Gerard Deulofeu scores three times for Spain Under 21s. Yannick Bolasie notches for DR Congo, Alexis Sanchez fails to net in a 90-minute run out for Chile, whilst Sadio Mane and Jamie Vardy are both doubts ahead of today’s batch of internationals.
In-Form Deulofeu Hits Hat-Trick
Gerard Deulofeu bagged a hat-trick – which included a free-kick and two clinical finishes – for Spain’s U21 outfit as they ran out 5-0 victors over Georgia.
The Scout Says: The imminent return of Sergio Aguero has many a Fantasy manager ruminating on how best to redistribute their funds to afford the Argentine. To that end, Deulofeu has emerged as a potential enabler by virtue of his impressive form and 6.2 valuation. The La Masia graduate boasts one goal and six assists in the previous six Gameweeks and has been translating that form over to the international stage, chalking up three goals and a trio of assists in as many outings. Further strengthening his case for inclusion in our squads, the Toffees now embark on an excellent run of fixtures (AVL, bou, CRY, nor, LEI, new, STO) through to the New Year, with Deulofeu now looking the best route into the Toffees midfield as the points dry up for Ross Barkley.
Palace Midfielders Find the Net
Yannick Bolasie opened the scoring for DR Congo in their 3-2 win against Burundi. Meanwhile, Eagles team-mate Mile Jedinak slotted home a spot-kick during Australia’s 3-0 victory over Kyrgzstan.
The Scout Says: Whilst Jedinak will likely be handed another bench role upon his return to domestic duties, Bolasie scored last time out against Liverpool and is certainly worth keeping tabs on in appreciation of Palace’s agreeable schedule (SUN, NEW, eve, SOU, sto, bou). Over the last two Gameweeks, the winger ranks top of the Eagles’ midfield contingent for attempts (four), shots inside the box (four) and shots on target (two). Furthermore, he could benefit from the potential return of strike duo Connor Wickham and Marouane Chamakh next Gameweek – furnishing the Londoners with a focal point they can build from. It’s worth nothing, however, that Palace have scored just six goals at home this campaign and three of their next four match-ups are held at Selhurst Park. Nonetheless, with both Yohan Cabaye and Wilfried Zaha just one booking away from a ban, Bolasie’s appeal is definitely on the up.
Sanchez Blanks in Chile Stalemate
Alexis Sanchez played from start to finish in Chile’s home draw with Colombia last night. The winger now faces a trip to Uruguay on Tuesday and, according to reports in The Mirror, could be handed a much-needed rest in the “not-too-distant future”, given his abbreviated pre-season and subsequent energy-sapping trips to South America on international duty.
The Scout Says: Given that the Gunners are neck and neck with Manchester City in the title race and are contending with a bevy of injuries on the flanks, it appears highly unlikely that Sanchez will be rested in the immediate future. Following a typically busy Christmas schedule, though, Arsene Wenger might well elect to rest the former Barcelona star between Gameweeks 20 and 21 – when the FA Cup third round fixtures are scheduled to take place – which would give him 10 days to recuperate before a trip to Anfield. There’s no doubt Sanchez’ displays have tailed off in recent outings, with the Chilean drawing blanks in each of the previous three Gameweeks, but with West Brom, Norwich, Sunderland and Villa up next, Wenger can ill-afford to take his foot off the gas at the summit. Certainly, those looking for an alternative route into the Arsenal midfield will be more swayed by Mesut Ozil’s displays – over 124,000 FPL managers have snapped up the consistent German this week, who has scored or assisted in eight of his 11 league appearances.
