Our second Scout Mission of the season comes around this evening, as we look for some of the key points of interest in the Gameweek ahead.
Paul Pogba looks to build on Friday’s showing against the Saints, Eden Hazard and Riyad Mahrez battle it out as our preferred midfield big-hitter and Christian Benteke’s impact on Palace’s fortunes are amongst tonight’s topics.
Pogba under the microscope…
To this point our focus has been on Paul Pogba’s impact on those around him – how his strength and energy will bring the best from others. But Pogba undoubtedly has all the ingredients of a key Fantasy asset in his own right.
The Frenchman scored eight goals for Juventus last season, coupled with an impressive 12 assists that would have placed him third behind Mesut Ozil and Christian Eriksen in Premier League terms.
The trip to Hull City will give us more data on Pogba’s potential – it will offer us another view on how he fits into the United setup away from Old Trafford, where Jose Mourinho may well temper his runs forward and ask him to prioritise containing the opponents rather than spring boarding attacks and raiding the box.
Kane as a number ten….
As new assets enter the equation, other reliable sources of points show signs of waning.
Harry Kane was already a concern heading into the season off the back of an abject Euro 16 campaign. Those worries were amplified by a laboured display at Goodison Park which saw the striker fail to register a single effort on goal.
Vincent Janssen’s introduction in that encounter was a rehearsal for what was to come at White Hart Lane in Gameweek 2. The Dutch striker started against the Eagles, with Kane drifting back to a deeper position.
Kane’s performance was actually lifted but only two of his six goal attempts against Palace came from inside the box, with Janssen boasting three efforts from inside the area. Kane has had just five touches in the box thus far.
The meeting with Liverpool will provide another glimpse at how Kane will work in tandem with Janssen and whether he can justify his heavy-hitter price tag from a withdrawn role. We fear not.
Hazard vs Mahrez….
With Kevin De Bruyne seemingly stifled by a central role and Alexis Sanchez and Dimitri Payet still yet to fire, the choice of top bracket midfielders currently sits with Eden Hazard or Riyad Mahrez.
Boasting 27% and 23% ownership respectively, Mahrez and Hazard head into Gameweek 3 with plenty of support, although the latter’s popularity is growing at a much faster rate.
The weekend offers an opportunity for one of the pair to edge ahead; both have strong home ties, with Mahrez set to trouble the Swansea’s defence, while Hazard will be the major threat at Stamford Bridge.
Until their heavy-hitting rivals ignite, these two will likely yo-yo in popularity with Gameweek 3 providing the first major swing.
Heaton as our one-stop keeper…
Tom Heaton is already exceeding our expectations. The clean sheet at home to Liverpool was certainly unforeseen but immediately boosted the 4.5 stopper to the top of the goalkeeper rankings.
Now Heaton and Burnley head to Chelsea in an attempt to defy the odds once more.
If he can again offer returns, there will be a growing case to consider Heaton as a one-stop shop option, providing our solution and points both home and away.
That would change the landscape somewhat, driving us towards either Hull City’s Eldin Jakupovic or even Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford as a bench option, freeing up valuable funds.
Benteke’s audition for the third striker slot…
Christian Benteke’s start at home to Bournemouth is far from certain. However, he’s already become a prime target.
With funds soaked up by Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, we are somewhat resigned to risk a low-to-mid price option as our third striker.
Benteke would sweeten that pill.
A proven Premier League marksman, his 19-goal season in an Aston Villa side is still stored in memory.
Significantly, even in a stalled campaign for Liverpool last year, Benteke mustered nine goals. He also averaged an effort on goal every 27 minutes – faster than his 28.5 back in that 2012/13 campaign with Villa.
Score against Bournemouth and an international break bandwagon seems inevitable.
Everton at full strength…
The Toffees have already hinted at an upturn in output under Ronald Koeman.
The home clash with Stoke City could witness the Dutchman field something close to his strongest line-up, with Ashley Williams, Yannick Bolasie and Romelu Lukaku thrown into the mix.
Saturday’s teamshsheet will be close to his first choice XI and will tell where Bolasie slots in and what it means for Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas as midfield differentials.
Lukaku is also vital. At 9.0, he could yet be the man to break up the monopoly of Aguero and Ibrahimovic in our squads. A hugely popular target in pre-season, he’s now owned by just 6.1% and yet has the potential to push over the 20-goal mark.
Like the Benteke scenario, should Lukaku break loose against Stoke, it would present a fascinating scenario heading into the break which may even slow the ascent of the Manchester pairing.
The return of Wenger’s Euro stars…
Arsenal are another side fielding imposters. We’re yet to see Arsene Wenger’s best hand but the Gameweek 3 trip to Watford should see us edge closer.
The likes of Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud will surely be considered for starts. That will likely see a shift, with Alexis Sanchez perhaps moving to the right, with Ozil back in the number ten role, forcing Santi Cazorla into the double pivot.
There are so many questions to be answered in this Arsenal side and, in all likelihood, new ingredients to arrive before the transfer window closes.
The only thing that is certain is that, at some point, we will look to Arsenal for Fantasy assets.
With the transfer deadline imminent and their fixtures about to improve considerably, that could be sooner rather than later.
Redmond and Tadic part three…
News of Southampton’s possible interest in Sofiane Boufal already has Nathan Redmond’s owners 11% ownership wavering somewhat.
Dusan Tadic is producing the underlying numbers to suggest that, at some point, when Redmond’s security of start is in question, he will supercede the former Norwich winger as our Saints weapon of choice.
However, while Redmond remains part of Claude Puel’s front two, he has the edge over the Serb.
The home fixture with a suffering Sunderland gives both a stage to flourish.
Sterling’s ascent as a midfield option…
You get the feeling that he just needs a goal.
Raheem Sterling’s performances thus far have already hinted at a renaissance – just the slimmest suggestion that he can rekindle the level of output we saw for Liverpool.
We almost need him to step up – to provide another option in the sub 8.5 midfield bracket that can help us pump funds into our forward lines.
A run at the West Ham defence could offer the platform for Sterling to truly break out.
Pep Guardiola has switched his flanks so far this season but you get the feeling that he will target Sam Byram as the likely weak spot in Bilic’s back four.
