Fantasy Premier League

Ibrahimovic gives managers reason for caution

By The Scout 27 Oct 2016
Ibrahimovic, Man Utd

Last night's EFL Cup win for Man Utd came at a cost for the forward's managers

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s (£11.3m) Fantasy Premier League owners were given further cause for concern after the forward earned his fourth yellow card of the season in Manchester United's EFL Cup victory over Manchester City. 

After being sold by more than 75,000 FPL managers ahead of Gameweek 10, the United striker, who remains owned by 38%, is a caution away from a one-match suspension.

Ibrahimovic supplied the assist for Juan Mata’s (£7.4m) winner on Wednesday, but has scored once in the last seven Gameweeks ahead of a home match with Burnley.  

Jose Mourinho has problems at both ends of the pitch ahead of Saturday's match. 

Marcus Rashford (£6.9m) limped off towards the end of last night's match, while Chris Smalling (£5.9m) was unavailable through injury, joining Eric Bailly (£5.5m) on the sidelines.

Sergio Aguero (£13.1m), the most popular FPL forward with 44% ownership, was a substitute for the third time in four matches and, in his brief second-half run-out, failed to score a sixth appearances in a row for the club. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United
After being booked on Wednesday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is only one yellow card away from a one-match ban - bad news for his 38% ownership

Aguero still seems likely to start at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, along with Raheem Sterling (£8.4m), who was also a late substitute at Old Trafford. 

Diego Costa (£10.3m) remains on four yellow cards after avoiding a booking in last night's 2-1 defeat at West Ham United.

The third-most owned FPL forward, sitting in 36% of squads, came off the bench, along with Eden Hazard (£9.8m), at London Stadium as Antonio Conte’s side lost for the first time since the shift to a 3-4-3 formation. 

Michail Antonio, West Ham United
Michail Antonio was fielded as a forward in West Ham's EFL Cup win over Chelsea - good news for his FPL owners

Michail Antonio (£7.0m) started up front for West Ham, which might persuade those managers who have not sold him to hang on as Slaven Bilic’s side travel to Everton on Sunday seeking a fourth straight win. With a drop in price in each of the last three rounds of fixtures Antonio has been sold by more FPL managers than any midfielder in the Gameweek.

His starting role in attack could also soon be under threat, with Andre Ayew (£7.1m) stepping up his recovery from a knee injury coming off the bench against Chelsea.

At Southampton, Sofiane Boufal (£6.8m) made an immediate impact with a sublime winner against Sunderland. 

Sofiane Boufal, Southampton
Sofiane Boufal demonstrated his FPL potential but managers should be cautious about transferring him in

Coming off the bench in each of the Saints’ last two fixtures, the club-record signing played the full 90 minutes. He will add to Claude Puel’s options in the final third and could affect the pitch time of Charlie Austin (£6.6m) or Nathan Redmond (£5.9m), but it is unlikely it will happen this weekend.

At the back, the clean sheet means Southampton have conceded only one goal in their last five home fixtures across all competitions ahead of the Gameweek 10 visit of Chelsea.

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