Leighton Baines is ruled out of Everton’s final two fixtures after undergoing minor ankle surgery. Danny Welbeck is likely to be available for Arsenal’s double Gameweek, whilst Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat is looking to go on the offensive as Leicester roll up to the Stadium of Light.
Baines out for season following surgery
Roberto Martinez revealed in his Thursday morning press conference that Leighton Baines has undergone surgery on his ankle and will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, returning for the start of pre-season:
“We had Leighton’s ankle checked. He has had surgery. It was straight-forward. He will be out until the start of pre-season.”
The Scout Says: Prior to succumbing to back-to-back defeats, Everton’s rearguard notched four clean sheets in six outings, so Baines’ absence threatens to disrupt their momentum. Nonetheless, the ownerships of Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman might still fancy the Merseysiders’ chances of securing shut-outs in their final two fixtures, given that both Tottenham (five goals in six) and West Ham (one goal in four) have displayed an impotence in the final third of late. With Bryan Oviedo also ruled out with a foot injury, Toffees youngster Luke Garbutt (3.9) is poised to earn a couple of starts in his breakthrough season, presenting a budget option for those managers attempting to free up funds for the double. To that end, Baines 14% ownership are now afforded the luxury of cashing in and redistributing the left-back’s considerable value – drafting in the likes of 4.1-priced Patrick van Aanholt ahead of Sunderland’s double would generate significant cash to splash on Arsenal’s big-hitters further up the field.
Welbeck primed for Old Trafford return
Arsene Wenger is confident that Danny Welbeck will be available for selection for Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United on Sunday. The Gunners frontman is said to have recovered from the knee injury that’s sidelined him for the last two Gameweeks.
The Scout Says: Welbeck’s return to the squad offers Wenger a way to shake up Arsenal’s forward line – which he may elect to do in light of the North London club failing to register in their previous two home encounters. The versatile English marksman could be fielded on the right flank in Arsenal’s favoured 4-2-3-1 set-up or as the lone striker, threatening the starts of Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud, who currently occupy those berths. The latter has come off the boil of late and drawn blanks in four successive outings, so Wenger may well be tempted to deploy Welbeck against his former club, given he was amongst the goals in the Gunners’ FA Cup win at Old Trafford earlier this year. Even if Wenger sticks by his regulars for the double, though, Welbeck’s likely return affords the Gunners boss the option of rotating his side in Gameweek 38, should Arsenal clinch a top three spot prior to their season finale at home to West Brom.
Advocaat targets win over Foxes at all costs
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat will accept nothing short of a victory when they host Leicester City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Speaking to the club’s official site, the Dutch manager stressed the importance of the supporters spurring them on to secure all three points against the Foxes:
“It’s not only the final home game but a very crucial game against Leicester. Hopefully, not only the players, but our fans really realise how important this game is for everybody. They have to make a lot of noise because we really need it. Leicester are a very difficult team to beat and in that game we have to give more than 100% to get the result. There’s only one result that we need and that’s the three points.”
The Scout Says: Sitting two points ahead of 18th-placed Hull City, Sunderland know a home win would keep them safe from relegation if the Tigers lose at Tottenham Hotspur. Given they then face trips to Arsenal and Chelsea, it’s clear that Advocaat wants to seal his side’s survival as quickly as possible, bearing in mind that a draw against the Foxes wouldn’t be enough to clinch survival due to Hull’s superior goal difference. In the event that the Wearsiders triumph over Nigel Pearson’s men, those managers who invested in Sunderland for the double will hope that Hull emerge victorious at White Hart Lane, therefore giving Advocaat’s side everything to play for at the Emirates. Conversely, should Sunderland clinch their survival prior to midweek, it’s arguable that they’ll be a little less motivated for the Arsenal clash, thus boosting the Gunners’ prospects for Wednesday’s showdown.
