Updated Scout Picks
Refresh the screen and you’ll get a view of my Scout Weeks for this week’s Premiership matches.
As I explained in an earlier post, these are coming a few days before the bulk of this week’s fixtures in order to make the deadline for the popular fantasy premier league game. Should any of the picks pick up injuries or suspension over the weekend’s FA Cup games, I’ll discuss some alternatives in an additional post. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that and all the FPL managers enjoy an injury free Cup weekend.
Now let’s have a brief chat about my selection…
Once again I’ve spread the risk with clean sheets by going with five different sides. I’m not totally confident about the potential for shut-outs so I’ve gone for the possibility of goals and FPL bonus points from my defenders to help compensate.
First off, I’ve gone for Hart in goal to allow me to pick two Chelsea and United players elsewhere. Hart travels to Derby in a game which, on paper, screams of a clean sheet. However Jewell’s men will put up a fight and could well breach the City defence. I’m hoping Richards is back from the knee injury that will see him miss the FA Cup game against Plymouth.
Vidic is once again my selection from the United defence - he and Ferdinand are much of a muchness, although I still feel Vidic is due a goal. Portsmouth provide the opposition and could pose a threat but such is the strength of the United backline, you just can’t bet against a clean sheet here.
I’ve gone for Wheater alongside him. He faces Wigan who have yet to fail to score under Bruce, however Wheater is such a threat from set-pieces you wouldn’t bet against points regardless. He’s also earned all three bonus points in the FPL game in two consecutive games.
Bizarrely perhaps I’ve gone for two Bolton players. It’s not as silly as it first looks though. Bolton are one of the sides who aren’t in action in the FA Cup, therefore you can be sure to avoid any injuries going into the midweek Premiership games. Secondly, and most significantly, they face Fulham. Hodgson’s men are in abysmal form and have a dreadful scoring record away from home. Bolton have also conceded just three in the last five home games, losing just once and winning four. On paper then, Bolton look a good bet for a home win and a clean sheet.
The first of their players I’ve gone for is Steinsson, who comes into my defence. He looked very solid in his debut at Newcastle and picked up an FPL bonus point. O’Brien is a cheaper alternative but doesn’t offer the same bonus point potential and is sitting on four bookings, a consideration if you’re looking beyond this week of fixtures.
Alex completes the defence. Chelsea, like United, look rock solid at the back at the moment and Alex has been in superb form. Ivanovic will be itching for a debut and does offer the opportunity for rotation but I can’t see Grant omitting Alex right now. Reading will provide a goal threat but I just can’t see them breaching the Chelsea back four right now.
In midfield - Ronaldo picks himself. Ferguson won’t chance resting him and he promises a goal-a-game right now. Obvious choice for FPL captain again - ordinary weeks for Ronaldo are surely on the horizon but it’s just too risky to overlook him.
Alongside him I’ve taken some risks. Arteta and Fabregas are both superb fantasy players on a bad run of form. Without Cahill I can see the Everton man stepping forward against Spurs. He’ll pose his usual threat from set-pieces of course and I fancy him to cause Spurs left-back Lee, all kinds of problems. Fabregas meanwhile just hasn’t been contributing but I’m sticking with him. There should be goals for Arsenal against Newcastle, with Wenger’s men eager to bury Tuesday’s defeat to Spurs. I expect them to come out blasting and put three or more past Given. Fabregas is surely due a decent return and I just don’t fancy the alternatives - Gerrard, Petrov, Bentley etc - this week.
The last midfield place goes to my second Bolton player, Matt Taylor. He was pushed forward, almost alongside Davies on the left of a 4-3-3 agianst Newcastle. If he lnes up there on a regular basis he’ll contribute goals and assists. He’ll also be all over the set-pieces. I fancy him to come away with something from this game.
Up front it’s almost impossible to ignore Adebayor on his form so I won’t. Again, I expect Arsenal to go for the throat against Newcastle in midweek, regardless of the FA Cup score between them.
