This Week’s Scout Picks

It’s Friday night. It’s much later than I should have left it. It’s scout picks time.

I did have every intention of bringing these to you a lot earlier but, as I’ve mentioned before, things have been pretty pretty manic at work this week (I’m typing this from my desk). Enough of the chitchat though, here’s the deal.

For those new to this, first of all – hello, thanks for coming. Secondly, get your pinch of salt ready as I recommend a team for this week’s set of games. Over in the right hand menu you’ll see my selection for the week and if you read on you’ll find the daft logic behind it all.

For regulars, I ought to tell you that I’ve moved the goal posts a little this season. Now I’m allowing myself three players form each club (although I’ll try to avoid it at all costs). Plus I’m giving myself three subs with which to offer cheap alternatives should you need a budget option.

As before, this selection is not geared to a particular fantasy game and is not made with budget restrictions in mind.

Without further ado..I give you the first picks of the season. Exciting.

I’ve gone for Jaaskeleinan in goal with Bolton looking strong for a cleanie at home to new boys Stoke. By the way, I expect the reporters covering this game to be clutching short straws alongside their biros. I’m betting now that Sky Sports give this one to Merson.

We’ve some strong options in defence with United, Chelsea and Everton all looking good for clean sheets. United will surely sweep Newcastle to one side and with Keegan’s side struggling for attacking options. The likes of Ferdinand and Vidic look a no-brainer but I’ve gone for Evra this week though as he’s certain to play and could even take a left midfield berth, increasing his potential for assists.

Alongside Evra, we have one of last season’s favourite goalscoring centre backs – Villa’s Martin Laursen and Jagielka of Everton. Both have decent home games against sides that are low on confidence – City and Blackburn. I can see two clean sheets here with plenty of goal threat from Laursen and a possible added bonus of a midfield role for Jagielka. Terry completes a strong back four – I can’t see Pompey breaching the Chelsea back line, even with Bosingwa out injured. With a 4-5-1 expected from Harry, I see this being a comfortable 2-0 win for Scolari’s opener.

That match will hopefully see some points for Lampard who claims a midfield role. Fresh from signing a new contract, Lampard will be itching to prove himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful. I can see him kissing his bade on 23 minutes after his 20-yard goes in off Diop’s arse.

I’ve opted for a likely regular alongside him in the shape of Villa’s Young. He’ll be the chief attacking threat to City and should come out of the game with at least an assist in a decent Villa win.

I’ve opted for Taylor of Bolton at home to Stoke and Downing at home to Spurs. Both will be prominent at set plays and Downing may well be up against a makeshift right back in the shape of Zokora at the Riverside.

Up front I’ve with the strong combination of Tevez at home to Newcastle and Adeabyor at home to West Brom. United and Arsenal look likely to be the top scorers this week and these two strikers are in good form and should be at the centre of most of the attacking play.

On the bench as alternatives I have Ashton of West Ham at home to Wigan. He’s shown good form in pre-season but could find it hard against a Wigan side who could snatch a surprise win.

Osman is my spare mid-price man in midfield. I can see the Everton vs Blackburn game as a tight 1-0 but Osman could make the difference playing off the front man Yakubu. Faubert is another good option here and for a real outside bet, I’ve got an inkling that Seol could start pushed up alongside Zamora for Fulham at Hull. Could be worth a flutter.

In defence I’ve opted for Tottenham’s Bale. He could well be a star selection this season if he holds down a regular start. I’m not so sure on whether he’ll be in from the off at the Riverside, or if Tottenham came come away with a result, so I’m leaving him benched for this week as a precaution.

Finally, if you’re looking for an FPL captain (seems strange not to follow this with Ronaldo’s name) then Adebayor, Lampard and Tevez are very strong contenders and it’s got to be one of these three for me. I’m opting for Adebayor as I see Arsenal conceding and needing 3-4 goals to see of West Brom.

That’s it for now. Pick the bones out of that. I’m off home to scout for some late night team news. I’ll try