The Weekend’s Scout Picks
Refresh your screen and you should see my new Scout Picks for the weekend’s games. As always these picks are the end product of the Shortlists tables you’ll find in the right-hand menu, so please scroll down to see how I’ve ranked players going into this weekend’s games. Read on for some dubious explanation of my selection…
There’s no massive suprises in the lineup. James and Campbell pick themselves with Portsmouth facing Boro at home. Harry will be determined to show a more attacking approach at the weekend but with Boro still struggling for goals, a clean sheet looks more likely at Fratton Park than at any other ground. I’ve gone for Ridgewell in the back four because I fancy Birmingham to get another shut-out against Fulham. The Londoners have a new boss to impress but I feel that McCleish has made steps to tighten Birmingham defensively. Ridgewell also offers a goal threat from set-pieces.
Vidic picks himself - the most reliable of United’s whilst Ferdinand is carrying a slight knock and the full-back positions are open to rotation. United could easily keep West Ham at arms length with Ashton and Cole clearly struggling against Reading on Boxing Day. Alex gets the final spot in the defence. He just pips Laursen because of Zat Knight’s suspension has forced O’Neil to change his backline. Plus Newcastle looked so poor at Wigan, I can’t see them breaching even a second-string Chelsea defence.
For outside bets in defence - Ryan Taylor is defnitely worth a look if he’s fit but that’s a big if. Blackburn could well get a clean sheet at Derby with Samba perhaps the most sensible option due to his goal threat. I can also see the Sunderland vs Bolton game being tight with O’Brien and McShane options here depending on where you think a possible clean sheet could go. Spurs’ King is also worth considering but I’m still doubtful whether they can shutout Reading who looked good against the Hammers.
In midfield Ronaldo is a must - you simply can’t afford to omit him from your lineup, no matter who the opposition are. I’ve gone for Gerrard after his performance at Derby. The City game will be another close one and Gerrard could well be the difference again. Cahill is the other midfielder on fire with five goals in seven games and I expect Arsenal to concede at Goodison. The final place goes to Bentley who is likely to move back to a wide midfield role, however, I’m expecting goals at Pride Park and Bentley could well profit again.
I’ve a strange feeling that Arteta could do well against Arsenal - he’s a big match player and he’ll be keen to compare well to Fabregas. He too is someone who is hard to ignore but I can see the game at Goodison being tight with few goals. I like Bolton’s Nolan at Sunderland, but again, I can’t see there being too many goals here. Outside bets include Wigan’s Sibierski - if Heskey fails his fitness test then he should be up front and I can see a few goals going in against Villa. I can also see Portsmouth notching a few against Boro which is why Kranjcar could be worth a look. Villa’s Barry is ranked lower that perhaps expected, but that’s because there’s a chance he could be employed at left-back if Bouma fails his fitness test.
Up front I’ve stuck with Berbatov. Keane perhaps offers a more direct goal threat but I expect Berbatov to be amongst the star performers in a game that should feature a good few goals. I’ve partnered him with Santa Cruz simply because of form and the opposition. Derby are crippled by injury and I can see Blackburn notching at least a couple of goals. That will surely mean points for Santa again.
Outside of these two I can see Tevez and Rooney tearing into West Ham. Rooney broke his scoring duck at Sunderland on Boxing Day, while Tevez will be keen to torment his former club. Torres is on fire and I expect Liverpool to score at City, but again, I can’t see more than a couple of goals in that game. The same applies to Bolton and Anelka at Sunderland and Everton’s Yakubu at home to Arsenal. For an outside bet and a cheap option, Forssell looks good at home to Fulham. I’ve also got inklings that we’ll see Carew and Kanu amongst the points.
That’s if for now then. Plenty to pick apart there. Over to you lot.
I think I have a good squad for this gameweek, with six of the Scout Picks, but I don’t know who to play?
James, Hart
Mellberg, Alex, Campbell, O’Brien, (Yobo-Arsenal)
Gerrard, Fabregas, Cahill, Nolan, Dempsey
Adebayor, Torres, Santa Cruz (C)
What should my team be?
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that “rest” beside ronaldo to the right scared the shit out of me. think he wont play? they took him of last week so im guessing he will play. he was a defo as my captin. any other ideas? worried now.
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There’s always a chance Pablo but as I’ve mentioned before, I can’t see Ferguson taking that step for a good while after the Bolton defeat. I include it as a factor, just so people consider it before selection. Obviously though, with so many games in so short a time, the risk is greater in the next two games.
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Pablo, don’t worry, just have a Guinness…
Now, on my goalkeeper situation. As I’m getting Anelka in for Abby and wanted to get Hreidarsson in for Distin to free up the funds (I can just see Hreidarsson get a goal this weekend), but then changed my mind coz he’s not a sure starter, I’m now getting rid of Reina instead. Was gonna get Howard, as I don’t have an Everton defender after getting rid of Lescott last week (I know, brilliant move), but looking at the fixtures, James is also looking god. Prob is I already have Distin and don’t want to rely too heavily on one team’s defence.
