Chelsea’s Champions League dream is ended by La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid. Tottenham’s Andros Townsend is ruled out for over two months with ankle ligament damage, Gareth McAuley looks on course to return in time for West Brom’s double Gameweek, whilst Joseph Yobo is available for Norwich again as the Canaries attempt to drag themselves out of the drop zone:
CHELSEA CRASH OUT OF EUROPE
Despite welcoming captain John Terry and Eden Hazard back into the starting line-up for last night’s Champions League semi-final second leg, Jose Mourinho could do nothing to stop his side slipping to defeat against Atletico Madrid. The Chelsea boss made five changes from his side’s vital victory over Liverpool on Sunday, with Fernando Torres chosen to spearhead the team against his old side and Cesar Azpilicueta unexpectedly fielded on the right of the attacking three alongside Willian and the returning Eden Hazard. Torres grabbed the opening goal of the game courtesy of a cut back from Azpilicueta, but it was the Blues’ defence that let them down on night as they conceded three goals at home for the first time this season.
The Scout Says: With the momentum from their tactical masterclass over Liverpool still fresh in everyone’s minds, many believed that Mourinho’s men had it in them to reach the Champions League final last night. With their European dreams now over, the north London outfit only have two remaining games this campaign; they welcome Norwich this weekend before visiting Cardiff on the final day of the season as they look to defy the odds and climb above Manchester City and Liverpool to the summit of the table. Azpilicueta’s owners will be intrigued by his performance last night, as Mourinho opted to the play the 5.7-priced defender in his attacking three ahead of the likes of Andre Schurrle and Oscar, though the Spaniard returned to his normal left back position when the former was introduced for Ashley Cole in the second half. Whilst Azpilicueta’s owners will be intrigued by last night’s switch of position, it seems more likely that Mourinho will turn to his more attack-minded players for the last two league games, given just how porous both opponents’ defences have been this season – Hazard’s return to the XI may well persuade some to re-invest in the Belgian, with his price dropping from 11.2 to 10.3 in recent weeks. A further point of note from last night’s match is that for the first time in three seasons, we won’t have a double Gameweek 1 to get us underway when the 2014/15 campaign kicks off in August –the Blues’ participation in the European Super Cup in the past two years has previously forced a Premier League reschedule.
TOWNSEND OUT OF WORLD CUP
Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend has been ruled out for up to ten weeks after it was announced that he will undergo surgery on an ankle problem later today. The England international picked up the injury against Stoke on Saturday and further scans on the complaint have confirmed that the ligament damage sustained will require surgery.
The Scout Says: A devastating blow for the young winger, who exploded onto the World Cup and Fantasy football stage earlier this season following an incredible debut in an England shirt swiftly followed by a first Premier League goal of the season back in Gameweek 8. Injury has since curtailed Townsend’s potential, with the Spurs man mainly reduced to substitute appearances since Gameweek 11 and devoid of attacking returns since that early-season strike, but there is no doubt he would still have been harbouring hopes of a seat on the plane to Brazil. The midfielder’s absence for the remainder of the campaign should see Cristian Eriksen and Aaron Lennon’s starting berths on the wings guaranteed for Spurs’ final two fixtures, with Tim Sherwood’s side travelling to West Ham this weekend before hosting Villa on the final day of the season.
YOBO BACK FOR RELEGATION SCRAP
Joseph Yobo has declared himself fit for Norwich’s two vital remaining Premier League games of the season. The on-loan centre-half has been sidelined since the Canaries loss to West Brom at the start of April with a calf injury, but has been given the all-clear for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday.
The Scout Says: Three clean sheets in eight appearances since his loan move from Fenerbahce in January had seen Yobo offer a viable route into the Canaries’ backline until his recently injury problems. A weekend return for the 3.9-priced defender will put the starting berths of Russell Martin and Michael Turner under considerable pressure, as Neil Adams will be desperate to keep his defence tight for Sunday’s match with Chelsea and next weekend’s trip to Arsenal in his hunt for Premier League survival.
MCAULEY BACK IN TIME FOR DOUBLE
Gareth McAuley is expected to recover from a calf complaint in time for West Brom’s trip to Arsenal this weekend. Teammate Steven Reid is rated ‘50/50’ for the Emirates trip after being withdrawn before half time against West Ham last Saturday with a groin problem, whilst Zoltan Gera and Liam Ridgewell are unlikely to recover from knee and hamstring injuries respectively for Sunday’s game, but could do in time for the Baggies’ trip to Sunderland next Wednesday.
The Scout Says: It is hardly surprising that West Brom’s defensive assets aren’t earning all that much attention ahead of their impending double Gameweek, certainly compared to the likes of the two Manchester clubs. Nonetheless, managers should note that the Baggies have managed two clean sheets in their last four games, and though another against the Gunners looks unlikely, a shut-out against Sunderland is a viable prospect, especially if the 5.1-priced McAuley is indeed fit to partner Jonas Olsson at the back. With a home game against Stoke to come on the final day of the season, once the double is out of the way, the Baggies’ rearguard might just tempt a few more investors before this Saturday’s deadline arrives.