Anelka takes the last spot up front. Surely he’s due to break his Chelsea duck here? He’s already looked sharp, has struck the bar twice and should find the Reading defence the most accomodating yet in his short career as a Blue.
Outside of this eleven - in defence Laursen provides his usual value and goal threat but is up against a Blackburn side who normally score away from home so he’ll need FPL bonus points or a goal to come out with something. Could easily happen though.
Corluka offers good value for City. They have a strong chance of a clean sheet at Derby, while Corluka seems likely to be in midfield given that Vassell could be set to move up front.
In midfield I’ve a feeling that Osman will also prosper against Spurs. Can’t put my finger on why, I just see him being a threat and someone, like Arteta, who could raise his game given the absence of Cahill and the competition for places in the Everton midfield.
Up front I like Johnson against Spurs - he’s looking sharp and I expect Everton to get the win with Tottenham resting a few after the Old Trafford Cup tie. I also see Jones getting some points once more as Sunderland get a result at home to Birmingham. Will be a tough game this one but I can see Keane’s men edging it and when they win, Jones normally gets amongst the action.
Finally, when it comes to an FPL captain there’s little on offer to dislodge Ronaldo. As mentioned, it’s a major risk to overlook him so I need good evidence of points potential elsewhere to justify a change. I’ve a feeling Arteta will do best out of the players I’ve selected. I just see him raising his game and I just can’t see Lee, a Spurs weak link, coping with him with little defensive back-up availalbe from Malbranque. I’m predicting a double figues in the FPL for Arteta then, but in the kind of form Ronaldo is in, that kind of hunch is still not enough to warrant taking the risk beyond the United man.
Thanks for the great notes again Mark! Was weighing up the captaincy between Adebayor and Ronaldo, but you’ve backed Ronny and you’re usually right, so I’ll go for Ronaldo. Cheers
[Reply]
i know its always a risk to not make ronaldo captain, but i think adebayor willl be a better option…1) newcastle defense may be easier to breach than portsmouth (tho with KK in now, i’m not sure how the players will react) 2) maybe a bit of psychology here, but ronaldo may be affected by the news regarding a transfer to real (altho i doubt he really wants to go now anyway), and adebayor may wanna get over the bendtner clash with a good performance. thoughts?
thx for your notes Mark. brilliant website!
[Reply]
As always, brilliant and this time even more comprehensive
Thanks, Mark!
anyway, where is everybody? not realizing the deadline.
Ah, 1 question, Mark, what do u think the prospect of M. Bent in Wigan, with the arrival of King? not worthy as a substitute player anymore?
[Reply]
Bullard or Taylor?
Both are potential goalscorers, but will Bullard start? I think Bullard is a better player.
[Reply]
@rd
Regarding reason no. 1, it may be true, even MU had 6 against Newcastle when they were managerless. But I also don’t know the situation now with KK as manager.
About no. 2, I think I’ve read somewhere that Real said that they surrendered, and they admit that it’s almost impossible to buy either Ronaldo or Fabregas as there are really bonded to their clubs.
So.. Ronaldo
although I do believe that Adebayor is saver, I think he will atleast get an assist or goal.
[Reply]
@Torjus
Bullard still needs to prove his fitness.
Taylor? Mark almost successfully persuaded me to swap Taylor in for Cahill
[Reply]
I picked Bullard:P
[Reply]
@rd:
Stick with Twinkle-toes
On another note:
Who sill score more points this week:
Flamini or Jaaskelainen
Currently have Flam but agree w Mark about FUL away form and liklihood for a BOL clean sheet.
-TheNecromancer
[Reply]
Thanks Mark for your extensive overview of this weekend’s/next week’s action to help us FPL players.
