Alexis Sanchez nets again as Arsenal clinch a spot in the Champions League knockout stages. Rickie Lambert scores as Liverpool stutter in Bulgaria. Radamel Falcao returns to training for United, Victor Moses is set for a stint on the sidelines, whilst Leighton Baines and Nacer Chadli remain doubts ahead of the weekend deadline.
Sanchez Strikes as Gunners Progress
Laurent Koscielny was fit enough for the bench last night as Arsene Wenger retained the same back-four for the visit of Dortmund. The Gunners boss continued with Alexis Sanchez on the left wing in a 4-2-3-1, whilst Yaya Sanogo led the line as Danny Welbeck missed out due to a knee problem. Sanogo finally scored his first senior goal before being subbed off with a hamstring complaint, whilst Sanchez’ incredible form continued as he netted the hosts’ second in a 2-0 win. Santi Cazorla provided a pair of assists in an impressive display, though elsewhere in midfield, Mikel Arteta was forced off with a calf injury and could be set to join Jack Wilshere on the sidelines, with Arsene Wenger admitting the Spaniard’s calf injury “looks quite serious”.
The Scout Says: With Welbeck and Sanogo heading into the weekend as doubts, Olivier Giroud may well be in line for a first start since Gameweek 3 as the Gunners roll up to West Brom this weekend. The Frenchman’s strike against United last weekend was a real statement of intent and, having been omitted from Arsenal’s Group Stage squad, he’ll be fully rested ahead of the Hawthorns encounter. Sanchez’ goal suggests that Wenger’s decision to move him out of a central role won’t diminish his attacking potential and, up against a defence that have conceded twice in five of the last six, the Chilean could be poise to wreak havoc after netting his thirteenth goal for the north London club last night. From a Fantasy perspective, Arteta’s absence could hand Giroud spot-kick duties, though if the Frenchman is eased back into action, it remains to be seen who Wenger will nominate as his temporary number one, given that another preferred choice, Mesut Ozil, is also out injured.
Lambert Nets Again for Reds
Brendan Rodgers made three changes for last night’s trip to Ludogorets, with Kolo Toure, Lucas and Jordan Henderson coming in for Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho. Rickie Lambert retained his starting berth up front and scored for the second match in succession, whilst Henderson – recovered from the illness that forced him out of the weekend loss at Palace – was also amongst the goals, with Raheem Sterling earning an assist. The Reds’ defensive frailties continue to blight them, though, as their hosts clinched a 2-2 draw with a last-gasp equaliser.
The Scout Says: Lambert’s back-to-back goals strengthen his claim to continue as the Reds lone striker ahead of a kind run of matches. Available for just 6.9 in FPL, the summer signing now faces Stoke, Leicester and Sunderland in the next three and with Mario Balotelli still struggling with a groin problem, Lambert could prove an intriguing short-term option for Graziano Pelle owners looking for a way out. Henderson’s return to form also brings him into contention – with doubts hovering over the likes of Stewart Downing and Nacer Chadli in the mid-price bracket, the Reds’ vice-captain could prove a viable replacement in light of that short-term schedule.
Stoke Stung By Moses Injury
The Potters welcomed back Marc Wilson to light training yesterday but Mark Hughes was left reeling after the on-loan wide man was ruled out for up to eight weeks with the thigh injury that forced him off at home to Burnley last weekend.
The Scout Says: Stoke’s top scoring player in the FPL game, Moses has been quick to find his feet at the Britannia. Frustratingly for Fantasy managers, the Nigeria international had started to look a legitimate option after serving up some consistent displays under Hughes – he earned in assist in four consecutive Gameweeks (5-8) and also found the net against West Ham earlier this month. One look at the fixtures suggests few would have contemplated Moses over the festive period, regardless of injury – with Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton in the next six, Stoke’s upcoming run of matches is one of the toughest around.
