Scout Notes – Gameweek 4 – Saturday

Chelsea’s slide into unlikely mediocrity continues as Palace turn on the style at the Bridge. Liverpool are another to taste home defeat, as the Hammers arrive on Anfield and claim another three points, while Arsenal earn victory but fail to show their teeth on Tyneside. Meanwhile, Manchester City are relentless as they preserve their 100% start and Callum Wilson justifies his bandwagon with a spectacular strike to keep the Cherries ticking. Here’s the notes from Saturday’s events…

Arsenal Grind Out Tyneside Win

Despite playing against ten men for the majority of their visit to St James’ Park, Arsenal laboured to a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United courtesy of a Fabricio Collocini own goal. Having ranked third for goals scored last season (71), the Gunners have made a sluggish start to the campaign, notching just three times in the opening four Gameweeks.

Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain – who claimed the assist – joined Gabriel and Theo Walcott in the starting line-up, with Per Mertesacker (chest infection), Mesut Ozil (minor knee injury) and Olivier Giroud missing out. Walcott failed to impress in a rare start up top, with Giroud looking likely to return to favour following the international break.

Investors in Arsenal’s rearguard enjoyed a second consecutive clean sheet, with Nacho Monreal (three) and Laurent Koscielny (two) scooping bonus points for their efforts. A home tie against Stoke City in Gameweek 5 looks conducive to a third shut-out, before a testing trio of match-ups (CHE, LEI, MUN) provides a sterner test of their defensive resolve.

Sinclair Provides Sherwood’s Cutting Edge

Scott Sinclair complemented his midweek hat-trick against Notts County with a brace against the Black Cats. The former Manchester City winger dropped to the bench at Crystal Palace in Gameweek three, but was handed a start at Villa Park after both Jack Grealish and Gabby Agbonlahor were ruled out.

Priced at 4.9, an in-form Sinclair could prove to be a tasty differential ahead of a trip to Leicester City and home clash against West Bromwich Albion, although with both Grealish and Agbonlahor likely to return after the break, Sinclair’s long-term starting role is far from secure.

Jordan Amavi (5.0) picked up an assist for one of Sinclair’s strikes, underlining his attacking potential and early season form – only five defenders have tallied more key passes (four) than the French full-back. Clean sheets remain an issue, however – Villa have kept just one shut-out in their last 11 home league outings – a concern for the 10% banking on returns from Micah Richards, who inexplicably failed to convert from two yards against the Black Cats.

Consistent Lens Keeps Sunderland Afloat

Sunderland twice came from behind to secure their second draw in succession. Jeremain Lens netted the Wearsiders’ second of the afternoon, marking the fourth consecutive Gameweek that he’s delivered attacking returns (one goal, three assists). The 6.5-priced midfielder has emerged as the driving force behind Sunderland’s forward forays, rendering him an intriguing option in the mid-price bracket. Lens and Sunderland will take on a stuttering Spurs outfit at the Stadium of Light after the break, before making the trip to visit Bournemouth.

Dick Advocaat’s defence remains a major concern, however, with two more goals conceded. Younes Kaboul’s (4.4) return to the rearguard notably saw Sebastian Coates (4.4) drop to the bench with John O’Shea retained – Coates appears to be the latest scapegoat in Advocaat’s ailing backline.

Vardy Inspires Unbeaten Foxes

Jamie Vardy converted from the penalty spot to grant Leicester City a late point at Dean Court. In the absence of Riyad Mahrez – who came off injured at the break – the 6.0-priced striker stepped up to record his second goal of the campaign. Having returned points in three of four outings, Vardy is shaping up to be an alluring third striker prospect as the Foxes gear up for home tie against Villa. The striker now has three goals and an assist in his last five league appearances.

Mahrez’s second-half no-show would’ve caused initial concern among his 37% ownership, but Claudio Ranieri allayed those fears after the final whistle, revealing that he removed the Algerian as a precaution after he received a kick in the early exchanges. Afforded two weeks recovery time because of the international break, Mahrez would seem set to be one of the first names on the Foxes teamsheet after the break.

Wilson Strikes As Cherries Take Casualties

The 330,000 Fantasy managers that recruited Callum Wilson off the back of his hat-trick against West Ham were delighted to watch their man grace the scoresheet with an acrobatic strike. In appreciation of the Cherries’ favourable schedule (nor, SUN, sto, WAT), many more will be tempted to snap up the 5.6-priced frontman for their 15-man squads, freeing up funds for investment in other desirable targets.