Thoughts?
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sound in anyways mark. west ham could upset united though. but as ya said they prob got a fright at bolton.
james! . thats a clean sheet i think anyways. i bought cambell and bentley. was gona buy distin too, but all eggs in one basket aint a good idea. i have a feeling everton will win. i even stuck a bet on durin my break today. if your thinkin to the future may as well get howard. what about frediel?
strangly enough im drinkin guinness the mo. . .
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Pablo - Get Ports defenders in.. they have a great run of fixtures coming.
@ Everyone - HELP!!!… Who do I make captain this week???
I have Ronaldo, Gerrard, Fabrgas but am tempted to make Benjani captain.
Would appreciate you views lads!!
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And I didn’t even send you one yet…
Friedel ain’t cuttin’ it for me. Well, let’s just say the Blackburn defence isn’t.
It’s between Howard and James for me. Looks like James has the better fixtures, but as I said, I already have Distin and Howard’s cheaper. I hate Fridays. Bloody decisions…
Chris I’d go for Ronaldo.
It’s between him and Santa for me.
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Cheers Alex!
My worry on making Ronaldo Capt is that he could be rested as predicted by Mark.. should I risk it? or should I play safe??
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I worry about Benjani Chris. With Kanu likely to play, Benjani will be stuck out on the right unless Harry goes 4-4-2 on us. Then again, last time I wrote Benjani off he hit a hat-trick the next match.
My choice for captain would be the obvious Ronaldo or alternatively - one of the Blackburn pair or one of Berbatov or Keane. I’m predicting United, Spurs and Blackburn to get at least a couple of goals each. If you want to play safe then a Portsmouth defender looks the best option.
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Hey all, Q for all to weigh in on here…I have had MG Pederson for quite sometime now, have held on to him despite the lack of points bc I’ve watched quite a few of their games and has had some great chances and missed about 10 sitters on the 6 yd line. Thinking of switching him outright for Cahill and switching Riise for Wes Brown in the back bc he hasn’t produced too many points either and is always subject to Rafatation, but do you all think Sir Alex will bring in another back, or will Neville play when he gets back (physioroom has him back January 1)? PLEASE HELP with both!!!
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Replaced Knight, Lampard and Jerome with Distin, Cahill and Santa Cruz. Took an 8 point hit, but their upcoming fixtures are so good, I’m sure it will pay off over the next few weeks (or not).
Pretty sure Ronaldo will play, considering he only played 60 minutes against Sunderland. I’m also pretty sure Brown won’t lose his place until he sees his fifth yellow.
Also, Rafatatation is my new favorite word.
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I’d advise changing Benjani for Kanu. When he’s not injured, Kanu’s a great points-per-game chap, and I think Harry knows he’s a more deadly striker than Benjani (who I’ll be sorry to let go - the lad’s done great for me, and most other people, so far).
If anyone would care to advise me on a defensive conundrum. I need a 3-man defence - Cole is out but I’m keeping him, so I want 3 from Bouma, Arbeloa, Evra and Nelsen. The first two are doubtful, but I’m guessing Arby’s more likely to shake off the flu than Bouma is to recover from his dodgy ankle. Am I right?
PS I’m sure Ron will play, and he’d be my captain choice.
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Jerome or M.Bent on the field, Mark?
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Great site Mark, the upturn in my fpl fortunes coincided directly with discovering this website!
Any thoughts on whether it’s worth a 4 point hit to swap Nolan for Bentley this gameweek? Thanks!
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Bentley will get 1 goal, 1 assist and 3 bonus, promise you!
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I’m not so sure Mads… I just put him in and was thinking of making him captain but I looked back over his scoring history and sometimes, even when Blackburn have scored highly, he’s only walked away with 1 or 2 points..
e.g. Fulham away- 2-2 he got 1 point
Wigan away 5-3 he got 2 points
I know he can’t be expected to do well every game but if you contrast it to Ronaldo you’ll see that whenever Ronaldo plays he practically ALWAYS scores big!
(except the 4-1 against Middlesbrough when he got nothing)
I think I’m confusing myself….
Sod it- might just go with…. Berbatov!
It’s exceptionally sad but I think that if I had a time machine right now, out of all the things I could do, my first action would be to go and see what happens in the weekend game so I could choose the right captain…
I’ve lost the plot.
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HI.
Well i got a different kind of issue,eheheh…
My captain, yes it is the most anoying decision..
I got a choice of santa cruz or ronaldo as a captain.
And i not sure if i should get a sunderland defender as they have got a must win match or a birmingham defender for a clean sheet.
