Scout Notes – Gameweek 26 – Sunday

Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen continue their fine form by grabbing a goal apiece as Spurs emerge victorious at the Etihad. Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott climb off the bench to fire Arsenal to victory over Leicester. Jamie Vardy notches a spot-kick as the Foxes taste defeat for the third time this term, whilst Philippe Coutinho provides three assists as Liverpool thrash basement-dwellers Villa.

Welbeck wins it for Gunners

Arsenal moved to within two points of the summit by virtue of Danny Welbeck’s last-gasp winner. Theo Walcott also emerged from the bench and grabbed a goal, placing further pressure on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s starting berth as competition in the final third intensifies. Although Alexis Sanchez looks nailed-on his 14% ownership will be concerned by a nine-match barren streak.

To the satisfaction of Mesut Ozil’s 50% ownership, his assist in the dying embers helped the German earn maximum bonus points – that’s 18 points in the last two Gameweeks for the playmaker, who continues to look the one reliable Arsenal attacker. Olivier Giroud turned provider for the opening goal, complementing the assist he served up last time out, though he has now scored in just one of his last nine league appearances ahead of the trip to United. With Welbeck and Walcott amongst the goals, the Frenchman’s security of starts could soon be in question.

On the defensive front, Per Mertesacker was afforded his first start since Gameweek 22, given that Gabriel suffered a hamstring knock in training. Meanwhile, Laurent Koscielny was replaced at the half with a dead leg, rendering him a minor doubt for Arsenal’s home tie against Hull City in the FA Cup.

Vardy strike not enough for Foxes

Jamie Vardy spot-kick opener took his tally to four goals in as many outings and with guaranteed fixtures in Gameweek 27 and 30 (due to the Foxes’ FA Cup exit), he’s already been snapped up by 50,000 FPL managers as many part company with Romelu Lukaku. Vardy has already risen in price overnight and with penalty duties now boosting his appeal, the bandwagon looks set to pick up pace over the new few days.

Riyad Mahrez’ 65% of FPL owners were left frustrated with a one-point haul after the Algerian was replaced before the hour-mark due to Danny Simpson’s 54th-minute dismissal. Simpson now misses the upcoming home encounter against Norwich – in a Gameweek where four teams are without a fixture, his 8% owners may decide to part company and opt for one of Robert Huth or Christian Fuchs as the fixtures (NOR, WBA, wat, NEW) turn kind for the league leaders.

Kane nets again

Tottenham Hotspur injected their title bid with fresh impetus following a 2-1 win at Manchester City. Harry Kane profited from a dubious penalty to fire the visitors ahead in the 53^rd minute, with Danny Rose picking up the assist. The 10.1-priced striker now lays claim to five goals in as many starts, augmenting his captaincy prospects prior to a favourable home tie against Swansea City.

Christian Eriksen perpetuated his fine form (three goals and assist in five) with his fifth goal of the campaign. Dele Alli remains the prime route into Spurs’ midfield because of his recent productivity (two goals and three assists in four) and price tag (6.0), yet his Danish counterpart serves as an intriguing differential. Elsewhere, Erik Lamela capped off an impressive substitute outing with his fourth assist of the term.

Rare blank from Aguero

Manchester City’s hopes of claiming the Premier League crown hang in the balance following successive defeats to fellow title challengers. Although David Silva was passed fit for this fixture, Sergio Aguero suffered from a lack of quality service and lacked a clinical touch when chances did arise – he failed to seriously trouble Hugo Lloris with any of his five attempts. Nonetheless, the majority of his 31% ownership will be unwilling to consider a sale before the Sky Blues’ imminent blank, considering that he racked up six goals in four starts prior to facing the league’s tightest defence.

With regards to Man City’s Fantasy output, Kelechi Iheanacho restored parity for the hosts during his second-half cameo, bolstering his case for a start when they travel to Liverpool in Gameweek 28. The Nigerian marksman was teed up by Gael Clichy, who has now started three of the last four Gameweeks ahead of Aleksandar Kolarov at left-back. City had conceded just once in the eight league matches that Vincent Kompany had started prior to yesterday’s loss and with the Belgian lasting 90 minutes, Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping his side can address a run that’s seen them concede at least twice in three of the last four Gameweeks.

Reds run riot at sorry Villa

Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho returned to league action as Liverpool humiliated Aston Villa in a 6-0 thrashing. Sturridge found the net in his first start since Gameweek 8, while Coutinho showcased his creative flair with a trio of assists.

We’re intrigued by the differential potential of both players, yet the Reds’ blank in Gameweek 27 and Manchester City’s visit in Gameweek 28 cools our interest for the time being. Moreover, Liverpool’s home match-up against Chelsea in Gameweek 30 will have to be rescheduled if the Blues get the better of Man City in the FA Cup next weekend.

Divock Origi, James Milner, Emre Can, Nathaniel Clyne and Kolo Toure also graced the scoresheet, while Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino earned assists. Speaking of the latter, the average-position map for this match shows that the Brazilian midfielder took up a central position behind lone striker Sturridge as Klopp rolled out a 4-2-3-1. Given that Firmino had scored or assisted seven of Liverpool’s previous 11 goals as a “false nine”, his owners will be hoping that yesterday’s relatively minimal output isn’t a sign of things to come with Coutinho and Sturridge back in the fold.