Yannick Bolasie maintains his fine recent form by netting a spot-kick for DR Congo. Jamie Vardy pulls out of England’s clash with France due to a hip problem, Ghana’s Andre Ayew is a doubt, John O’Shea is back in training for the Republic of Ireland, whilst Villa’s Jordan Amavi is ruled out for the season.
Bolasie Notches Again for Congo
Yannick Bolasie netted from the penalty spot as DR Congo drew 2-2 at home to Burundi in their World Cup qualifier. The Palace winger has now scored in both his nation’s matches over the international break.
The Scout Says: Deployed as a forward against Liverpool, Bolasie carded his second goal in five league outings as he belatedly finds his form. Over the last six Gameweeks, he places top among the Eagles’ midfield contingent for shots inside the box (six) and shots on target (six), yet Alan Pardew’s men have struggled as an attacking unit, amassing just six goals over that stretch due to their lack of a target man up top. However, back-to-back home ties against Sunderland and Newcastle, and the return of strike duo Connor Wickham and Marouane Chamakh, could be just the antidote to their recent impotency while also affording Bolasie (6.1) with a prime opportunity to prolong his recent scoring streak.
Ayew Minor Doubt for Ghana
Swansea midfielder Andre Ayew is a slight doubt for Ghana’s clash with Comoros tomorrow after sustaining a “minor knee problem†in training during the weekend.
The Scout Says: Ayew is still owned by over 18% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers after scoring three times in the first four Gameweeks. Since then, he’s been the Swans’ main source of Fantasy points, having scored two of their five goals from Gameweek 5 onwards as Garry Monk’s outfit tumble down the table. Certainly, the Ghana international’s owners will hold for this weekend’s home clash with Bournemouth but the following schedule, which sees Swansea square up to Liverpool, Leicester, Man City, West Ham and West Brom in successive matches, may very well spark an exodus.
Long and O’Shea Back in Training for Republic
The Republic of Ireland were handed a boost ahead of their Euro 2016 play-off clash against Bosnia after Shane Long and John O’Shea returned to training.
The Scout Says: O’Shea’s potential return to action will be a big relief for Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce. The Black Cats conceded just once in the two matches that O’Shea started but have shipped seven goals in the pair of fixtures he’s missed due to a hamstring injury. With Palace, Stoke and Watford in the next four, the 4.3-priced O’Shea will surely be handed a role in the heart of the Wearsiders’ defence as Big Sam attempts to steer his charges away from the drop zone. Long’s availability, though, will have next-to-no impact on Fantasy managers. The forward, who has been handed 15 minutes since Gameweek 3, looks well behind Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle as preferred options under Ronald Koeman, with Steven Davis’ two strikes in the last five strengthening his claim for a role in the attacking midfield three slots behind the big Italian.
Vardy Withdraws from Three Lions Duties
Jamie Vardy has been ruled out of England’s friendly against France on Tuesday by virtue of the hip injury he sustained against Watford last Gameweek.
The Scout Says: Vardy is now in a race to be fit for the Foxes’ trip to Newcastle United next Gameweek as he closes in on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 10-match scoring streak. The Leicester striker will be hell-bent on proving his fitness in time to face a Magpies defence that ranks joint-second for goals conceded (13) across the previous six Gameweeks. Certainly, Vardy has shown no signs of slowing up in the last four Gameweeks, charting top among forwards for attempts (20), joint-second for shots inside the box (15) and second for shots on target (nine). Should his injury be more than just a minor knock, though, any length of absence would have a significant effect on FPL teams, given his 53% ownership, whilst Leicester’s fixtures from Gameweek 14 onwards (MUN, swa, CHE, eve, liv, MCI) could see the Foxes struggle to continue the form that’s seen them score in every league match so far.
Amavi Ruled Out for Season
Aston Villa confirmed that Jordan Amavi ruptured his knee ligaments playing for France U21s on Thursday and will play no further part this season.
The Scout Says: Amavi’s absence will likely pave the way for Kieran Richardson to claim the left-back berth ahead of Jose Angel Crespo. Priced at 4.2, the ex-Sunderland recruit would represent the most budget-friendly starter among Villa’s backline and the second-cheapest defensive regular – behind Leicester City’s Danny Simpson (4.0) – across the entire league, underlining his budget potential. Although Remi Garde kicked off his tenure with a goalless draw at home to Man City, few Fantasy managers will be eyeing up a Villans defence that faces off against the likes of Everton, Southampton (both away) and Arsenal (home) over the next four Gameweeks.
Baines Talks Up Prospects Ahead of Toffees Return
Everton’s Leighton Baines has been discussing his recent return to action with the local media. The Toffees left-back grabbed a goal and assist for the reserves last week and reckons he’s primed to rediscover the form that made him such a Fantasy sensation in seasons gone by:
“The injury has been new ground for me. It was weird in that respect. The first time it was like, ‘What do I do here?’ After a while I was thinking maybe it was meant to be. I have never had more than 10 days off my whole career in terms of stopping and doing nothing [even in the close season]… There’s no reason I can’t be as good as I was five years ago. If I am not I can look at myself in the mirror. It won’t be for the want of trying. If you had seen me train over the last few months you can see I’m keen to work.â€
The Scout Says: Having served up 130+ points in each of the previous five seasons, Baines has been one of the most consistent Fantasy defenders around. Yet to feature this term due to an ankle injury, the defender could finally in line for a return to the first XI as Roberto Martinez’ men play host to struggling Villa this weekend. With some superb fixtures over the next seven (AVL, bou, CPL, nor, LEI, new, STO) Baines – down to 6.1 and owned by just 2% of FPL managers – looks a ready-made differential as the Merseysiders look to take advantage of the schedule and scale the table. With just three clean sheets to their name, in addition to the absence of Phil Jagielka, there are some reservations over investing in Everton’s defence but Baines’ propensity for attacking points may well make him worth the flutter.
Chester Worried over Lack of West Brom Minutes
West Brom defender James Chester has admitted concerns over his lack of playing time. The versatile defender believes his dream of playing for Wales in next year’s Euro 2016 could be scuppered by Tony Pulis’ refusal to hand him domestic minutes for the Baggies in recent months:
“I have to start playing at West Brom because it’s impossible to play at this level and not be playing for your club week-in, week-out. I need to be playing at my club to give me the best chance of going to France and playing when we get there. I don’t think it’s good enough to be playing for Wales when I’m not playing for West Brom. When I signed he (Pulis) said he knew I could play at centre-half but he wanted to use me at full-back. I don’t really have a problem with that provided I’m playing in the Premier League which is where I want to be.â€
The Scout Says: After starting the Gameweek 1 home loss to champions Man City, Chester has been made something of a scapegoat and has failed to get back into the Baggies XI. The Welshman has relied on two sub appearances over Gameweek 7-8 for further minutes, with Pulis choosing to field Craig Dawson at right-back instead. With Gareth McAuley suspended for this weekend’s visit of Arsenal, Chester could find his way back in contention if Pulis shifts Dawson into the centre, though with West Ham, Spurs and Liverpool to follow, Fantasy interest in the Baggies’ defence has slightly diminished for now.
