GAMEWEEK 9 BUYS- NO.4- GRAZIANO PELLE

After serving up four goals and five assists since Gameweek 4, Graziano Pelle (FantasyBet 8m, Premier Punt 12.2m) has shot to the top of the forwards leaderboard. The Southampton frontman – who also scored in the midweek international for Italy against Norway – will be a popular pick this week, given that he’s up against a Leicester side that have conceded 15 goals so far (the fourth worst record in the league) and have yet to earn a clean sheet.

GAMEWEEK 9 BUYS- NO.3- ALEXIS SANCHEZ

Alexis Sanchez’ (FantasyBet 11m, classed as a forward in Premier Punt at 15.4m) statistics over the initial six Gameweeks indicated that goals were imminent and our patience was rewarded, with five strikes over the last two matches re-affirming the Arsenal attacker as a top Fantasy pick. The Gunners do have a crucial midweek Champions League tie with Bayern to follow their trip to Watford but the Chilean’s stunning form is too integral for Arsene Wenger to rest this weekend, having produced nine goals and two assists in the last five appearances for club and country.

GAMEWEEK 9 BUYS- NO.2- CESAR AZPILICUETA

Chelsea’s defensive frailties have been well documented, with a single shut-out and 17 goals conceded over the first eight matches very unusual for a Jose Mourinho side. Weekend visitors Villa however offer the chance for the Blues to rediscover some coherency in defence, though – Tim Sherwood’s side have failed to score in two of their last three matches and have only notched eight goals in total this term. Chelsea look set to be without Branislav Ivanovic, who has been an uncharacteristic liability this term, whereas Cesar Azpilicueta (FantasyBet 6m, Premier Punt 9.2m) has been their most consistent performer and has started every match so far.

GAMEWEEK 9 BUYS- NO.1- BOAZ MYHILL

Following four clean sheets in five between Gameweek 2-6, West Brom’s backline have since conceded five in their last two, with injuries contributing to a downturn in resilience. A home fixture against a Sunderland side that have scored only twice in their last four is an opportunity to recover the defensive solidity Tony Pulis’ teams typically display, with Boaz Myhill – at 4.5m in FantasyBet and 7.3m in Premier Punt – looking a strong option between the posts. After making six saves in his last outing against Crystal Palace, the keeper could be busy again against a Black Cat team that may be re-invigorated with the arrival of Sam Allardyce.

WALCOTT, CAZORLA,BARKLEY,VARDY,MAHREZ,ARNAUTOVIC AND SAKO SHINE DURING INTERNATIONAL BREAK

Walcott And Cazorla Hit the Goal Trail

Theo Walcott delivered a calm and precise finish to fire England ahead in their dead-rubber Euro 2016 qualifying match. Meanwhile, Santi Cazorla netted a brace for Spain in their 4-0 rout against Luxembourg.
The Scout Says: With regards to points per minutes played, Theo Walcott has always been a powerhouse on the Fantasy scene, but injuries and a lack of security of starts diminished his viability. This season, however, the 8.6-priced midfielder has flourished as the spearhead of Arsenal’s attack, bagging two goals and a pair of assists in his previous four starts. Ally this with a pair of strikes in as many Champions League outings and Arsene Wenger would be foolish to dislodge Walcott from the starting line-up, rendering him a strong route into a Gunners attack that’s amassed eight goals in their last pair of match-ups. Cazorla comes in at 0.4 cheaper than Walcott but has suffered from a Fantasy perspective due to his deep-lying role, notching no goals and two assists in eight league appearances. The similarly priced Mesut Ozil (8.4) boasts a better upside than the set-piece specialist, having carded one goal and three assists in his previous trio of outings. However, Fantasy managers need to be wary of rest and rotation ahead of the Gameweek 9 trip to Watford: the Gunners face a vital Champions League clash with Bayern Munich just three days later. 

Barkley Sparkles In England Victory

Ross Barkley slid a delicious slide-rule pass through to Walcott for the Three Lions’ opener at Wembley and impressed throughout, tormenting Estonia to claim the man-of-the-match plaudits.
The Scout Says: The fact that Barkley is already on par with his attacking output from last term (two goals and three assists) is testament to his growing influence in Everton’s midfield. Across the past four Gameweeks, the precocious talent placed eighth among midfielders for attempts (10) and sixth for key passes (13), underlining his dual threat. The Toffees’ schedule throws up a procession of favourable match-ups beyond their next two challenging fixtures (MUN, ars), ensuring that Barkley and Romelu Lukaku (three goals and one assist in last two starts) will attract significant investment through to the New Year.

