City’ Joe Hart could be set for a quick return to action, though Raheem Sterling could be out for the season. Stoke’s Jon Walters withdraws from Ireland duties, Alberto Moreno is back in full training for Liverpool, whilst Sunderland’s Lamine Kone withdraws from Ivory Coast duties due to injury.
Mixed News for City
Reports suggest that Joe Hart is hoping to shake off the calf complaint that forced him off against United last weekend in time for Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on April 6. Meanwhile, Yaya Toure has withdrawn from Ivory Coast’s meeting with Sudan after aggravating a heel issue, whilst Raheem Sterling is set to be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks after limping off against the Red Devils with a groin injury.
The Scout Says: Assuming Hart’s prognosis is accurate, he would miss the Sky Blues’ trip to Bournemouth on April 2 but be in contention for their double Gameweek 34 (che & new), making him the cheapest secure route into Man City’s defence across the two road ties. Although Manuel Pellegrini’s men tasted defeat in four of their previous five match-ups, it’s well worth noting that no team has recorded as many shut-outs on their travels (eight). On the flip side, only three teams have chalked up fewer goals in road fixtures (13) than Man City, which paints a bleak picture of their attacking potential over the double. Given that Sterling is now sidelined and Toure (one goal in seven) and David Silva (one goal and three assists in nine) have failed to live up to their lofty valuations, Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping that Kevin de Bruyne has fully recovered from his knee injury in time to spearhead City’s bid for a top four finish.
Walters Pulls Out of Ireland Squad
Jonathan Walters has been ruled out of Ireland’s friendly against Switzerland with a hamstring complaint but is expected to recover in time to face Slovakia next Thursday.
The Scout Says: Although Walters notched a goal and assist against Watford in Xherdan Shaqiri’s absence last time out, he lacks the regularity of starts and promise of a double Gameweek to register on our Fantasy radar. Marko Arnautovic – who ranks second among midfielders for goals (10) this term – represents the choice route into the Potters’ offense, but Stoke’s tricky run (liv, TOT, mci) beyond a home tie against Swansea City should encourage his 18% ownership to re-invest in a double Gameweek midfielder. By that same token, Jack Butland’s 27% ownership – who’ve profited from a solitary clean sheet in nine outings – might also consider cutting ties after the Swans match-up.
Moreno Back in Contention for Reds
Speaking from Liverpool’s warm-weather camp in Spain, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Alberto Moreno will return to full training today:
“It’s really big for us. We let him come in this morning, training light – no real challenges, he could pass a few balls and things like this. But it was really good and he felt absolutely nothing, so from tomorrow he is completely back in the race, which is very important for us.”
The German head coach also offered an update on Roberto Firmino, stating that the Brazilian midfielder is “in a good way” after missing the Reds’ trip to Southampton because of a hamstring injury.
The Scout Says: Given that Liverpool face a double in Gameweek 34 (bou & EVE) and 37 (WAT & CHE) are guaranteed a fixture in Gameweek 35 and play at home for four of their next five fixtures, their Fantasy assets are in high demand. Firmino’s excellent form (five goals and four assists in six starts) has propelled him to the top of many manager’s shopping lists, while Philippe Coutinho (three goals in five outings across all competitions) and Adam Lallana (three goals and as many assists in six) have also staked strong claims for investment with their recent output. At the other end of the pitch, Jon Flanagan’s return to action renders Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne rotation risks during their double, ensuring that Simon Mignolet is the only nailed-on starter. Regardless, the fact that only five teams have recorded fewer home clean sheets (four) than Liverpool lessens our faith in their defensive prospects.
Schweinsteiger sidelined for United
Bastian Schweinsteiger is set for a spell on the sidelines after scans confirmed he suffered knee ligament damage during training with Germany yesterday.
The Scout Says: With a single goal and assist to his name this season, it’s fair to say that Schweinsteiger has failed to flourish since arriving at Old Trafford. Assessing the viable midfield options within the Manchester United camp, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are the only ones that factor into our thinking. The former carded one goal and two assists in his last five starts, while the latter – who’s priced at just 4.3 – has amassed four goals in 1120 league minutes this term, underlining his potential value as a budget fifth midfielder during the Red Devils’ double Gameweek 34 (AVL, CRY). Although United were much maligned for their paucity of attacking threat in the first half of the campaign, the fact they netted seven goals in their previous three home encounters suggests they’re capable of punishing the obliging defences of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
Kone Concern for Sunderland
Lamine Kone will play no part in the Ivory Coast’s upcoming head-to-head against Sudan after picking up an injury.
The Scout Says: Although Kone is kindly priced at 4.3 and has a double Gameweek 37 (CHE & EVE), the fact that Sunderland haven’t earned a clean sheet in 16 league outings ensures that Fantasy managers will look to mainly steer clear of their budget defenders. The one exception is Patrick van Aanholt. Owing to his attacking threat (five goals and three assists) and the Black Cats’ decent trio of fixtures (WBA, LEI, nor), the 4.7-priced Dutchman could emerge as a profitable differential for anyone brave enough to invest in the Wearsiders’ backline.
Sessegnon Notches for Benin
Stephane Sessegnon scored the opener for Benin as they ran out 2-1 victors over South Sudan in their African Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Scout Says: Although he’s started ten of West Brom’s last 12 league outings, Sessegnon has struggled for an end product and managed just one goal and two assists all season. Prior to their shock home loss to Norwich last weekend, Tony Pulis’ side had been in fine form, though, with the 5.1-priced Craig Gardener – who has chalked up two goals and an assist in his last four outings – arriving on one or two radars ahead of their Gameweek 34 double. Looking at the fixtures, though, Tony Pulis’ side hit the road in four of their next five (sun, mci, WAT & ars, tot), and with three of those trips against a side sitting in the top four, investment in the midlands outfit looks unlikely.
