Scout Mission – Gameweek 17

There are a number of topics on our Thursday lunchtime menu as we assess the weekend’s fixtures. City’s striker-less formation, Tottenham’s in-form pair at home to Burnley, Leighton Baines’ output at St Mary’s and Robin van Persie’s display at Villa are all on our agenda.

City’s False Nine…
With injury concerns up front blighting his festive planning, Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that he is set to trial a false nine formation during training this week ahead of City’s home encounter with Palace. Fantasy managers are now eagerly awaiting to see which one of David Silva (8.8), Samir Nasri (8.2) or James Milner (5.4) will become the protagonist over the festive period – clearly, at that price, Milner’s stock would rise considerably if his manager hands him the chance. Pellegrini’s midfield could hold the key to a prosperous festive period for Fantasy managers and with the fixtures smiling so kindly (CPL, wba, BUR, SUN), his weekend teamsheet is eagerly awaited.

Van Persie’s Renaissance…
Four goals and two assists in his last four appearances, including three double figures hauls, has seen Robin van Persie finally suggest that he can deliver on his premium price tag after a faltering first few months of the season. The Dutchman has even earned himself a price rise to 12.6 this week, with almost 39,000 managers turning to his services, and the pressure is now firmly on to provide further reward. United roll up to Villa Park in search of a seventh successive win and with Wayne Rooney shifted into midfield last week, the 6%-owned Van Persie’s return to prominence could fire him out of the differential bracket and rival Diego Costa as our premium priced forward of choice in the absence of City’s Sergio Aguero.

Bony on the Road…
In spite of his excellent season, the Swansea striker’s form away from home remains a cause of concern. Granted, Bony has scored three times on his travels – netting in three of his last four– but one look at the underlying stats shows that he’s produced just four shots on target outside of the Liberty, compared to 15 in front of his own fans. Last Sunday’s strike against Spurs has earned him almost 50,000 new owners this week but with three of his next four fixtures away from home (hul, AVL, liv, qpr), the Ivorian needs to up his threat outside of Wales before he leaves for the African Cup of Nations.

The Austin Home Banker…
With goals in his last four Loftus Road meetings, and fully refreshed after missing out in Gameweek 16 due to suspension, the heat is on for Charlie Austin to deliver yet again when QPR welcome West Brom to London on Saturday. Austin’s Fantasy owners will hope and expect him to produce the goods against the Baggies, though the Midlanders arrive with just seven goals against on their travels – no other side has conceded less away from home. Austin’s exploits in front of his own fans look key to the R’s survival and with Palace and Swansea also rolling up to Loftus Road in the subsequent three, the 6.0-priced frontman has the chance to build momentum as we head into the New Year.

The Magpies Blip…
Having steadied the ship and racked up six successive wins over autumn, Alan Pardew’s side are starting to flounder again. Newcastle have been hit for four in each of their last two away to Arsenal and Spurs and look to be toiling at the worst possible time, as bitter rivals Sunderland roll up to St James’ Park. As we saw in their previous home match, though, the Tyneside team still have the armoury to shock – Papiss Cisse’s double ended talk of Chelsea’s “Invincibles” and served a reminder of their capabilities. With their top scorer a doubt due to illness, though, and problems between the posts mounting, Pardew has worries at both ends of the pitch and needs a reaction in the white-hot atmosphere of a Black Cats’ derby encounter on Sunday afternoon.

Baines on Borrowed Time…
For many, the Toffees left-back is failing to live up to his premium price tag after blanking for the fifth successive appearance at home to QPR on Monday. As the likes of Chelsea and City start to tighten up defensively and rack up the clean sheets, Everton look far from resilient right now, whilst the recent return of Kevin Mirallas has also proven detrimental, with the Belgian taking away a fair share of set-pieces. Mirallas’ absence at St Mary’s could allow Baines to strike up a partnership with Steven Pienaar down the left once again and yet afford him a chance to remain in our festive planning.

The Eriksen and Kane Combination…
The duo continued their excellent form in last night’s cup demolition of Newcastle – Eriksen provided three assists and Kane grabbed another goal in the 4-0 rout. Eriksen, in particular, has impressed of late, and, despite a lack of spot-kick duties, has equaled Eden Hazard for goals (six) after netting in three of the last six Gameweeks. Both look key to Tottenham’s prospects as Mauricio Pochettino’s pressing tactics finally start to make an impact – a home clash with Burnley offers further chance to sparkle and place them firmly on our radars prior to next week’s trip to Leicester.

Carroll vs the Foxes Defence…
A run of five straight starts, with two goals and as many assists, has launched the Hammers’ target man up our Watchlist. The big Geordie still resides below fellow forward Diafra Sakho, whose superior conversion rate and more budget-friendly price tag continue to sway things in his favour but Carroll has the chance to lay claim as Big Sam’s main man up top this weekend. Up against a Leicester side that has conceded the most headed goal attempts and attempts from set-plays in the league, his aerial threat looks a real weapon in Allardyce’s armoury as the Hammers look to heap further misery on the basement-dwellers.

Sterling the Striker…
After providing two midweek goals from a centre forward position, will Brendan Rodgers retain the youngster up top against Arsenal at the weekend? With Mario Balotelli struggling with a groin problem and Rickie Lambert tumbling back down the pecking order, Sterling looks in pole position to profit and fire his way back onto our Fantasy radars. With Liverpool’s fixtures looking so bright beyond the Gunners clash (bur, SWA, LEI, sun, avl), the potential is also there for the youngster to deliver if his manager keeps him central to his attacking plans.

Hazard’s Travel Sickness…
Yet to score on the road in the Premier League this season, the Chelsea wide man has served up just two assists in eight away appearances thus far. There’s no denying Hazard’s explosive consistency in front of his own fans but his lack of impact on his travels is still a real concern – his owners will be hoping his goal in the midweek Capital One Cup trip to Derby County is a sign of things to come as the Belgian attempts to show he can do the business outside of Stamford Bridge.