Scout Mission – Gameweek 12

With the international break finally behind us, we turn our attentions to domestic matters once again. Chelsea’s trio of midfield options, Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero’s tussle for the armband, Southampton’s form before the fixtures turn nasty and Louis van Gaal’s tactical tinkering are all on this week’s lunchtime menu.

The Blues’ Midfield Options…
With plenty of great fixtures lying in wait for Jose Mourinho’s side, Fantasy managers are currently queuing up to invest in their talented midfield. The three main options all offer different plus points. Cesc Fabregas’ consistency has attracted over 52.5% of FPL managers, though with the Spaniard just one booking away from a ban, those yet to invest will be looking for alternatives. At 8.4, Oscar’s value could yet be the best option, though Eden Hazard has the underlying stats to suggest he’s set to step up. A big performance from any of the three at home to West Brom may well prove a persuasive case for selection over the next few Gameweeks as the league leaders march on relentlessly at the summit.

The Hammers’ Rearguard at Goodison…
Having grabbed a clean sheet against Aston Villa last time out, and with good fixtures to follow, could the east Londoners be about to emerge as viable mid-price defensive assets? To convince us further, they will have to keep out a side that have failed to score just once this season when they meet Everton this weekend, though bearing in mind the Toffees have doubts over seven players, Big Sam will be quietly confident of keeping the Merseysiders at bay.

Costa and Aguero’s armband battle…
Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero go into the weekend as massive favourites in our Captain Poll once again, and owners of both will be naturally torn over whom to hand the armband to. Aguero’s recent form and ability to earn bonus when scoring weighs it in his favour, but Costa has been rested for a fortnight now and, having only failed to score in two of his nine league appearances, has rarely let us down. Given that have great fixtures ahead, getting the captaincy call correct between this pair looks key over the next few weeks, with both having the potential to run riot.

Austin against the Magpies…
The QPR striker has managed four goals in his last three now, including strikes against Chelsea and City, yet still boasts an ownership of 3% going into this weekend. Newcastle, meanwhile, have conceded just once in their previous four, though with captain Fabricio Coloccini ruled out, Austin has the platform to further underline his credentials ahead of a trio of tempting home fixtures against Leicester, Burnley and West Brom in his next five. If West Ham’s Diafra Sakho is ruled out with a back problem again, Austin could be poised to emerge as the most appealing budget frontman ahead of that schedule.

Burnley’s Backline at the Britannia…
The Clarets achieved their first clean sheet in six against Hull in Gameweek 11, taking their tally to four for the season, more than Chelsea or Everton, for example. With three home matches in their following four after Saturday’s trip to Stoke, can Sean Dyche’s replicate the resilience that earned them three successive shut-outs over Gameweeks 3-5, and offer us excellent value for their sub-5.0 price tags? Fantasy managers may yet reconsider the likes of Kieran Trippier is he can kick on from his Gameweek 11 haul of 12 points.

Giroud’s impact on the Gunners…
Arsene Wenger has a tendency to ease players back into action after they return from injury, though his hand may be forced if Danny Welbeck misses out with the hamstring knock sustained whilst on duty with England. Even so, the Gunners boss could opt to move Welbeck to the flank to accommodate Giroud alongside Alexis Sanchez in the front two. With a number of cheaper frontline options thriving right now, Welbeck looks to be on his last chance for many after averaging just 3.5 points per game across his last six, and unless he is able to transfer his international form to the Premier League against former club United this weekend, that 16% ownership looks set to slide.

The Saints’ form before the fixture storm..
Monday night’s trip to Villa precedes a terrible schedule for Ronald Koeman’s outfit, and presents their big assets with a final chance to convince managers to retain their services before the going gets rough. Indeed, many are looking to transfer out in Gameweek 13, but a fruitful performance from Dusan Tadic, if fit, or Graziano Pelle may make some think twice due to the duo’s decent value. Another clean sheet could also persuade us to hold their defence, given they’ve conceded only five goals so far this campaign. Worryingly, though, they’ve only played two of last season’s top eight thus far, and lost both, which perhaps may be read as a sign that temporarily shedding our rearguards of the likes of Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne could be a wise move.

Kane’s Minutes at the KC..
The Spurs youngster was handed the full 90 minutes last time out in his first start of season against Stoke, and having notched a brace for England Under-21s in midweek, his form continues to flourish. Mauricio Pochettino moved to 4-2-3-1 for the Potters clash, dropping both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado to the bench: another start for Kane at Hull in this formation will provide us with a much clearer indication of his place in the pecking order from here on in.

Van Gaal’s tactics at the Emirates…
The Dutchman has conceded that he has already tinkered too much with his formation and tactics this season, but his hand could be forced again with Daley Blind sidelined and Luke Shaw and Angel Di Maria also injury concerns for the Gunners encounter. Van Gaal may have Phil Jones and Jonny Evans back in defence, however, and a lack of full back options could even see United line up with a three man backline on Saturday. With Radamel Falcao also in with a chance of featuring, it could be all change further up the field as well, with a midfield diamond and front two a possible option for Van Gaal’s top-heavy squad.