Raheem Sterling scores twice as City qualify for the Champions League knockout stages as group winners. United have worries in defence after a loss to Wolfsburg relegates them into the Europa League. Elsewhere, Daniel Sturridge is set for another period on the sidelines, John Terry is back for Chelsea, whilst Manuel Lanzini adds to West Ham’s growing list of injuries.
Sterling Brace Caps City Comeback
Manchester City topped their Champions League group in spectacular fashion with a 4-2 comeback victory at home to Borussia Monchengladbach. Manuel Pellegrini declined to field a frontman at the Etihad, deploying Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and David Silva as an interchangeable attacking trio in a 4-3-3 set-up. The latter opened the scoring courtesy of a Sterling assist, before the former Liverpool man fired the Sky Blues back into the lead in the second period with a three-minute double. Substitute Wilfried Bony capped off the scoring with the hosts’ fourth and also earned an assist in a 25-minute cameo off the bench. In defence, Gael Clichy was utilised on the right, with Aleksandar Kolarov retaining his spot on the opposition side of the back-four.
The Scout Says: Silva’s thunderous strike against the Bundesliga outfit will be music to the ears of 30,000 managers that recruited him over the last two Gameweeks. Priced 0.9 below De Bruyne (10.9), the Spain international (10.0) could establish himself as the prime route into Man City’s midfield if he can replicate his early-season form (six assists in five matches). Sterling (8.9) has managed just two assists in the last six Gameweeks but his strong showing on the European stage further complicates the dynamic, particularly if Manuel Pellegrini opts for the same system in the event that Sergio Aguero remains absent for the weekend. Having found their form again, the upcoming schedule (SWA, ars, SUN, lei, wat) bodes well for City’s attacking contingent.
Injury Concerns for Beaten United
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League by way of a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg. The visitors’ first goal saw Anthony Martial latch onto a through ball from Juan Mata and produce a neat finish, while their second arrived from an own goal. Man United’s misery was compounded by fresh injuries to Chris Smalling (groin) and Matteo Darmian (hamstring) as they dropped into the Europa League. Elsewhere in the Red Devils’ camp, Bastian Schweinsteiger’s proposed three-match ban will be appealed by the club after the German midfielder was charged with violent conduct against West Ham’s Winston Reid.
After the match, Van Gaal conceded that Smalling and Darmian could miss the weekend trip to Bournemouth:
“Matteo Darmian has a hamstring injury and Smalling probably a groin injury. Smalling could not jump at the moment of the set plays and that goal [Wolfsburg’s third] was also because of that. He had to give it [defensive responsibility] to another player and that’s always a question of communication and quality. I don’t know (whether they will be ready for weekend), it’s happened this evening, but normally they are out for Saturday.”
The Scout Says: Martial’s intelligent movement and clinical strike underlined his manifest talents, yet he remains on the periphery of our thinking as a mid-priced forward; in the last six Gameweeks, the France international mustered a paltry six attempts and one shot on target, despite leading the line in three of those starts. Although Van Gaal’s troops have struggled as an attacking unit – ranking second-bottom for shots on target (14) since Gameweek 10 – Smalling leads the way in the FPL defender standings, with a security of starts helping him earn nine clean sheets. United’s upcoming festive schedule (bou, NOR, sto, CHE, SWA) looked tailor-made to invest in Smalling but if he’s ruled out for any period of time, finding a reliable route into Van Gaal’s rearguard looks a tricky task.
Sturridge Sidelined Yet Again
Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out for around three to four weeks with a hamstring injury sustained during Liverpool’s 2-0 loss at Newcastle.
The Scout Says: Sturridge’s latest injury setback delivers a galling – yet all too predictable – blow to the 83,000 managers that gambled on his fitness last week. Given the projected length of his absence, Sturridge is likely to sit out enticing match-ups against West Brom, Watford, Leicester, Sunderland and West Ham, before a possible return at home to Arsenal in Gameweek 21. Christian Benteke (8.3) will now be hoping to nail down the lone frontman role in Sturridge’s absence, though the big Belgian has struggled to adjust to Jurgen Klopp’s pressing tactics. Roberto Firmino bagged a goal and two assists as the central striker away to City in Gameweek 13 and offers an alternative to Benteke as the Reds look to bounce back from their disastrous defeat at Newcastle.
Grealish Back in Contention
Having missed Aston Villa’s last two league match-ups on disciplinary grounds, Jack Grealish – who’s been training and playing with the U21s – has returned to the full squad ahead of a home tie against Arsenal. Manager Remi Garde insisted he was happy to welcome the youngster back to the fold:
“Jack is back with the group now. I am pleased to have him back because he’s an important player for the group. I am also pleased regarding how Jack trained over the past two weeks with the U21s. Jack is back. I am happy for that – and for the team.”