Martinez Uncertain On Baines’ Weekend Fitness
The Everton boss rolled out an early injury update ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Wolfsburg. Martinez confirmed Steven Naismith is “50-50” to face Spurs at the weekend but when questioned on the fitness of Leighton Baines, Gareth Barry, Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar and Bryan Oviedo, would only comment:
“They all have a small chance to be involved on Sunday, but it is very difficult at this stage to tell which ones have a realistic chance of being match fit.”
The Scout Says: The Baines news is a real worry for his owners, after he missed out against West Ham last weekend. Typically one of the most reliable top-flight performers, Baines has missed only 12 league outings in five season prior to the Hammers clash and with our benches being tested to the full last weekend, his hamstring problems have already persuaded over 19,000 FPL managers to part company. Any confirmed spell on the sidelines would certainly force our hand and with team-mate Seamus Coleman averaging 5.2 points per appearance so far, we’ve a ready-made replacement on hand should the left-back remain absent for the festive period.
Mixed News for United
Radamel Falcao is back in full training for the Red Devils ahead of the weekend home encounter with Hull. There’s worries in defence for Louis van Gaal, though – reports suggest Luke Shaw could be out for two weeks with an ankle injury, whilst Jonny Evans has admitted he’s a little short of match sharpness after being handed just over an hour of action for the reserves on Tuesday evening:
“It’s nice to get 60-odd minutes under my belt. But I think the manager will have to assess that [a first-team recall] and also the fitness coaches. I’ve been training for a week or two now, but it’s taking me time to get my fitness up as I’ve been out for so long. It has [return to action] been a long time coming. I didn’t expect to be out this long, so I’m pleased to get some minutes.”
The Scout Says: Much depends on his formation but if Van Gaal continues with a 3-4-1-2 at home to Hull, Falcao – who has scored or assisted in all three starts – will be hoping to oust the off-form Robin van Persie in the starting XI. If the United boss continues with Angel di Maria up front, Wayne Rooney may have to settle for the role in “the hole” once again, though, dashing his hopes of being shifted into an advanced berth. At the back, a two-week absence for Shaw would see him miss the next three Gameweeks, adding to his manager’s woes. With question marks also hanging over Phil Jones’s fitness, and the likes of Marcos Rojo injured, Van Gaal may choose to retain Paddy McNair in the middle. The 4.4-priced youngster has been quick to benefit from the recent spell of injuries – he’s started each of the last two and has the chance to perhaps cement a role in the United XI ahead of a kind spell of fixtures. There’s no doubt that there are question marks over McNair’s long-term minutes, though, and his acquisition would certainly be a gamble but a nine-point return against Palace in Gameweek 11 certainly suggests he could be decent value.
Chadli Remains Doubtful for Spurs
The Belgian was amongst a raft of players ruled out of this evening’s Europa League encounter with Partizan Belgrade. Mauricio Pochettino confirmed the likes of Younes Kaboul, Emmanuel Adebayor, Etienne Capoue, Andros Townsend and Danny Rose are also omitted after missing the weekend win at Hull and the Tottenham boss talked up the prospect of squad rotation in order to cope with the current injury crisis.
“It’s important for our squad to stay strong. Maybe it’s impossible to give all of our players the facility to play at the moment, but during the season we have a lot of games ahead and you need all your players. In the second half at Hull we were very pleased with Vlad Chiriches, Aaron Lennon and Paulinho because it’s not easy to push them to work hard every day in training and then not give them the reward of playing – and this is important to maintain their confidence.”
The Scout Says: Similar to the Baines situation, Chadli owners are left eagerly awaiting further prognosis as the deadline draws nearer. Bearing in mind Gameweek 13 and 14 are only three days apart, carrying any injury doubts into those matches could prove costly – as we saw in the weekend gone by, managers are stepping up their rest and rotation policies right now. With six goals in 11 appearances, Chadli sits fifth amongst midfielders and many will be reluctant to part company with the 6.7-priced Belgian but with Christian Eriksen now looking a viable option in the Spurs midfield and Swansea’s similarly-priced Gylfi Sigurdsson set for four home matches in the next six, his 18% owners certainly have some strong alternatives should be fail to recover from a knee complaint.
