Scout Scribbles – Defensive Worries Ease for Hammers

Sam Byram and James Collins are expected to return for West Ham’s clash with Arsenal. Erik Lamela could be back for Tottenham’s showdown with United. Phil Jones and Ashley Young step up their fitness with a run-out for the Red Devils’ reserves, whilst Fabricio Coloccini could be back in the frame for Newcastle this weekend.

Hammers defenders on the mend

Slaven Bilic confirmed that James Collins and Sam Byram will be in contention for West Ham United’s home encounter against Arsenal on Saturday.

The Scout Says: With Byram back in contention and the fit-again James Tomkins afforded a bench role last week, owners of Michail Antonio will be optimistic he can now revert to a midfield berth. The ex-Nottingham Forest wide man has deputised at right-back or right wing-back in recent weeks and, having drawn successive blanks, has fallen behind Manuel Lanzini – who has netted in each of the last two – as our preferred budget Hammers midfielder. Priced at 5.5 to Lanzini’s 4.9, Antonio is owned by just 4% of FPL managers and with double Gameweeks 34 and 37 to consider, could return to our radars once again.

Lamela hopeful of weekend return

Tottenham Hotspur are optimistic that Erik Lamela will shake off a calf complaint in time for their home tie against Manchester United on Sunday.

The Scout Says: With just three goals and five assists, Lamela has been a peripheral figure on the Fantasy scene. In terms of Spurs’ midfield assets, Dele Alli edges out Christian Eriksen by way of his attractive pricing (6.2 compared to 8.6) and recent form (four assists in as many starts). Nonetheless, the Danish playmaker is also in the midst of a purple patch: aside from bagging one goal and assist in his last two outings, he ranked second among all midfielders for attempts (14) and shots on target (five) across his previous quartet of matches. Considering that the Lilywhites don’t enjoy a double Gameweek 34, though, Alli’s 32% ownership will be tempted to cash in – indeed, over 27,000 have already parted company since the weekend. Up front, Harry Kane is another matter altogether, however. Considering the forward has served up six goals, an assist and eight bonus points over his last four, it’s easy to see why many owners are having second thoughts over cashing in on Kane as we reassemble our Wildcard teams.

Defensive duo back for United

Ashley Young and Phil Jones were both handed run-outs for Manchester United’s U21 outfit for their clash against Chelsea last night, but Wayne Rooney was not passed fit to play:

The Scout Says: With Young and Jones now in the mix ahead of United’s double, the likes of Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind may well carry a greater rotation risk. The Argentinian left-back has chalked up five consecutive starts but was replaced at the break against Everton due to jet lag and lasted the distance just once in the other four ties. On a similar note, Antonio Valencia clocked pitch time in the Red Devils’ previous two match-ups, bolstering his case for starts ahead of Matteo Darmian during a congested schedule. Ultimately, Chris Smalling and David De Gea are the only sure-fire routes into a defence that charts bottom for home goals conceded (seven) this term.

Rafa hopeful on Coloccini fitness

According to Rafa Benitez, Fabricio Coloccini will return to training this week ahead of Newcastle United’s trip to Southampton on Saturday:

“So he (Coloccini) will be training (this week) and we’ll see how he feels and then we’ll decide but the good thing is that if they are coming back then at least we have that competition and that can only be good for the team.”

The Scout Says: The Magpies recorded a solitary clean sheet in their last 16 outings, giving us little reason to invest in their defence before back-to-back home clashes (SWA & MCI) in Gameweek 34. In saying that, injuries to Tim Krul and Rob Elliot are set to afford Karl Darlow – at just 3.9 – a run of starts as Benitez attempts to stave off the threat of relegation. It’s further up the field where our main interests lie, though. Although he’s not scored for nine starts, Georginio Wijnaldum’s home bias (all nine goals at St James’ Park) renders him a left-field differential, while Aleksandar Mitrovic is the form man in the Tynesiders’ attack. Delving further into the Serbian marksman’s potential, he ranked fourth for attempts (15), third for shots inside the box (14) and joint-fourth for shots on target (six) among all forwards in their last four matches. Having started off the bench last weekend, his brace at Norwich surely puts Mitrovic in pole position to lead the line once again.