I wonder if anyone could give me a decent advise.
Thanks a lot.
By the way excellent website…
Best Regards
Iben C.
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Firstly, great site and the best information available for FPL!
Secondly have been reading for weeks and feel I now need to get involved!
My Team;
GK-Hart (Niemi)
Def-Brown,Ferdinand,Laursen,(Jaidi,Halford-don’t ask!)
Mid-Fabregas,Ronaldo,Gerrard,Bentley,(Larsson)
Str-Forsell,Adebayor,Anelka
Need help with a Captain - any advice?
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Hi, DJE
For me the best choice to be ur captain would be:
-Bentley
Because he will play in his best position as a playmaker.
So u could be looking for some assists ponits and maybe a goal.
Realistic i can’t see Derby troubling Blackburn as they need to be back on the winning ways.
Do u have any clue for my captains choice?
Best of luck mate.
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Iben,
I am tempted to say we should both go for Ronaldo but I need to gain points in my league - everybody else has him. If you are not in the same boat he is on fire!
Best of luck!
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Guys,
Do you think Belletti is going to play the next few games?? I see Mark has included him in his likely Chelsea lineup.
btw..great site Mark!!
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Comments on Hreidarsson and Meite also welcome..thanks
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.. and it’s interesting to see that no one think about the possibility of Berbatov or Santa Cruz got rested
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The weekend will no doubt see me proved wrong, but i think Berbatov and Santa Cruz will start. Both were subbed off before the end of their respective matches, indicating that their legs were probably being saved for the next games - i hope anyway!
Anyway, they’re in Mark’s scout picks so they’ve gotta be playing, right…
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As Seven says, Berbatov was subbed on the hour mark so I think he’ll start. Santa Cruz could be rested by I don’t think Hughes can afford to. He needs to find a win and such is the form of the man, I just can’t see him not starting.
Luke - Belletti should get a game either tomorrow or on New Years Day. Hreidarsson is a risk as Pamarot could be back against Reading if not tomorrw. Meite is a cert to play for Bolton and their fixtures are actually pretty good over the next month.
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Thanks Mark..u r the best
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Any news on Pamarot playing this weekend?
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I’m feeling quite confident about this weekend.
My team is;
GK- Friedel
DEF- Ferdinand, Distin, Laursen
MID- Ronaldo, Bentley, Fabregas, Nolan
FOR- Keane(C), Santa Cruz, Jerome
What do you guys think?
I considered swapping Friedel for James but I don’t think Rovers will keep conceding like they have recently, particularly with a decent run of fixtures coming up.
Awesome sight btw Mark!
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Why no love for Tevez as captain? He’s playing against his old club, has just been rested and has been on sparkling form. Now Rooney is back on his game I’m sure he’ll at least get a couple of assists if not a couple of goals. West Ham at home have been ropey too.
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Agreed Kelly. I’ve got Tevez and Rooney ranked 3rd and 4th in my shortlist this week.
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Mark,
Outstanding info yet again!
I’m pretty happy with my FPL team this week but am struggling to decide whether to go with Dempsey in midfield away to birmingham or Jones up front for sunderland in their ‘must-win’ game. Any thoughts?
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Who should I play Nolan or Cahill?
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JT,
Dempsey is like the handiest player that is cheap atm.. definately hang onto him.. Jones hasn’t done much since his 2 goals in 2 games.. i have a dilemma as well, benjani or santa cruz.. benjani has been quiet but santa cruz is in good form and vs derby.. if i swap benjani who is playing at home.. he’ll score for sure
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Ollie,
Yep, cahill.. can’t beat an aussie lol.. great form
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Lads,
you guys reckon Gerrard/Santa claus in for Fabregassed and Benjani?? that’s what i’m looking atm..
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also shevchenko looks likely against the maggies too..
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The fact Ronaldo was taken off before the hour makes me think he’ll at least start against West Ham. It’s the relatively straight-forward home game against Birmingham that i think he may be rested for.
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Nice week to pull Berbs in for Tevez and make him Captain :-))
Spurs/Reading - a better game than Villa/Chelski? Am stuck in France, “watching” bbc.co.uk so I have no clue
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Hei Phill, the top 250 guy!
I guess now i know why you are in the top 250 .. (maybe now even in the top 100 with your current captain).. because .. you are sooo lucky
any other tips and tricks?
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hi Im currently on top of my leuge out of my mates , im clear by about 60 points i was clear by 100 i can now feel the pressure , my team is
james, alex,distan,ferdinand,gallas,barry,Faberegas(C),gerrard,Bently,Teves,santa cruz
Can any1 see anything that i can improve on maybe making the odd change to make all the difference
Thanks Tom
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Gameweek 21 captain?
Bentley
Ronaldo - rest?
Fabregas - form?
Gerrard - form?
????
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