Scout Scribbles – City Face Anxious Wait on Aguero

Sergio Aguero is stretchered off early on as Argentina lose to Ecuador. Alexis Sanchez recovers from a minor groin problem to net in Chile’s win over Brazil, Branislav Ivanovic sustains a hamstring injury, whilst Yohan Cabaye’s fine form continues.

Aguero Stretchered off for Argentina

Sergio Aguero was substituted after 24 minutes of Argentina’s World Cup qualifying encounter against Ecuador with a suspected hamstring complaint in the early hours of this morning. The City striker was stretchered off in tears, according to the club’s official website, and is set for scans in the next few days.

Argentina boss Gerardo Martino went on to say:

“He had been carrying a knock with his club, during the week we took good care of him. He was moving around the pitch well, but unfortunately he felt some discomfort and we are going to lose him. 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.”

The Scout Says: Any spell on the sidelines for Aguero would clearly be major news across the Fantasy games. The most popular striker in the Fantasy Premier League game, he sits in over 35% of sides and has been drafted in by over 130,000 FPL managers this week in light of a return to form that saw him rack up five goals against Newcastle last Saturday. Aguero’s pockmarked injury record, allied with the fact he was forced off in tears, suggests we may have to brace ourselves for the worst here. Should he face a lengthy period out, Wilfried Bony, at just 8.2, looks poised to lead the line for Manuel Pellegrini’s men ahead of three plum (BOU, NOR, avl) clashes in the next four, though the Chilean has also utilised Raheem Sterling up top on occasion. For now, Fantasy managers will be eagerly awaiting further news from the Etihad before making their next moves.

Sanchez Nets in Chile Win

Alexis Sanchez scored in the final minute for Chile as they beat Brazil 2-0. Arsenal’s man of the moment eluded a raft of defenders with his silky footwork before tapping home from close range.

The Scout Says: A doubt before the match, Sanchez showed no signs of the minor groin injury that saw him forced off prematurely against Manchester United, scoring for the seventh time in four appearances in all competitions. In the event that Aguero is ruled out next weekend, Sanchez – who boasts five goals in his previous two league outings – will likely sit atop the summit of our Captain’s Poll as Arsenal prepare for a trip to Watford. Although the Hornets conceded just one goal in their first four home clashes, the Gunners look rampant right now and have produced more goals (eight) and carded more big chances (seven) than any team in the last two Gameweeks.

Cabaye Scores Again

Yohan Cabaye scored from just outside the box with a low strike into the corner as France triumphed 4-0 over Armenia in an international friendly.

The Scout Says: Cabaye lays claim to three goals (and one assist) in as many outings following his latest exploits with Les Bleus – albeit, both of his domestic goals came from spot-kicks. Nonetheless, the former Newcastle United playmaker places top of the Eagles’ midfield contingent for attempts (20) this term, while only Bakary Sako (ten to seven) has tallied more shots on target. Considering that Sako and Wilfried Zaha are subject to rotation, and Yannick Bolasie has notched just five goals in over 5000 minutes of Premier League pitch time, the 6.5-priced Cabaye certainly looks a viable midfield option ahead of clashes with West Ham, Leicester, Sunderland and Newcastle in the next six Gameweeks.

Mixed News for United

United striker Anthony Martial came on after 63 minutes at Allianz Riviera and went on to supply the assist for Karim Benzema’s second goal of the night in France’s win. Elsewhere, Bastian Schweinsteiger missed Germany’s loss to the Republic of Ireland due to a thigh injury.

The Scout Says: Attracting close to one million new owners prior to the last two Gameweeks, Martial – who’s produced three goals and one assist in four outings (three starts) – sits at a hefty 30% ownership, making him the second most popular striker in FPL. The burgeoning Red Devils star served up his first blank away to Arsenal last time out but needed just 16 minutes before making his mark last night. With Wayne Rooney a minor doubt for next Gameweek after being ruled out of England’s Euro qualifiers due to an ankle injury, an even greater onus will be on Martial to perform during a challenging pair of upcoming fixtures (eve, MCI) before the schedule turns in United’s favour. Elsewhere, Schweinsteiger’s injury could allow Morgan Schneiderlin to return to the double-pivot at Goodison next weekend, after Louis van Gaal’s decision to bench the Frenchman at Arsenal saw United’s three-match winning streak come to an end. Although United have won five times in the league this term, they have emerged victorious just once with Schweinsteiger in the starting XI.

Saints Pair in the Goals

Shane Long scored for Ireland in an historic 1-0 victory over Germany, latching onto a long kick from stand-in keeper Darren Randolph and firing emphatically past Manuel Neuer. Meanwhile, Steven Davis bagged a brace as Northern Ireland secured entry into the Euro finals with a 3-1 win over Greece.