Vardy and Mahrez Turn Providers

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez served up assists for their respective nations, with the former emerging late from the bench to tee up Sterling. Elsewhere in the Foxes camp, Goklan Inler converted from the penalty spot for Switzerland, while Christian Fuchs claimed an assist in Austria’s 3-2 win over Montenegro.
The Scout Says: Much like Harry Kane in the previous campaign, everything that Vardy has touched of late has turned to gold. Leicester’s in-form striker has chalked up six goals in his last five outings with just one blank through the first eight Gameweeks. The 6.7-priced marksman ranks fifth for transfers in this Gameweek, having welcomed half a million new owners prior to the most recent round of fixtures. Given that Mahrez – who was omitted from the starting line-up at Norwich last time out – should now be considered a slight rotation risk, Vardy is the standout route into the Foxes’ forward line ahead of a promising quintet of match-ups (sou, CRY, wba, WAT, new).

Confident Arnautovic Maintains Goalscoring Form

Marko Arnautovic plotted a course along the edge of the 18-yard box before unleashing a low-driven effort into the far corner during Austria’s 3-2 victory in Montenegro.
The Scout Says: Arnautovic’s willingness to locks horns with a bevy of Montenegro defenders and find space for a shot could reflect an adaptation he’s making to his game – as alluded to by Potters manager Mark Hughes in this week’s Say What article. The Austrian winger scored last time out against Aston Villa – complementing back-to-back assists from Gameweek 6 – and has emerged as an intriguing differential in the mid-priced bracket. Arnautovic looks the best placed midfielder to profit from Stoke’s strong upcoming trio of fixtures (swa, WAT, new), considering that he ranks top among his team-mates for attempts (11), shots on target (four) and key passes (nine) this term.

Sako Shines for Mali

Palace wide man Bakary Sako served a reminder of his potential by grabbing two goals and a pair of assists in Mali’s 4-1 win over Burkina Faso.
The Scout Says: After an explosive start to life at Selhurst Park, with back-to-back double figure returns in his first two appearances, the former Wolves man has fallen quickly from Fantasy favour. A run of three successive blanks saw the 5.6-priced Sako benched for Palace’s recent win over West Brom, with weekend scorers Yannick Bolasie and Yohan Cabaye now emerging as the best options in Alan Pardew’s midfield. With replacement Wilfried Zaha grabbing an assist against the Baggies, Sako faces a tough task to reclaim his starting berth for now – all the more frustrating, given that the Eagles host West Ham, Sunderland and Newcastle and travel to Leicester in the next six.

SERGIO AGUERO TEARS HIS HAMSTRING, WILL BE OUT FOR A LONG TIME

Sergio Aguero has once again been hit with an injury, getting stretchered off during Argentina's 2-0 defeat against Ecuador on Thursday night.

Aguero had scored five goals at the weekend, getting City's Premier League campaign back on track after Manuel Pellegini's side had suffered a string of humbling defeats.

But City's hopes have been dented by news that their star striker has once again picked up an injury while in top form.

The 27-year-old suffered similar setbacks during each of the last three seasons.

Aguero underwent tests on Friday, with the Argentinian FA announcing he had suffered a "grade two muscle tear to the left hamstring".

Perhaps the worst aspect of the news is that this is a new injury for Aguero. He had been carrying a knock suffered in the Champions League last week, but the latest incident appears to be a hamstring strain.

"I haven't spoken to the doctor but I can confirm the injury is not the same as the one he had been carrying with his club," said Argentina coach Gerardo Martino.

Aguero's City team-mate Nicolas Otamendi said Aguero had been distraught and was crying in the dressing room after the injury.

 

ALEXIS SANCHEZ, ANDRE AYEW AND WES HOOLAHAN DOWN WITH INJURIES, RYAN SHAWCROSS ON WAY TO RECOVERY

Alexis Sanchez remains a doubt for Chile with a groin problem. Andre Ayew withdraws from Ghana duties, Wes Hoolahan is a worry for the Republic of Ireland, whilst Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross steps up his recovery from a back injury.

Sanchez Concern for Chile

Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for Chile’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil due to a minor groin complaint sustained against United on Sunday, according to manager Jorge Sampaoli:

Ayew withdraws from Ghana squad

Andrew Ayew is still feeling the effects of a knock he picked up during Swansea’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur so did not travel with the Ghana squad to face off against USA on Wednesday.
The Scout Says: Much to the frustration of 110,000 owners that shipped him out in the last two rounds of fixtures, Ayew netted his first goal in four outings against Spurs. The former Marseille man registered just three key passes and one attempt on target between Gameweek 5-7 yet his return to form sees him sit fifth in the midfield standings so far. Providing he recovers in time, Ayew’s 21% ownership will be optimistic of further returns ahead of a schedule that pits the Swans against Stoke, Villa, Norwich and Bournemouth in the next five matches.

Hoolahan concern for Ireland

Wes Hoolahan is a doubt for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany later today after sitting out Tuesday’s training session. Assistant manager Roy Keane revealed that the Norwich City midfielder picked up a problem during Saturday’s home loess to Leicester:

Shawcross steps up recovery

Ryan Shawcross clocked 45 minutes for Stoke City’s U21 outfit as they drew 1-1 against Port Vale last night. Discussing his comeback with the local press, the Potters skipper is keen to build up more minutes over the international break: