Yaya Toure is passed fit for City’s trip to Real Madrid. Robert Huth and Marouane Fellaini are handed violent conduct charges by the FA, Cesc Fabregas could also face a charge in light of Monday’s tunnel altercation at the Bridge, whilst Emre Can and Santi Cazorla step up their recoveries from injury.
Toure available for Real clash
During his pre-match press conference ahead of City’s clash with Real Madrid this evening, Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that Yaya Toure is fit and available after recovering from a muscle injury. David Silva is still sidelined with a hamstring problem and is joined on the sidelines by Pablo Zabaleta – the latter took to twitter to announce he’s ruled out for around three weeks with a calf complaint.
The Scout Says: It remains to be seen whether Toure will make a first-team return at the Bernabeu, given that he was benched in the last Champions League match he was available for. Instead, Pellegrini could choose to unleash him from the start against Arsenal on Sunday in a match that City need to win to climb above their visitors into third. Despite the numerous changes to Sunday’s team sheet at Southampton, the importance of the Arsenal clash – which is also Pellegrini’s final home league match in charge – suggests that the Etihad side could be back to full strength against the Gunners. Even if they progress past Madrid, the fact that the Champions League final takes place on May 28 would surely quell any need for rotation this weekend, allowing Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne likely returns to the domestic fold after they warmed the bench from start to finish at St Mary’s. At the back, Zabaleta’s absence looks set to allow Bacary Sagna a domestic return – the Frenchman has failed to start the last six league matches but now looks poised to line up at right-back for the final two clashes against the Gunners and Swansea.
FA charge Huth and Fellaini
The FA have confirmed that Robert Huth and Marouane Fellaini have been retrospectively charged with violent conduct following an incident in Leicester’s draw with United last Sunday. The pair have until 6pm this evening to reply.
The Scout Says: Should they be found guilty, a three-match ban looks on the cards for both players. This would rule Huth out of Leicester’s final two league matches and the summer’s Community Shield, whilst Fellaini would miss United’s final three league matches before being available for the FA Cup final clash against Palace. Clearly, with a single goal to his name all season, Fellaini’s likely absence would have next to no effect on Fantasy teams, though Huth’s potential ban may well persuade those holding Leicester’s defenders to cash in ahead of double Gameweek 37. Furthermore, with the league already won, there’s the chance that Claudio Ranieri could choose to play with the handbrake off once again after months of grinding out the wins, thus reducing the Foxes’ prospects of clean sheets in the final two fixtures.
Fabregas could face FA charge
Reports from yesterday’s local press suggest that Cesc Fabregas could be in hot water for his alleged involvement in the tunnel fracas at the end of Chelsea’s home draw against Tottenham.
The Scout Says: With three double-figure hauls in seven appearances prior to Monday’s match, the Blues’ midfielder had started to convince he was worth a double Gameweek 37 gamble for trips to Sunderland and Liverpool. A possible suspension for the Spaniard could strengthen Eden Hazard’s case for inclusion after he emerged from the bench to notch a late leveler against Mauricio Pochettino’s men. Guus Hiddink could also choose to hand Ruben Loftus-Cheek more minutes in the central support role before the season is out, though after dropping to the bench in the last two, there’s clearly big question marks over the 4.6-priced youngster’s pitch time. Elsewhere in the Blues midfield, though, Willian has bagged a goal and assist in the last two and, at a cost of 7.0, has remained under the radar in recent weeks with just 7% ownership.
Can steps up Reds recovery
Liverpool’s Emre Can is back in training ahead of the midweek Champions League clash with Villarreal. The German had initially been expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season with an ankle injury but could be in contention for Thursday’s evening’s squad.
The Scout Says: With Can sidelined for the last five league matches, Jurgen Klopp has afforded the likes of Kevin Stewart and Joe Allen more pitch time as he juggles his squad to cope with the busy schedule. Should the German prove his fitness, his return merely adds another name to Klopp’s options in the centre of the park and heightens the idea of rest and rotation – particularly if Liverpool progress past the Spanish outfit. Ahead of Liverpool’s double Gameweek 37 home matches with Watford and Chelsea, the result in Europe may ultimately determine their domestic Fantasy prospects from this point onwards. Lose in midweek and the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and James Milner could well benefit if Klopp decides to finish the league strongly. A win, however, is likely to see the current team sheet uncertainty remain, bearing in mind that the Europa League final comes just three days after Liverpool play West Brom in Gameweek 38.
Big Sam hints at tinkering
Ahead of Sunderland’s pair of double Gameweek home matches against Chelsea and Everton, Sam Allardyce admitted he’s likely to make some team sheet alterations to cope with the busy schedule. Bracing himself for a run of three fixtures in eight days, the Black Cats boss went on to say:
“We’ll probably change the side more in these three games than we have done since the turn of the year. The (current side) have played well enough to stay in the team, which causes an under-current of very frustrated players in the squad, The challenge for the frustrated lads is be ready and when you get the chance, grasp it with both hands. If they do that, then they stay in the team”.
The Scout Says: Certainly, with 14 goals to his name it would be a major surprise if Jermain Defoe was amongst those rested to the bench. The 5.3-priced frontman fired eight attempts against Stoke on Saturday and looks far too vital to his side’s prospects of survival to be omitted from the first XI. Looking at Big Sam’s recent substitutions, it seems far more likely than he’ll freshen up on the flanks – Fabio Borini and Wahbi Khazri remain in pole position, though the likes of Duncan Watmore, Dame N’Doye and even Jeremain Lens will all be pushing for inclusion. Allardyce also has a tendency to manage Jan Kirchoff’s minutes – perhaps something to consider for those eyeing up a defence with three clean sheets in five. With regards to the Sunderland backline, then, five-goal Patrick van Aanholt remains the man most likely as the Wearsiders attempt to play their way to safety.
Cazorla handed run out for Gunners reserves
Santi Cazorla stepped up his recovery from a five-month injury lay-off by playing 60 minutes for Arsenal reserves last night. The Spaniard earned an assist in the 2-1 win over Blackburn and was joined by the likes of Tomas Rosicky, Calum Chambers and Serge Gnabry in the starting line-up.
The Scout Says: After returning to the first-team squad as an unused sub in last weekend’s narrow win over Norwich, it seems likely that the importance of this week’s trip to City will ensure Cazorla remains on bench-warming duties as the Gunners look to move six points clear of the Etihad outfit. Whilst Arsenal’s home match against Villa in Gameweek 38 obviously bolsters the armband appeal of Alexis Sanchez, it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger will make too many changes to his starting XI on the final day, bearing in mind that the Gunners are currently still in with a shout of overhauling Tottenham in second.
