a long absence after sustaining a broken knee last season, fired three shots on target for the Tynesiders as he twice dragged his side level against the Swans, and now looks assured of holding on to a starting berth ahead of summer signing Emmanuel Riviere when the Toon welcome Leicester in Gameweek 8. At just 5.9, Cisse is yet another name to be added to the growing list of budget forward options.