Indeed, Wilson has enjoyed more acquisitions than any other FPL player overnight and is on his way to a further price rise over the break.

Max Gradel – one of our Differentials this Gameweek – served up the assist for Wilson’s goal, making it three in two appearances for the Ivory Coast international. However, a knee injury in the second half saw Gradel limp from the field on the hour-mark, while Charlie Daniels and Tyrone Mings are also set to be assessed in the coming days. Certainly Mings and Gradel appear to be major doubts for the Cherries’ trip to Norwich in Gameweek 5.

Falcao Effort Fails to Halt Blues Slump

Chelsea suffered just their second home defeat under Jose Mourinho as the Blues lost further ground to Manchester City and the early pace setters. The champions look a shadow of the side that strolled to the title last term, offering encouragement to the likes of Everton (away) and Arsenal (home) who are up next.

Radamel Falcao produced a late equaliser 11 minutes from time, with Pedro turning provider for his second assist in as many starts. The former Barcelona recruit – who’s pitched at 9.5 – is strengthening his claim to be considered as the prime route into the Champions’ attack, given that Eden Hazard has delivered a solitary assist across the opening four Gameweeks.

Those Fantasy managers who’ve persevered with Chelsea defenders up to this point will surely feel inclined to pursue other options. Astonishingly, only Sunderland (10) have shipped more goals than Mourinho’s troops, underlining the current malaise at the Bridge.

Stylish Palace Silence The Bridge

A narrow home defeat to Arsenal remains the only disappointing result on the Eagles’ early scorecard following their second road victory of the campaign. Palace have now won eight of their ten away trips under Alan Pardew.

The Eagles were somewhat overlooked from a Fantasy perspective prior to season commencing because of their tricky fixture list, yet Pardew’s men have excelled in spite of it. Nonetheless, Man City’s visit in a fortnight’s time promises to be their toughest challenge yet, encouraging prospective investors to hold out until a Gameweek six trip to Spurs.

Yannick Bolasie was named on the bench for this clash having returned from compassionate leave, but Bakary Sako retained his place the side, carding the opening goal and the assist for Palace’s winner. Now poised for a runs of starts – surely to the detriment of Wilfried Zaha’s pitch time – the 5.5-priced winger looks a steal at that price point, having demonstrated considerable goal threat in his first two Eagles appearances.

Joel Ward (4.5) scored his second goal in three matches, bagging an eight-point haul for his 9.1% ownership. Those eyeing up the full-back will be pinpointing the Eagles’ schedule from Gameweek 7 (wat, WBA, WHU, lei) as potential source of rare clean-sheet points.

Travelling Hammers Defy The Odds Again

In the wake of a 3-0 win over an unbeaten Liverpool outfit, the Hammers appear to be attempting their best Jekyll and Hyde impression. Two limp home defeats – in which they conceded a total of six goals – are now sandwiched between a pair of unlikely victories on the road over top-six sides, highlighting the inconsistent nature of their performances.

Manuel Lanzini (5.3) netted in his maiden start for the Irons, while Mark Noble doubled the visitor’s advantage before the half-hour mark.

The sparkling Lanzini has now surely earned a run in the side after impressing at Anfield and offers a cheaper route into the West Ham midfield than Dimitri Payet (7.6). The Frenchman came out of Anfield without points for the second match running but again impressed and dominated set-pieces.

As for Noble, he will miss league matches with Newcastle and Man City, plus the Capital One Cup tie with Leicester, before returning to contention against Norwich City in Gameweek 7. Noble’s dismissal was West Ham’s sixth red card in ten competitive matches this season – although it seems likely that we’ll see the club appeal the decision following Slaven Bilic’s post-match comments.

Elsewhere, Diafro Sakho (6.5) compounded Liverpool’s misery with a third goal in injury time. Now off the mark this term, the Hammers’ premier goal threat is afforded ample opportunity to boost his tally during a largely favourable quintet of upcoming fixtures (NEW, mci, NOR, sun, cry).

Aaron Cresswell (5.5) registered back-to-back assists with his contribution to Lanzini’s opener – coupled with the clean sheet points – which gave rise to three bonus points and a 12-point haul. Although they’re unlikely to rebuff the advances of Man City in Gameweek six, home ties against Newcastle and Norwich could serve up shut-outs to boast Cresswell’s tally further.

Impotent Liverpool Fall Flat

Having gone into Satuday’s encounter off the back of three consecutive clean sheets, Brendan Rodgers’ side shipped two early goals by way of some calamitous defending. Dejan Lovren was the chief culprit among the Merseysiders’ defensive starters, which could prompt Rodgers to consider a recall for Mamadou Sakho for the forthcoming trip to Old Trafford.

