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:

STURRIDGE, AGUERO, HAZARD, VARDY & LAMELA OPTIONS UPFRONT FOR GAMEWEEK 8

Sturridge’s momentum after last week’s brace…
After netting twice against Villa last week, the Liverpool forward is set to be rested for this evening’s Europa League clash with Sion as Brendan Rodgers desperately tries to keep him out of the treatment room. Whilst Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Wayne Rooney have struggled in the premium bracket, Sturridge has wasted no time in settling into his stride as the Reds moved to 3-4-1-2 to accommodate his talents up top. A Merseyside derby trip to Everton affords him another platform to impress and stake a claim for our three-man frontlines.
Aguero at home to the Magpies…
Can last night’s late penalty against Monchengladbach prove the catalyst for a goal rush? Despite scoring just once in the league this season, Aguero is the overwhelming favourite in this week’s Captain Poll ahead of a home clash against struggling Newcastle. As Alexis Sanchez showed last week, our patience in the big hitters can be emphatically rewarded but should he blank again, many may feel it’s time to reassess the 13.2-priced frontman.
Hazard and Pedro against the Saints…
Four home matches in six would typically be the time to load up on Chelsea’s big hitters but this season is proving something of an exception. With Diego Costa still suspended, the Chelsea midfield duo look the best chance of points as Jose Mourinho’s side attempt to bounce back from their Newcastle draw, though with clean sheets in each of their last two road trips, visitors Southampton have stepped up their resilience on the road. Should the Blues stutter again, Hazard and Pedro owners may well re-evaluate their options over the international break.
The Vardy bandwagon…
The Leicester forward has been snapped up by over 300,00 FPL managers after underlining his fixture-proof appeal with a double at home to Arsenal. Vardy – who, it transpires, played with a broken wrist last weekend – has already risen 0.2 this week and sits in 20% of FPL sides after blanking just once in the first seven matches under Claudio Ranieri. A trip to Norwich strengthens his chances of maintaining that run and with the Foxes’ schedule remaining kind until Gameweek 14, the Vardy bandwagon could roll on if he delivers again at Carrow Road.
Lamela as a differential…
Handed a second straight start at home to City last week, the Argentine was instrumental in guiding Spurs to a stunning 4-1 win, courtesy of a goal and assist. With Heung-Min Son sidelined due to a foot injury, Lamela – who has opened the scoring in this evening’s clash with Monaco – looks in line for another spot in the first XI as Mauricio Pochettino’s team roll up to the Liberty seeking a fourth successive victory. Will Lamela finally justify that £30m outlay to Roma and emerge as a real mid-price midfield option or will Saturday’s showing prove no more than a false dawn?

GAMEWEEK 8- CHELSEA, MANCHESTER CITY AND SUNDERLAND HAVE THE BEST FIXTURES AHEAD

With a few teams facing four home fixtures over the next six Gameweeks, there are clearly some sides who look ripe for investment. The time to invest in big hitters may be upon us once again, with Chelsea and Manchester City in particular facing very favourable schedules over the coming period, while Swansea’s upcoming schedule means it may be slightly premature to write off the likes of Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis.

CHELSEA

According to our Season Ticker, the champions have the most favourable upcoming schedule over the next six Gameweeks. The Blues have four home encounters, which includes clashes against two of the leakiest defences in Aston Villa and Norwich, while their other four opponents all feature around “mid table” in terms of goals conceded in the top flight.
The prospects look bright for the likes of Eden Hazard (11.3) and Pedro (9.5), then, with the Belgian, in particular, starting to show some form of late, bagging a goal and an assist in his last two outings. With Diego Costa set to return from suspension in Gameweek 9, the short-term appeal of Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy is negligible. Oscar (8.3) could be worth a look as a differential, with a current ownership of 1.2% in FPL, although the Brazilian will primarily be competing with Willian for a place alongside Hazard and Pedro in the three advanced midfield positions.
In terms of the backline, defensive returns may be slightly harder to come by, given Chelsea have only managed one shut-out so far. West Ham are the joint-highest scorers in the league with 15, while Southampton lie third for total goal attempts with 116. Norwich have found the back of the net in six of their seven matches so far, and Aston Villa registered two goals at Anfield on Saturday. There’s no doubt Asmir Begovic (5.0) and Kurt Zouma (5.4) offer great value, but unless we see a return to the stingy defence which helped Chelsea to the title last year, clean sheets could still be pretty scarce at Stamford Bridge.

MAN CITY

While City’s form has dipped over the last two weeks, Manuel Pellegrini’s men should still provide us with strong Fantasy options over the coming period, with four home matches on the horizon.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bournemouth all feature towards the bottom of the charts for total goal attempts, and could represent strong possibilities for clean sheets. Match-ups against Norwich and Liverpool could also yield defensive returns if City can return to the form which saw them rack up five shut-outs at the start of the season, with the fitness of skipper Vincent Kompany (6.3) likely to have a significant impact on their prospects. Aleksandar Kolarov (6.1) still looks the best route into the backline, although providing he’s shaken off his back injury, Joe Hart (5.7) is the cheapest option, with Bacary Sagna (5.3) and Pablo Zabaleta (5.8) now set to battle it out for the right-back position.
Only Arsenal have registered more goal attempts than City, so backing the likes of Sergio Aguero (13.2) and Kevin de Bruyne (10.1) looks a wise tactic for the upcoming period, given that the Citizens face just one strong defence over the next six Gameweeks in the form of neighbours Man United. Aguero and De Bruyne look the safest options, with injury concerns surrounding David Silva (10.1) and Yaya Toure (8.9), while Raheem Sterling (8.9) has only notched a goal and an assist so far this season. Both Silva and Toure have returned to training ahead of midweek Champions League football, though, and look strong options should they prove their fitness in time.

Sunderland

The Black Cats have a relatively favourable run over the coming weeks (WHM, wba, NEW, eve, SOT, cpl), so their budget options should hold some appeal to Fantasy managers. The match-ups against Newcastle and Palace probably offer the best hope for attacking returns for the likes of Fabio Borini (5.4) and Jermain Defoe (5.5), but with Dick Advocaat still searching for his best attacking line-up, and with several options available to the Dutchman, the concern over rotation may limit any potential investment. Defoe was dropped last weekend but with Advocaat mulling over a switch to 4-4-2 after his side blanked in each of the last three, there’s every chance the former Spurs man will return to the fold.
Elsewhere, midfielders Ola Toivonen and Jeremain Lens (both 6.5) look a little expensive given Sunderland lie second behind only Newcastle for total goal attempts with 64. Toivonen certainly looks the most at risk should the Advocaat roll out a two-man frontline. At the back, Sunderland have conceded 16 goals over the first seven Gameweeks, more than any other side, so while they have a reasonable slate of fixtures coming up, it’s hard to pick out any fixture for a possible clean sheet with any level of confidence.