Vardy a Worry for Three Lions
Roy Hodgson revealed that Jamie Vardy has picked up a knock and could be set to miss England’s friendly against Spain this evening:
“We are monitoring the injury and working on it, but it looks unlikely that he will be able to play (against Spain)”
The Scout Says: Vardy required treatment in the second half of Leicester’s home tie against Watford last time out before returning to the field to score a penalty soon after. Given this evening’s clash is a friendly fixture, it may well be that Hodgson is simply taking no unnecessary risks with the forward’s fitness, though any possible injury would have a significant effect on his 53% FPL ownership. Casting our attention to next Gameweek, a refreshed Vardy would be an ominous prospect for a Newcastle United outfit as he looks to score for the tenth successive league match against a side that ranks second for goals conceded (13) over the last six Gameweeks.
Mane Doubtful for Senegal
Sadio Mane is a doubt for Senegal’s World Cup qualifier against Madagascar this morning due to an ankle injury. Elsewhere in the Saints camp, Maya Yoshida netted in Japan’s 3-0 win over Singapore.
The Scout Says: Mane lies just outside the top 10 midfielders in term of total score (55) this campaign, having notched three goals and five assists across 12 outings. The Senegalese winger carded three goals and an assist between Gameweeks 7 and 10 but has since posted back-to-back blanks. Nonetheless, Mane still managed six attempts and five shots inside the box during that period, so his 10% ownership will be hoping for a swift recovery ahead of Saints’ enticing home clash against Stoke City. Yoshida’s strike for the Samurai Blue marks his second goal for club and country in the last fortnight, given that he scored against Aston Villa in the League Cup. Priced at 4.2, the versatile defender would serve as a tantalising route into Southampton’s rearguard if he was assured starts, though it remains to be seen if he can keep ahead of Cedric Soares at right-back, after earning the nod away to Sunderland in the previous Gameweek.
Sessegnon Nets in Benin Win
West Brom wide man Stephane Sessegnon converted from the penalty spot as Benin recorded a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso yesterday afternoon.
The Scout Says: Once a cult icon on the Fantasy scene, Sessegnon’s star has faded in recent seasons due to injuries and a manifest drop in form. The 5.1-priced midfielder has earned four successive starts for the Baggies, though, and grabbed an assist in Gameweek 11. That being said, his underlying statistics over that period (four attempts and as many key passes) are unimpressive and West Brom face a tough schedule (ARS, whu, TOT, liv), so Sessegnon will very much remain on the periphery of our thinking.
Amavi Worry for Villa
Jordan Amavi sustained a knee injury during France U21’s Euro 2017 qualifier against Northern Ireland. In a post-match interview, coach Pierre Mankowski was uncertain over the extent of his injury:
“Doctors are trying to look after him. According to the first information available it would be a knee sprain. It is not yet known whether the ligament is ruptured. It’s too early to tell.”
The Scout Says: In the event that Amavi has ruptured ligaments and faces a lengthy spell in the treatment room, the 4.2-priced Kieran Richardson would be the likely replacement for the young Frenchman. Notwithstanding Villa’s clean sheet at home to Manchester City last Gameweek, the difficulty of their fixture list (eve, WAT, sou, ARS) and dreadful form prior to the Sky Blues’ visit limits our interest in their rearguard assets.
Son Creativity Guides Korea to Win
Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son came on at the 63-minute mark for South Korea yesterday, and wasted little time in making his mark by carding two assists in a routine 4-0 home thrashing of Myanmar. Swansea’s Ki Sung-yeung played from start to finish for the host nation.
The Scout Says: Considering that Erik Lamela incurred a one-match ban for receiving his fifth booking in the North London derby, Heung-Min Son looks likely to be handed a starting berth when West Ham pay visit after the international break. Although the South Korean netted in just his second league start, his Fantasy potential is severely hampered by his classification as a forward. Moreover, Lamela’s strong displays of late ensure that Son will have to make a statement against the Hammers to retain a spot on the flank for Chelsea’s visit the following Gameweek. Ultimately, those eyeing up Tottenham’s attack ahead of four home matches in six will be hard-pushed to overlook Harry Kane, who has racked up five goals and eight bonus points in the last three Gameweeks.