To compound matters, Philippe Coutinho picked up a second yellow card early on in second half, meaning he’ll be unavailable for the United clash. The Brazilian playmaker will return for back-to-back home clashes against Norwich and Villa but that hasn’t stemmed the tide of overnight sales in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Both Coutinho and team-mate Christian Benteke have endured more FPL sales than any other assets in the last twenty-four hours. Given Liverpool’s current attacking form, it’s difficult to argue. While Rodgers has concerns at the back, he’ll be alarmed by the fact that he saw his forward players register just a single shot on target against the Hammers. This was the third time that Liverpool have mustered just a single on target effort at Anfield since the start of the campaign.

100% City Dispose of Hornets Resistance

A 2-0 win over Watford represented Manchester City’s tenth victory in a row stretching back to the previous campaign. The Sky Blues recorded eight clean sheets over that period, with four of those arriving at the start of this season. Certainly, those Fantasy managers not holding a Man City defender are heavily incentivised to do in preparation for their excellent clutch of home fixtures (cry, WHU, tot, NEW, BOU).

Further forward, Raheem Sterling (8.9) opened the scoring with his debut goal for the club, ensuring that he remains an alternative to Yaya Toure and David Silva as a route into Man City’s attack. Both continue to offer consistent returns, with Silva taking his turn to contribute, notching his fourth assist in as many outings with the pass for Fernandinho’s strike – his second goal in three starts.

Bacary Sagna (5.1) accrued an eye-catching 12-point haul, having earned an assist and all three bonus points. With Pablo Zabaleta likely to be sidelined, at least until Gameweek 7, the 5.1-priced right-back serves as the value pick-up in the Sky Blues’ rearguard.

Rondon Strikes to Dismiss Depleted Potters

With Saido Berahino still absent from the West Brom matchday squad amid continued transfer speculation, Salomon Rondon stepped up to head home his first top flight goal.

Rondon has already shown enough to demonstrate that he will be the prime attacking target should Fantasy managers have reason to assess West Brom’s prospects. However, having seen the Baggies fail to cash in after Stoke were reduced to nine-men, their attacking output remains in question.

In defence, a second away clean sheet and an 8-point return would have been warmly welcomed by Boaz Myhill’s 3.5% ownership. Priced at just 4.5, he remains an attractive choice between the sticks in light of West Brom’s encouraging schedule (SOU, avl, EVE, cry, SUN, nor, LEI) and his short-term stock will rise further should the club fail in their quest for a keeper before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The confirmation of Jonny Evans’ arrival from Man United for an undisclosed fee has introduced another intriguing rearguard option – available for 4.8, we can surely presume that Evans will have been assured starts having suffered frustration at Old Trafford.

Spurs Still Work In Progress

Tottenham’s search for a win continues following a 0-0 draw with Everton. The home side enjoyed the lion’s share of the chances (20 attempts compared to eight) but were wayward with their shooting, mustering just six attempts on target.

Harry Kane will shed another chunk of his ownership after drawing a fourth straight blank. The 9.4-priced marksman was predominantly limited to pot-shots from range – as evidenced by the fact three of his five shots were taken outside the box – yet he did waste a great opportunity to score in a one-on-one situation. Kane has now scored just twice in his last twelve league outings.

Mauricio Pochettino will hope that the integration of Clinton N’Jie and Heung-Min Son next time out acts as a fillip to Spurs’ misfiring forward line and re-ignite Kane’s goal-getting.

On a more positive note, Tottenham are showing signs of improvement in defence, having restricted the Toffees to three attempts on target. Even so, Saturday’s shut-out was only their second league clean sheet at the Lane in 2015.

Howard The Hero for Determined Toffees

Everton held off Tottenham’s late barrage of attacks to claim their second away clean sheet this term. Tim Howard was the star of the show, tallying an 11-point haul by virtue of six saves and three bonus points. Despite their recent diligence at the back, Roberto Martinez’ unit could struggle to record many clean sheets leading up to Gameweek 10, in appreciation of a brutal schedule (CHE, swa, wba, LIV, MUN, ars).

Tom Cleverley could be set for a spell in the treatment room after he suffered a nasty looking injury at the end of the first half, with initial fears that the midfielder has damaged his ligaments. This could pave the way for Kevin Mirallas to enjoy a run of starts on the right flank over the coming weeks. However, we should perhaps expect further activity from Everton prior to Tuesday’s transfer deadline.