Eden Hazard banishes his out-of-sorts domestic displays to grab the winner for Belgium. Riyad Mahrez recovers from a back problem to help steer Algeria to victory, whilst Victor Wanyama and Christian Benteke shrug off illness and injury to turn out for Kenya and Belgium respectively.
Hazard Fires Belgium to Victory
Eden Hazard steered Belgium to a crucial 1-0 win over Cyprus courtesy of a goal four minutes from time. The Chelsea winger arrived late in the box and stroked home Dries Mertens’ cut-back from the byline, though according to manager Marc Wilmots, he was lucky to still be on the pitch:
“He (Hazard) was the worst tonight. I thought about substituting him, but in the last 10 minutes he always has the ability to do that. At the World Cup, this was the case. I obviously expect more from him, but he will grow as the season progresses.”
The Scout Says: For Hazard’s 36.3% ownership, the Belgian’s first goal from open play this term will hopefully serve as the fillip to inspire similar driving runs into the box over the Blues’ next pair of fixtures (eve, ARS). Although his key pass tally (13) is strong and ranks third among all midfielders, Hazard has struggled to translate penalty-box touches (21) into attempts (four), belying his 11.4 price tag. In contrast, Pedro – who’s clocked under half the minutes of Hazard – has converted 11 penalty-box touches into seven attempts, with the deep-lying Cesc Fabregas (11 to six) also finding more space to fashion shots. While the latter’s poor form renders him a peripheral figure at present, the former – who’s tallied one goal and two assists in two starts – threatens to emerge as the prime route into Chelsea’s attack if Hazard continues to offer minimal goal threat.
Mahrez Grabs Assist for Algeria
The Leicester winger recovered from the back problem that forced him off against Bournemouth in the previous Gameweek to start for Algeria against Lesotho. Mahrez needed little time to continue his domestic form, providing the assist for Faouzi Ghoulam’s opener in a 3-1 win.
The Scout Says: Given his top-flight impact so far, Mahrez’ return to action is a welcome relief for Fantasy managers. After grabbing three goals and an assist over August, the Algerian has climbed from 5.5 to 6.1 since the start of the season, with over 1.1m FPL managers clambering on board the bandwagon. Sitting in just under 37% of sides, he now faces Villa, Stoke and Norwich in the next four Gameweeks as Claudio Ranieri’s side look to continue the series of displays that have guided them to third in the table, with the Foxes scoring eight times – a tally bettered only by City (ten) and West Ham (nine).
Benteke Recovers from Thigh Problem
The Liverpool striker recovered from a thigh injury to start yesterday’s match against Cyprus. Benteke lasted the first 45 minutes before being replaced by Anfield team-mate Divock Origi after the break.
The Scout Says: Benteke has been sold by more Fantasy managers than any other striker over the international break due to the injury concern. Over 122,000 FPL managers have parted company with the big Belgian, who is still the most popular striker in the game, with over 36% ownership, despite scoring just once so far. With Philippe Coutinho suspended for the weekend trip to United, Brendan Rodgers will be relieved that Benteke is back in the frame as the Reds look to recover from a galling 3-0 home loss to West Ham. Most Benteke owners will be happy to hold, given that he has back-to-back home matches with Norwich and Villa after the Old Trafford trip, but blank in those matches and the exodus will surely pick up pace.
Wanyama Turns out for Kenya
Having missed Southampton’s previous league match through illness, Victor Wanyama recovered in time to captain Kenya in a 2-1 home loss to Zambia yesterday afternoon.
The Scout Says: After scoring three times for the Saints last season, Wanyama started this term as the default budget midfielder for many Fantasy managers. With uncertainty surrounding his future prior to the closure of the transfer window, over 225,000 have parted company with the Kenyan, with his price resultantly dropping to just 4.4 in the FPL game. One look at the upcoming fixtures indicates he’ll be handed bench-warming duties for his 12% owners – with United, Swansea, Chelsea and Liverpool in the next six, Ronald Koeman’s men may struggle for points at either end of the pitch.
