Scout Scribbles – De Bruyne Nets in City Stalemate

Kevin de Bruyne is amongst the goals again as Man City share the spoils with PSG. Roberto Firmino returns to training ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Dortmund, Andre Ayew could be back for Swansea this weekend, whilst Stoke are handed mixed injury news prior to Sunday’s trip to Anfield.

City salvage point in Paris

Manchester City secured a precious 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final, affording them a slight advantage heading into the second leg. Manuel Pellegrini fielded a full-strength XI, deploying Kevin De Bruyne in “the hole” behind Sergio Aguero once again. The former Wolfsburg starlet opened the scoring, while Fernandinho bagged a goal and assist. Joe Hart also delivered the goods on his return from injury, saving Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s penalty in the 14^th minute.

The Scout Says: With two goals in as many starts since vacating the treatment room, De Bruyne has reaffirmed his status as the Sky Blues’ premier midfield pick ahead of a favourable quartet of ties (WBA, che &new, STO) over the next three Gameweeks. Encouragingly, De Bruyne was afforded 77 minutes last night – as opposed to 56 minutes against Bournemouth on Saturday – which highlights that Pellegrini is quickly allowing him the chance to build up his match sharpness ahead of City’s double. Given that Nicolas Otamendi (6.5) appears to be the only safe starter in the Sky Blues’ back line, the fit-again Hart (5.6) serves as their value source of defensive coverage for a stretch brimming with clean-sheet potential.

Firmino returns to training for Reds

Roberto Firmino played a full part in Liverpool training last night ahead of their Europa League clash against Borussia Dortmund this evening.

The Scout Says: In the event that Firmino is afforded a decent run-out at the Westfalenstadion, some Gameweek 33 wildcarders might be tempted to re-assess their Liverpool attacking coverage. Owing to Firmino’s hamstring issue, Philippe Coutinho (two goals in two) emerged as the prime route into the Reds’ squad – indeed, he currently ranks third among all players for “transfers in” (60,000) this Gameweek. However, the former boasts a superior key-pass frequency (one every 41 minutes to 49 minute) shot accuracy (40% compared to 28%) and shot-conversion rate (17% to 8%) than his Brazilian teammate, illustrating his greater efficiency in the final third. Ultimately, both men represent strong selections in light of Liverpool’s double Gameweeks 34 (bou &EVE) and 37 (WAT & CHE) and absence of a blank, which hands them a plum home clash with Newcastle in Gameweek 35.

Ayew close to Swans comeback

Having returned to full training following an ankle injury, Andre Ayew looks in line to be fit for Chelsea’s visit on Saturday.

The Scout Says: Although he’s expected to immediately return to Francesco Guidolin’s starting XI, Ayew will struggle to claim any level of Fantasy interest over the run-in. The Swans’ brutal run-in (CHE, new, lei, LIV, whu, MCI) and lack of a double Gameweek encourages us to disregard their Fantasy prospects and turn to those with doubles instead. That being said, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 9% ownership might feel inclined to retain the form midfielder (eight goals in 13) until Swansea face off against Newcastle’s obliging defence in Gameweek 34.

Mixed news for Potters

Stoke City assistant manager Mark Bowen confirmed that Ryan Shawcross and Xherdan Shaqiri could be passed fit for their trip to Liverpool on Sunday:

“From Ryan’s point of view going into the weekend … we are now on Wednesday, the players have a day’s rest tomorrow and we’ll see how he is on Friday with one eye to the game at Liverpool. Shaq has trained again this week so we’re delighted with that. He seems to have come through ok and I definitely think with him, if he gets no reaction, he’ll be in the frame to start against Liverpool.”

Bowen also revealed that Geoff Cameron sat out training due to illness and Glenn Whelan is struggling with back spasms:

“Glenn hasn’t trained for the last two days. He came out of the game on Saturday and came in on Monday full in spasm with his back. I’m not a physiotherapist but I think at this stage, it’s one of those, it could settle down very quickly but if it carries on the way it is he is a major doubt for the weekend.”

The Scout Says: In appreciation of the Potters’ tough upcoming trio of match-ups (liv, TOT, mci) and lack of a double Gameweek, their Fantasy assets have disappeared off our radar. Nonetheless, Shawcross’ return to action could tighten up a defence that managed just one clean sheet in the eight fixtures he’s missed this year. On that topic, Stoke have surrendered just five goals in the seven home fixtures that their captain has started, which is food for thought for Harry Kane and Dele Alli before Spurs’ trip to the Britannia Stadium in Gameweek 34.