I think everybody has to have Arsenal players in again since there must be a prospect of at least 3 goals against Newcastle. Fabregas must be worth perservering with (I have also got Flamini who hasn’t don’t much points-wise either lately!).Getting Adebayor will virtually drain my brank dry by switching him with Benjani so I’m going to stick with what I said earlier in the week and pick Andy Johnson up front.
I can see Everton turning over Spurs and they should get one or two goals against a leaky Blackburn defence the week after. Johnson has the opportunity to show his worth with Cahill missing the next game and Yakubu still away on ANC duty. He has also scored in his last two games and as Mark said he has looked sharp into the bargain..at £8.1m I think he still has prove his value though.
Despite slagging off Agbonlahor earlier this week, I’ve stuck with him because Villa will get goals especially against Blackburn and then they have Fulham in Gamesweek 25 - I’m just hoping he’ll regain his earlier season form now.
Portsmouth’s existing vulnerability in defence can be exploited by Manchester United - I envisage United turning over Pompey by two goals and keeping a cleansheet as well. The goals could come from anywhere but it’s good to have Ronaldo and Tevez in although Rooney is starting to get his act together. The captain’s armband is going to stay with Ronaldo. Surprise! Surprise! Although I had my fingers burnt last week by not putting Benjani captain; and I now have to start taking risks in my league..
I’m going to keep an eye on your Bolton choices Mark, especially Taylor, especially for future Bolton home games.
I’ve stayed clear from Anelka so far but against Reading I’d be surprised if he didn’t open his account for Chelsea.
[Reply]
Mark, what do you think of Milan Baros’ prospects if he goes to Portsmouth?
[Reply]
My team is:
GK: Hart, Cerny
DEF: Laursen, Clichy, Wheater, Lescott, Belletti
MID: Gerrard, M.Petrov, Jenas, Bentley, Fabregas
FWD: Benjani, M.Bent, Adebayor
2.2 in bank.
Who should I spend it on? Maybe Marcus Bent?
[Reply]
my midfield: Ronaldo, Gerrard, Fabregas, Petrov
My strikers: Adebayor, Agbonlahor, Benjani
what could i change to improve this?
[Reply]
Am gonna sell Cahill for Birmingham’s Larsson this week as he’s on form and they have Sunderland and Derby next. Fingers are firmly crossed!
[Reply]
@ Eleven
Larsson is a good buy - good value for money. I have had him now for a while and had a good return. I actually think Kapo is another good buy, he is back in first 11 and has goals in him and as you say they have good fixtures coming up
[Reply]
Torjus - I love Bullard as a player and at the Cottage he’s a very good bet. Away from home though Fulham have really struggled for goals and Bolton have been effective at keeping clean sheets at the Reebok. That points to Taylor over Bullard for this one but, as always, I could be very very wrong.
Mad - Yep, I’m puzzled by the King signing. It gives Bruce more options but Bent has done well. It could be that Heskey is in a bad way injury-wise and that King will be used to bring in to rest the big man. If not Bent looks out of it and is very unlucky given his performances this season.
Talon - Baros has never delivered his international form in the Premiership but then Harry could be the one to extract this. I reckon he’ll take time to adjust again despite what Harry says. When he did find some form he always very streaky, bit of a nightmare in fantasy terms. Perhaps one for a block of favourable fixtures but not a long-term prospect based of what we’ve seen in the past.
Rd - Adebayor is likely to figure in the points if Arsenal win, which I suspect they will be a decent margin. However, I’m still not convinced that’s a strong enough case to gamble on taking the captaincy Ronaldo. It really depends on your mini-league situation. If you need to make up ground you probably need to take risks, if not, it doesn’t seem worthy deviating from Ron.
Leighton - some good points. I think Agbonlahor may do okay today - I don’t fancy the Blackburn defence at Villa Park so he and/or Carew should get some points. It depends on how much Villa miss Barry if he fails his fitness test.
Eleven - agree with Chris, Larsson is a decent buy with Birmingham’s fixtures. He was next on my rankings for midfielders and only off the list because I wanted to keep the numbers down. An early goal at Sunderland and Larsson could well be in the points.