The Scout Says: Having netted against Chelsea last Gameweek, Davis now boasts three goals in his last two outings, yet a lack of security of starts and the fact he’s attempted just two shots this term limits his appeal at the 4.8 mark. With Saints’ attack firing off all cylinders at present – amassing eight goals in three league ties – Long will struggle to get a look-in. Graziano Pelle (three goals and four assists in three starts) and Sadio Mane (two goals and three assists in three starts) have been the star men for Ronald Koeman during a period in which Southampton rank fourth for shots on target (19) and second for shot-conversion-rate (17.8%). The form duo certainly look worthy of investment as Saints embark on a largely favourable quintet of fixtures (LEI, liv, BOU, sun STO).

Okazaki Notches in Japan Win

Leicester’s summer signing Shinji Okazaki found the target for Japan in a 3-0 win against Syria yesterday afternoon.

The Scout Says: Although Okazaki has started seven of the first eight Gameweeks since arriving at the King Power, it’s fair to say he’s been firmly overshadowed by striker partner, Jamie Vardy.The latter’s valuation has ballooned from 6.0 to 6.7 since Gameweek 4 and looks set to rise further before the next round of fixtures after he scored his seventh of the season last weekend. Given that Okazaki has netted once and has failed to play more than 70 minutes since Gameweek 3, Vardy serves as the prime source of Leicester coverage before their agreeable quintet of match-ups (sou, CRY, wba, WAT, new).

Ritchie Strikes for Scotland

Matt Ritchie unleashed a thunderous effort just before the break as Scotland were held to a 2-2 draw against Poland at Hampden Park.

The Scout Says: With 15 goals and 17 assists to his name in the Championship last season, Ritchie threatened to be one of the top Fantasy prospects among the promoted clubs this season. Although he’s yet to live up to that expectation, the 5.7-priced midfielder has started to find his form and boasts one goal and an assist in his past three outings, scooping 16 points across that stretch. In the absence of Max Gradel and Callum Wilson, greater emphasis will be placed on Ritchie to step up and deliver attacking returns. Ritchie’s certainly capable of taking up the mantle, but his woeful shot accuracy (18 shots, three on target) and the Cherries’ unforgiving schedule (mci, TOT, sou) hardly inspires much confidence at present.

Fletcher Grabs Hampden Goal

Steven Fletcher executed a sublime curling finish to regain the lead for Scotland during their World Cup qualifier.

The Scout Says: Reinstated as the spearhead of Sunderland’s attack for Dick Advocaat’s final match at the helm, Fletcher netted his second goal of the campaign in a 2-2 home draw against West Ham United. Robbie Stockdale has now taken charge on caretaker basis, so you’d expect him to retain form players in the side, affording Fletcher consecutive starts when the Black Cats travel to West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 9.Given the uncertainty surrounding the Wearsiders, though, few will be prepared to invest in their players right now.

Kolarov Stars in Serbia Win

Aleksandar Kolarov netted in the first minute of stoppage time as Serbia mounted a late attack to register a 2-0 win over Albania.

The Scout Says: Manchester City defensive coverage looked essential in the wake of their five successive clean sheets at the start of the campaign, but the Sky Blues have since shipped seven goals in three matches. Vincent Kompany’s absence through injury over that stretch was no coincidence and underlined how integral the talismanic captain is to their rearguard dominance. That being said, Manuel Pellegrini’s troops will fancy their chances of securing a shut-out at home to Bournemouth next Gameweek, given that the Cherries are without top scorer Callum Wilson. With Norwich and Villa also in the next four, Kolarov’s 36% ownership will be optimistic of a return to form soon.

Chelsea Duo Forced Off Injured

Chelsea pair Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) and Nemanja Matic (knock) were both withdrawn during the second-half of Serbia’s win over Albania due to injuries.

The Scout Says: Given his poor domestic form, there’s an argument that Ivanovic’s potential absence may even enhance Chelsea’s defensive prospects over a favourable run (AVL, whu, LIV, sto, NOR). Priced at 5.8, left-back Baba Rahman is likely to be given the nod should the Serbian be ruled out, allowing the versatile Cesar Azpilicueta to move over to the right flank to cover. Jose Mourinho’s man have conceded 17 times, though, and with just two clean sheets to their name, have offered next-to-no value for Fantasy managers – a far cry from the displays of last year that served up 17 shut-outs in their title-winning campaign. Matic, meanwhile, suffered the ignominy of being subbed off after coming on as a replacement for Ramires against Southampton last night out. Regardless of his availability, the midfielder looks far from guaranteed of a starting berth for the Blues’ Gameweek 9 home encounter against Villa.