Monday lunchtime affords us the chance to assess the recent batch of international matches, with five more days still remaining until the Premier League returns.
We take a look at the main points of note, looking at stand-out performers and injury news, over the action so far.
On Thursday, once the remaining matches have passed, we’ll be rolling out our usual post-internationals update, offering a team-by-team analysis of minutes played and miles travelled ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
With many Fantasy Premier League managers mulling over wildcards, Hull’s Robert Snodgrass served a timely reminder of his talents in Scotland’s 5-1 win over Malta last night.
Forced off with a calf complaint in the Gameweek 3 home loss to Man United, the playmaker returned to action by firing a hat-trick for Gordon Strachan’s side
Snodgrass has a favourable trip to Burnley up next but then faces Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in successive Gameweeks. As his opening day winner against champions Leicester City indicates, though, he’s capable of delivering in so-called tougher fixtures.
Big Sam had Adam Lallana to thank as his tenure as England manager got off to a winning start.
The Liverpool man showed his recent domestic form is no fluke by netting a late winner against Slovakia last night. Priced at 7.1 in Fantasy Premier League, Lallana has registered more shots inside the box than any midfielder over the first three fixtures.
Lallana isn’t the only Reds’ midfielder to monitor, though.
His Anfield team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum bagged Holland’s only goal in a 2-1 home loss to Greece, whilst owners of Sadio Mane will be relieved to hear that he has returned to training at Melwood today, dispelling any fears of an injury after he was withdrawn during Senegal’s 2-0 win over Namibia at the weekend.
Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, has revealed that the Merseysiders have made “special arrangements” to fly Philippe Coutinho back earlier than expected. The in-form schemer turns out for Brazil at home to Colombia in the early hours of Wednesday morning but will return to Liverpool just 24 hours later – he was initially expected back on Thursday night ahead of the weekend clash against Leicester.
Returning our focus on England, the main point of note so far centres around their defenders.
Last night’s match saw John Stones and Kyle Walker return to action –both were forced off in the previous Gameweek and currently sit amongst the top five FPL defenders in terms of ownership.
Luke Shaw – the third most popular FPL backline option – withdrew from the squad but is expected to be available for Saturday lunchtime’s Manchester derby.
Shaw’s availability will key for Jose Mourinho, given that the United manager has conceded that Antonio Valencia’s international duties with Ecuador means he won’t return to England until 24 hours before facing City at Old Trafford.
Mourinho will be happier by the contribution of a couple of his midfielders in France’s win over Italy. Big-money signing Paul Pogba provided a pair of assists in the 3-1 victory, including one for Anthony Martial’s opener.
Over on the blue half of Manchester, Pep Guardiola will also be delighted with David Silva’s output in Spain’s 2-0 win over Belgium. Stationed on the left of a 4-1-4-1 – as opposed to his new central role in the same formation at the Etihad – Silva notched both his nation’s goals, including a converted spot-kick.
So far, he’s only managed one assist in FPL, despite City scoring nine times already.
Diego Costa emerged from the bench to supply an assist in that match. The Chelsea man’s renaissance continues – second most transferred in forward this week as a result of Sergio Aguero’s suspension, he’s risen to 9.7 in price. Along with Wayne Rooney, Costa is one of only two frontmen to produce attacking returns in each of the first three Gameweeks.
Whilst the Costa bandwagon is picking up pace, Dimitri Payet has been subject to a significant exodus after playing just 24 minutes in the opening three matches.
Over 465,000 FPL managers have already transferred out the West Ham playmaker, yet he returned to action in Les Bleus’ win over Italy with a 45-minute run-out off the bench.
Sitting in just 14% of sides, he’s down to 9.4 and has four home fixtures in six to convince us he’s worth bringing back on board.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud was also amongst the goals in that match before being replaced at the break. Eased into domestic action by Arsene Wenger, the striker will now be pushing for a first start of the season at home to Southampton.
The Gunners will also be relieved after Laurent Koscielny was withdrawn against the Azzurri due to a precautionary measure concerning his ongoing back problem. The centre-half is back in full training and available for tomorrow night’s encounter with Belarus.
Although Harry Kane’s goal drought continues, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased to see Christian Eriksen fire a weekend winner against Armenia for Denmark.
However, Eriksen was overshadowed by Middlesbrough’s Viktor Fischer over his nation’s pair of matches – the latter scored in a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein and then supplied an assist for Eriksen’s strike.
Boro’s wide man faces a tough task to convince us just yet, though – he’s been afforded one Premier League minute since arriving on Teeside.
Elsewhere, Jon Walters bagged two goals and an assist in Republic of Ireland’s 4-0 win over Oman and will be hoping to force his way into Mark Hughes’ plans after earning minutes as a sub in each of the first three matches.
Arguably, the main news from the Ireland camp has been the return to training of Seamus Coleman ahead of tonight’s outing against Serbia. Now down to 5.4 in FPL, the right-back looks favourite to oust Mason Holgate from the Everton XI when domestic action resumes on Saturday.
Holgate has earned an assist, three bonus points and a clean sheet since deputising for the stricken Irishman and has earned over 184,000 transfers in, though his minutes now look in question as a result of Coleman’s recuperation.
Finally, Crystal Palace’s Chung-yong Lee scored for South Korea in 3-2 win over China earlier in the break.
Having started each of the first two Gameweeks, the former Bolton man dropped to the bench as Alan Pardew rolled out a 4-4-2 at home to Bournemouth in Christian Benteke’s first league match of the season. Lee looks set to struggle for more starts, even though Palace are monitoring the fitness of Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur, who both withdrew from international duties before the weekend.
7 years, 9 months agoThoughts on this WC team please 🙂 Heavy emphasis on midfield
------------------- Foster
--------Valencia Stones Baines
Hazard Sanchez Mane Lamela Barkley
------------ Ibrahimovic Gray
Subs: Jaku Diamonde Amat Kingsley