10 minutes till FPL deadline..good luck everyone.
[Reply]
Cheers guys. Getting Larsson has also left me cash rich so I’ll be able to get Gerrard for his double gameweek soon - another bonus. Not having Adebayor is hurting me in my league though
[Reply]
@ Eleven,
Know the feeling mate! I have drifted in my league purely because of the fact that I’m only lad in top 4 who has not got Adebayor… So I bought him yesterday. I have missed out on big points so hope to make up ground.
You should buy him if you can mate - he bags too many points to miss out on!
[Reply]
i decided to ditch Gerrard for today and put in Taylor. the extra cash i swapped Benjani for Anelka. Lets hope your tips come off Mark - (prays)
[Reply]
Hands up who sold Santa Cruz? I’m now regretting trading him for Bent this week, as his place is no longer assured. At least that allowed me to sign Laursen, who scooped another three bonus points!
[Reply]
Yup, corey I sold Santa as well. Although I did draft in Adebayor, the Togolese frontman must now notch up at least 10 points for me not to have wasted points.
[Reply]
he scored twice against newcastle today maybe he’ll score 3 next time =)
[Reply]
I can see the Newcastle V Arsenal premiership match being very tight on Tuesday after today FA cup win for gunners. I think something like 0-0 or 1-1.
[Reply]
ps: What is wrong with Fabregas??? He’s like a different player compared to 3 months ago… well much more ordinary anyway!
[Reply]
Start thinking of selling him, Chris?
[Reply]
Newcastle battled a bit yesterday especially in the first half but still lost 3-0: I can still see Arsenal winning on Tuesday but they will probably have to grind out the result.
I’m worried about Fabregas at the moment too: the playmaker and goalscorer is curiously absent -Adebayor or Eduardo remain Arsenal’s chief goal threats and players like Rosicky and Hleb seem to be have more of an influence on recent games than him.
Totally digressing, Agbonlahor was goalless yesterday…again. Ashley Young is out against Fulham so I will perserve with him one more time. The game gainst Fulham promises at least two Villa goals - I need him to score to restore some faith in him…
[Reply]
Newcastle battled a bit yesterday especially in the first half but still lost 3-0: I can still see Arsenal winning on Tuesday but they will probably have to grind out the result.
I’m worried about Fabregas at the moment too: the playmaker and goalscorer is curiously absent -Adebayor or Eduardo remain Arsenal’s chief goal threats and players like Rosicky and Hleb seem to be have more of an influence on recent games than him.
Totally digressing, Agbonlahor was goalless yesterday…again. Ashley Young is out against Fulham so I will perserve with him one more time. The game gainst Fulham promises at least two Villa goals - I need him to score to restore some faith in him…
[Reply]
I have Santa Cruz!! He scores almost all his goals away from home. I’ll keep him for the rest of the season. And he won’t be rotated. Blackburn are out of all the cups so they should be fresher than some of the other teams
I’ll put away my smug smile now
[Reply]
@ Mad
Yeah I really would sell him… but who to replace him with?!
There is no direct replacemnet in his price bracket but I suppose I am like many. Afraid to sell in case he turns in a bit of form again, and if you turn in form with Arsenal then you are getting big big points
[Reply]
@ Mark
yr right mark, i’m 2nd with a 50 pt gap to catch up on…so need to take the risk at some point! well adebayor was apparently brilliant in the cup tie…so it may pay off…
[Reply]
was anybody holding on to van persie, i bought him a while ago thinking he was going to be a hell of a buy and i was hearing that he was getting back to fitness but i sold his sorry ass and ankle for eduardo instead.
i want to ask a few question for mark though
why is it that ballack and lampard cant play together?
will it be wise to sell petrov of mcy for ballack or malouda?
anybody else pissed of at benitez for his rotations, i want to buy babel but his playing time is not consistent
[Reply]