The Scout Says: Although there’s no quick fix to Villa’s myriad of issues at both ends of the pitch, Grealish could serve as a catalyst for their attacking thrust. Despite sitting out six Gameweeks this campaign, he ranks top among their midfield contingent for attempts (14) and second for shots inside the box (six), having fashioned efforts at a much faster rate (one every 51.2 minutes compared to 81.5 minutes) than Scott Sinclair. In light of the latter’s ineffectiveness, Grealish could replace him in the attacking trio when the Gunners come to town, with Jordan Ayew – who’s bagged three goals in seven outings but suffers from his classification as a forward – operating from the opposite flank. With some decent fixtures to follow the Arsenal clash (new, WHU, nor, sun, CPL) Garde’s side have the chance to build momentum in their bid to find a way out of the basement.
Lanzini Adds to Hammers’ Woes
West Ham confirmed that the thigh injury Manuel Lanzini suffered in training prior to their Manchester United road clash will sideline him for up to six weeks.
The Scout Says: Lanzini’s spell in the treatment room comes as a frustration to the 100,000 Fantasy managers that snapped up the promising fifth midfielder in the wake of his three goals in five starts. It could turn out to be a double blow for the Irons, too, given that Victor Moses sustained a hamstring knock at Old Trafford and is scheduled in for a scan today – with Dimitri Payet and Diafra Sakho also sidelined, Slaven Bilic could be without his first-choice four attackers if Moses is also ruled out. Either way, Mauro Zarate is pretty much assured a wide berth for the time being, while Michail Antonio could profit from Moses’ potential absence. The latter is an unknown quantity at this level, but he’d represent great value at the 5.2 mark if he could rekindle the form that saw him amass 14 goals in the Championship last term.
Mixed News for Big Sam
Sebastian Larsson will be out for a month with the knee ligament issue that prevented him from featuring against Arsenal last Gameweek. Meanwhile, Lee Cattermole is struggling with a nerve problem in his back that renders him a major doubt for Sunderland’s home encounter against Watford. In better news on the injury front, Jermain Defoe is expected to recover from a minor hamstring niggle in time for the Hornets clash.
The Scout Says: Defoe netted two goals in as many starts before succumbing to injury against Stoke City, so one would expect Fabio Borini to drop out to facilitate the Englishman’s reinstatement. As for Larsson’s stint on the sidelines, Ola Toivonen will be looking to retain his weekend starting role, whilst Jordi Gomez and Jack Rodwell could come into contention if Allardyce switches from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 to accommodate Defoe up front again. Ultimately, the Wearsiders’ rearguard – which has bagged two clean sheets in three outings since Sam Allardyce’s adoption of a three-man backline – offers more appeal from a Fantasy perspective. On that note, Patrick van Aanholt (4.6) scored once and ranked third among defenders for attempts (six) across the last four Gameweeks, but the Black Cats’ perilous schedule (WAT, che, mci, LIV) discourages investment.
Terry Boost for Blues
Speaking to the press ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Porto, Jose Mourinho said that Radamel Falcao, John Terry and Ramires have all returned to training. Although Falcao won’t be back in contention for another fortnight, Terry and Ramires will make the matchday squad at Stamford Bridge:
“Falcao just had a little period training with us. He is still a couple of weeks away from being in condition to play. John Terry and Ramires look fine.”
The Scout Says: Should Mourinho afford Terry a starting role at Leicester next Monday, Gary Cahill is most at risk of being demoted, considering that Kurt Zouma has been Chelsea’s most consistent defensive starter. Pitched at 5.4, Zouma welcomed 33,000 new owners last Gameweek after the Blues chalked up three successive clean sheets in all competitions prior to their home loss at the hands of Bournemouth. With home clashes against Sunderland and Watford in the next three, over 44,000 managers snapped up Eden Hazard last weekend – the Belgian has accelerated his goal threat of late with seven shots inside the box across the previous four Gameweeks.
FA to Investigate Mahrez and Williams altercation
The FA have called upon Leicester and Swansea City to present further information regarding an altercation between Riyad Mahrez and Ashley Williams. Tempers between the pair reportedly reached a flashpoint outside the home dressing room following the final whistle, with Williams attempting to follow the Algerian onto the Leicester team bus.
The Scout Says: Given that the match officials weren’t witness to the event, both clubs would have to risk incriminating their players by detailing the incident for the FA to issue any sanctions. Considering that Swans boss Garry Monk has already said he was unaware of any altercation, it seems near-certain that this one will be played down. The same can be said for Leicester, with the Foxes likely to remain equally tight-lipped to ensure that Mahrez remains available for selection over the festive period.
