Danny Welbeck scores twice as England sweep aside Slovenia. Roy Hodgsonβs is optimistic on Phil Jagielkaβs leg problem. Everton deliver some positive news on Leighton Bainesβ hamstring. Mario Balotelli picks up a groin injury in training for Italy, whilst Mathieu Debuchy edges towards his Arsenal comeback.
Welbeck Bags a Brace
Handed a role up front alongside Wayne Rooney, the Arsenal striker cast aside his indifferent league form to score twice in a 3-1 win over Slovenia. Rooneyβs spot-kick duties helped him get amongst the goals, whilst Raheem Sterling earned an assist for Roy Hodgsonβs side.
The Scout Says: With Olivier Giroud returning to training for the Gunners, Welbeck will need to carry that form into the Gameweek 12 clash against former club United to stave off the challenge from the Frenchman. He has now scored 10 goals in 17 starts in all competitions this season βΒ sadly for Arsenal and his Fantasy owners, only two of Welbeck’s goals have arrived in the Premier League from nine starts. Given that Arsene Wenger has recently rolled out a 4-4-2, Giroudβs physical presence certainly offers an alternative alongside the free-scoring Sanchez, and with the Gunners boss previously hailing Welbeckβs versatility, a possible shift out wide in the future would force his 16% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners to think twice over retaining his services. The Gameweek 12 clash with United looks vital for Welbeck’s FPL ownership.
Balotelli Out of Italy Squad
The Liverpool striker has been ruled out of international duties after picking up groin and hamstring problems during training with Italy. The Italian FA confirmed Balotelliβs omission was more a precautionary measure, suggesting the issue isnβt overly concerning ahead of the Redsβ trip to Palace next weekend.
The Scout Says: These concerns surrounding Balotelli’s fitness are more than countered by the potential return of Daniel Sturridge. The England striker has stepped up his recovery and could be set to strengthen his managerβs options for the Selhurst Park encounter in Gameweek 12. Sturridge and Balotelli have only played once together β in Liverpoolβs most impressive performance of the season back in Gameweek 3 away to Spurs β before injury curtailed the formerβs season. Given that Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have both started just one league match apiece this term β even in Sturridgeβs absence β it may well be that if Balotelli is out, Rodgers will continue with a lone striker system until the Italian is fit and available. Such a scenario could continue to frustrate Raheem Sterling owners, then β the youngster seems best suited to the role in βthe holeβ behind a front two but has had little opportunity to display his talents in a central role thus far.
Baines Concerns Lessen
Fears over a possible period of absence for the Everton left-back look to have eased after scans revealed the hamstring problem sustained during England training isnβt as bad as first reported. Indeed, the Toffees offered some encouraging news via a statement on their official website:
“He returned to Finch Farm for an assessment which has since showed that he has sustained a βgrade oneβ hamstring injury β the least significant on the scale of such injuries. Baines will continue to be monitored by Evertonβs medical team and, although he remains a doubt for next Saturday, he has not yet been ruled out of the game against Sam Allardyceβs Hammers.”
The Scout Says: Positive news for Roberto Martinez and Fantasy managers alike, then, and given Bainesβ injury history, weβll be expecting a quick return to action. The left-back has only missed 12 league matches over the previous five seasons, though the addition of European matches is clearly extending him this term β Baines is one of only four outfield players to have started all four of Evertonβs Europa League matches thus far. As we discussed yesterday, Baines is the second most popular defender in FPL after serving up a goal or assist in seven of the last nine, and such a level of consistency will surely persuade his owners to hold if the worst-case scenario turns out to be a return in Gameweek 13.
Hodgson Hopeful on Jagielka
The England manager confirmed that Evertonβs centre-half was forced off with a dead leg towards the end of last nightβs win but is optimistic Jagielka will be available to face Scotland on Tuesday.
The Scout Says: Bearing in mind that both John Stones and Antolin Alcaraz are injured for the Toffees, a stint on the sidelines for Jagielka would leave Sylvain Distin as the only experienced centre-half available. Jagielka has played every minute of the season so far and has already netted twice β despite being overshadowed by Baines, he currently sits on 48 points in the FPL game, level with Branislav Ivanovic. With Hodgsonβs words allaying concerns, though, a quick return to action means Jagielka may yet appear on some radars ahead of clashes with West Ham, Spurs, Hull and QPR in the next five.
Schneiderlin Worry for Saints
The Southampton midfielder has been ruled out of Franceβs friendly against Sweden on Tuesday evening after undergoing scans on his right adductor. Schneiderlin, who was afforded 10 minutes as a late sub during Fridayβs draw with Albania, will now return to St Maryβs for further assessment ahead of the weekend trip to Villa.
The Scout Says: Schneiderlin has played every minute of the season so far for Ronald Koemanβs side so a potential absence would be a bitter blow for the Saints. Whilst a total of three goals and an assist has persuaded 17% of FPL managers to snap up his services, the Frenchmanβs industrious displays in front of the back-four have also played a major part in delivering seven clean sheets in the opening 11 Gameweeks. With the Saints set to face City, Arsenal, United and Everton in four of the five fixtures directly after their Villa Park visit, an absence for Schneiderlin would place further questions over his sideβs ability to retain their resilience over that testing schedule.
Diouf Fires Senegal Into Finals
Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf headed Senegal into Januaryβs African Cup of Nations by grabbing the match-winner in a 1-0 victory over Algeria yesterday. Southamptonβs Sadio Mane and West Ham midfielder enforcer Cheikhou Kouyate also started and, along with Papiss Cisse and Diafra Sakho, are amongst those whoβll be missing from domestic duties in a couple of monthsβ time.
The Scout Says: The tournament takes place from January 17 until February 8, or Gameweeks 22-24 to you and I. Depending on their nationβs progress, the likes of Sakho, Kouyate and Mane could potentially miss Gameweek 25, when West Ham and Southampton go head-to-head on February 10. Certainly, Sakhoβs absence would likely have the biggest impact from a Fantasy perspective, though the tournament also comes at a time where the fixture list stiffens for West Ham β Sam Allardyceβs side face Liverpool, United, Southampton, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal between Gameweek 23 and 29, suggesting many will be keen to part company during that spell..
Debuchy Nears Gunners Comeback
The Arsenal right-back has confirmed he could be back in action next month as he steps up his recovery from an ankle injury. Speaking to the clubβs official website, Debuchy went on to say:
“My injury is now better. I work hard every day with the physio and I want to be back on the pitch in December. Iβm looking forward to it.”
The Scout Says: A return to action would immediately place question marks over Calum Chambersβ pitch time at right-back, bearing in mind Debuchy started the first four Gameweeks before succumbing to injury. Now down to 5.2 in FPL, the Frenchman seems likely to reclaim his starting berth on the right, then, though the continued absence of Laurent Koscielny could allow the versatile Chambers to partner Per Mertesacker in the centreΒ of the back-four until the injuries finally clear. As we saw in Gameweeks 3 and 4, though, the 17%-owned Chambers may face a tough task to retain his role once Wenger has a full quota of defenders to choose from, though it remains to be seen just how quickly Koscielny can recover from an ongoing Achilles complaint that has now kept him on the sidelines for the last four Gameweeks.
