Scout Scribbles – City Prove Their Mettle in Rome

Samir Nasri bags a goal and assist as City progress though the Champions League groups stages. Cesc Fabregas and Andre Schurrle are amongst the goals as Chelsea ease past Sporting at the Bridge. Emmanuel Adebayor is handed leave of absence by Spurs, Chris Smalling is ruled out for United, whilst Alan Pardew will continue to be cautious with Papiss Cisse’s pitch time.

City Make the Last Sixteen

Man City recorded a 2-0 victory over Roma last night to send them through to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Edin Dzeko was handed the lone striker role from the off, with Stefan Jovetic coming on to replace him in the 78^th minute, though it was left to Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta to secure the win with a goal apiece.

The Scout Says: It’s five wins in five now for Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit, with morale sky high going in to their impending trip to Leicester. Last night’s display not only strengthens the case for investment in their assets, it proves that Manuel Pellegrini’s men are still more than capable of delivering without the stricken Sergio Aguero. Suddenly, it’s not all doom and gloom as we re-asses their prospects in light of last night’s win. David Silva and Jovetic marked their returns from injury with substitute appearances in Rome, whilst Pellegrini is optimistic that Vincent Kompany will be able to return for the weekend. Yaya Toure missed the match through suspension and, hence, will be refreshed for the Foxes clash, and with Nasri’s appeal as a midfield differential now on the rise after last night’s showing, it seems that Fantasy managers have a smorgasbord of options to choose from ahead of City’s excellent fixture list (lei, CPL, wba, BUR, SUN).

CHELSEA CRUISE PAST SPORTING

Chelsea drew their Champions League group stage campaign to a close last night with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon. With qualification already confirmed, Jose Mourinho chose to rest a number of his first-choice names for the match, and John Obi Mikel and Andre Schurrle took full advantage of the opportunity by getting their names on the scoresheet, adding to Cesc Fabregas’ early strike from the penalty spot.

The Scout Says: Mourinho’s decision to hand many of his star names the night off will have been music to the ears of many Fantasy managers. The likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Willian failed to play any part and all look set to be restored to the XI at home to Hull this weekend as the league leaders attempt to atone for the loss to Newcastle last time out. In spite of his one-match suspension against the Tigers, Cesc Fabregas’ 45% ownership will also be encouraged, however, with the Spaniard proving himself to be first in line for spot-kicks when Hazard is off the pitch. Meanwhile, Diego Costa was afforded the full 90 minutes, but failed to score again, taking his drought to four matches in all competitions: food for thought for those intent on handing him the armband this weekend, with the Spain international the runaway leader of this week’s Captain Poll so far.

ADEBAYOR HANDED LEAVE

A statement released by Tottenham yesterday confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor has been given time out to return home for personal reasons, with the club making no further comment on the issue.

The Scout Says: Though Adebayor has struggled for inclusion recently, his likely absence for Spurs’ trip to Swansea this weekend will come as good news for owners of his team-mate Harry Kane, whose minutes continue to look assured since Mauricio Pochettino handed him a first league start of the season back in Gameweek 11. However, with so many managers now afforded the luxury of budget to spare after transferring out the stricken Sergio Aguero, cost-cutting is no longer a major issue for many – in spite of his 5.0 price tag, the 5%-owned Kane is only the fifteenth most popular forward for transfers in this week, ensuring he remains a differential option with matches against Burnley and Leicester following on from his Liberty trip.

UNITED LOSE SMALLING TO INJURY

Chris Smalling has been ruled out for at least a fortnight with the groin problem he sustained against Southampton on Monday night.

The Scout Says: The Man United defensive merry-go-round is still in full swing it seems, with Smalling’s two-week absence ensuring that the centre-back will miss home clashes with Liverpool and Newcastle, with a visit to Villa sandwiched in between. With Phil Jones still struggling due to a shin complaint, Jonny Evans looks set to step in if Louis van Gaal sticks with a trio of central defenders once again. United have only conceded once in their previous three at Old Trafford, suggesting investment in their rearguard could a valid tactic – with so many doubts surrounding their defensive spots, however, the 5.5-priced David De Gea is still the stand-out pick for those backing the Reds to show some solidity over the coming weeks.

PARDEW WON’T OVERWORK CISSE

Alan Pardew has confirmed that he intends to continue to use Papiss Cisse sparingly to lower the risk of the striker re-aggravating a knee injury:

“It is a situation with his knee which means we have to protect him. Could he have done that in the last 35 minutes if he had played the whole game? Probably not. He was fresh. There is one thing you do know – he will score.”

The Scout Says: Only three forwards have scored more goals than Cisse’s seven strikes up until this point, and the Magpies striker boasts the best goals-per-minute ratio in the league right now. However, there is no doubt that his lack of guaranteed pitch time continues to prove a major deterrent, even in light of his brace against Chelsea last weekend. Another issue is Newcastle’s poor upcoming schedule. With testing trips to Arsenal, United and Chelsea all awaiting Cisse in his next six, Pardew could be set to continue with the tactic of unleashing his star striker’s talents from the bench as defences tire towards the end of matches, suggesting that Ayoze Perez could retain his role as the lone forward in the Newcastle XI.

BRUNT DOUBTFUL FOR DERBY

Chris Brunt has revealed his involvement with this weekend’s derby clash with Aston Villa is in doubt due to the hamstring problem that forced him to miss Saturday’s draw with Hull:

“It’s just a small strain but it just depends how I react to the rehab. I’ll take advice from the medical staff but it’s a game I’m desperate to play in. It’s a game I’ve always enjoyed and one you look forward to.”

The Scout Says: With Stephane Sessegnon also a doubt alongside Brunt, Saido Berahino could be recalled to the Baggies’ attacking midfield three after being dropped to the bench last time out. The young forward hasn’t found the back of the net since Gameweek 9 and Alan Irvine has recently turned to Victor Anichebe as the Baggies lone striker, with Berahino utilised as a left winger in Gameweek 14. Should the 4.9-rated Nigerian recover from a groin injury as expected, he could well lead the line again against Villa on Saturday – causing further concern for Berahino’s 17% of FPL owners.