This Week’s Scout Picks

by Mark on August 15

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

{ 106 comments }

onetime August 15 at 11:15 pm

Anyone got any tips on who to have as Defensive Midfield on the Guardian one?

I have just replaced Essien with Barry and have money left over to upgrade my second DM.

I’m just wondering whether its worth bothering putting £5.5m for a reserve in this position? There don’t seem to be many great options.

Maybe just get Etuhu at Sunderland and spend the money elsewhere?

Thanks

Trevor B August 15 at 11:40 pm

Which is best (for the next few weeks)?

Howard, Laursen, G. Johnson/Woodgate
Cech, Laursen, Wheater/Ben Haim
Howard, L. Young, Lescott

A. Young, Lampard, Osman, Bentley, De Ridder
A. Young, Petrov/Downing/Nasri, J. Cole, Bentley, De Ridder

Thanks!

Bedknobs and Boomsticks (Naboombu Utd) August 15 at 11:47 pm

Options 1 (with Woodgate) and 1.

Maddy August 15 at 11:44 pm

Joe Cole or Lampard? Can see Cole take the position besides Anelka. Who is the better alternative in defence to a price on 4,0? I’m buying him for the next round.

Thanks,

Sir al August 15 at 11:54 pm

I was plannning on putting Alonso into my mid field. Some reports are suggesting he might not play. Can anyone confirm this? Matt Taylor is waiting on the bench to replace him.

Mark August 16 at 12:00 am

I’ve just updated the team news with this. He and Benayoun have dead legs. My money is on him playing but there is clearly some doubt.

Sir al August 16 at 12:08 am

Thanks Mate! Don’t think I’ll risk it. Hopefully Taylor will pick up some points.

Andywins August 16 at 12:11 am

I am playing the Yahoo Fantasy and you get one trade a week free so I wonder if much of what you are doing is good for the long term because you will just need to trade them off in the near future. The expense of a trade is too great. Torres you can keep for the long haul, same with Howard. I love your site though, it has really helped me and the proof will be in the pudding! I joined your league as well, what name do you go by in the fantasy game?

Andywins August 16 at 12:32 am

Your site rocks!

Stengo August 16 at 12:46 am

“I can see him kissing his bade on 23 minutes after his 20-yard goes in off Diop’s arse.”….. Marco, is “bade” a new reference to “knob”? If so, well done Lampard!

Michael August 16 at 12:51 am

As I have mentioned before I am new to this but this article has given me confidence that I’m on the right track as my team is eerily close to the one mentioned. I do have some questions for the seasoned pros though. My team is as follows:

Jaaskelainen (Schwarzer)

Evra, Laursen, Shorey (Cahill)

Lampard, Taylor, Bentley, A. Young (Seol)

Adebayor, Tevez, Zamora

My question to all of you is this:

Is it silly to play Shorey/Laursen together or should I downgrade Cahill and upgrade Shorey to Jagielka, or

Downgrade Cahill and upgrade Seol to Faubert, or

Leave it the way it is.

I like Shorey’s potential and I feel as though Laursen is a must have, I just don’t know if it’s stupid to play them together. I picked Seol purely as a cash cow if he blitz’s against Hull but I think Faubert is potentially the higher points earner.

I really would appreciate all your help on this one guys and thankyou all beforehand.

Trevor B August 16 at 1:48 am

Petrov or Downing?

Shilo August 16 at 2:55 am

Great site.

It would seem that the Spurs should rack up the goals against Middlesbrough seeing as they don’t have a quality keeper. Heck, they’ve got two guys both valued at 4.0 and couldn’t decide between them till the last minute.

Bent, Bentley, Modric, Giovanni …. I’m expecting a blowout.

Side note: Best value, Luke Young for Villa. Where else are you going to find a first choice defender on a team capable of finishing in the top 6 for only 4.5 mill.

TT August 16 at 4:32 am

Here it is after way too much thought took out Adebayor at the last minute, which I know is going to bite me. Feedback Please

Cech

Evra, Lescott, Laursen

Taylor, Downing, Young, Lamps(C), Bentley

RVP, Ashton

Any suggestions appreciated.

Onkel-evil August 16 at 6:41 am

Hello everybody,

Is´nt Adebayor doubtfull?

Steve August 16 at 10:13 am

oo bloomin heck please tell me he isn’t

Trevor B August 16 at 4:45 am

Osman or M. Taylor?

lethalbeez August 16 at 5:07 am

Here’s my starting 11 :

Friedel
Shorey, Lescott, Clichy
Bentley, A.Young, Nolan, Arteta
Tevez, Adebayor(C), Bent

Should I : change Nolan with Taylor / Arteta with Downing / Shorey with Laursen..

What do u guys reckon?
Help needed please.

Shilo August 16 at 5:30 am

Laursen over Shorey

Arteta over Downing

Nolan vs Taylor (a push)

Guy Incognito August 16 at 7:21 am

Laursen. He could be on a role.

Arteta. Better fixtures, class player, hopefully over his injury problems.

Taylor, definitely.

Paul August 16 at 7:09 am

Not much talk about Damian Duff. I know Newcastle are off form and have a tough first few weeks but he is relatively cheap in most games and will actually be playing as a striker for the first few weeks.

Im struggling between him and Matt Taylor at the moment.

Also, do we think Agger is a safe bet or is Benitez going to rotate him with Skertl?

Holmesy August 16 at 7:38 am

Last minute tinkering…

Who’ll start for Boro in goal?

Turnbull or Jones?

Lots of differing views in newspapers this morning!

PLEASE help asap.

Shilo August 16 at 7:52 am

I’ve been seeing Turnbull mentioned more often then not… but if you need a keeper at 4.0 mill, I’d pass on both of them. Either one will get killed by the Spurs attack this week.

Look at Schwarzer who has a much better match up against Hull.

Holmesy August 16 at 7:57 am

I’m looking longer term as a backup keeper, but you’d rate Schwarzer over the Boro boys?

cyberPUNK August 16 at 8:01 am

i know i’ll be switching to schwarzer eventually. what time is in in england anyway?

Holmesy August 16 at 8:07 am

9.06 am mate – where the hell are you then?

Shilo August 16 at 10:12 am

Actually, for my backup keeper I’m going with Myhill from Hull. I only plan to keep him for the first 4 games (Fulham, Blackburn, Wigan and Newcastle). It’s a bet on the chances Hull might pull off a clean sheet or two out of the group. A longshot, but Schwarzer is owned by 37% of the teams and Myhill only 1.3%.

Just looking to bank a little cash when I switch later. It’ll give me more options for future upgrades.

cyberPUNK August 16 at 8:10 am

haha, i’m in japan, it’s 5:04 pm. trying to figure out when this transfer window closes and anxiously anticipating the scores.

Murder on Zidanes Floor August 16 at 8:58 am

Captain.. either lampard or adebayor???????????

show me some light

Arul August 16 at 9:07 am

Lampard.

I’m an Arsenal fan and I sense a very dull performance from them today (especially with their depleted midfield) and I’m expecting a 1-1 draw.

You heard it here first!

(Unless this prediction turns out wrong..)

Jimmy August 16 at 9:44 am

Could be 1-1, could be 5-0.

Adeayor & Bent or RVP & Tevez taking into account the first 2 or 3 games? I had the first two but Mark has got me wondering.

Leighton August 16 at 9:45 am

Roll on 11.30 a.m. – I think the credit crunch is reflected in the prices of the players this season. Took Tevez out after much thought – £10m is a vastly inflated value and if Rooney plays he may steal the limelight. I’ve gone for Ashton to free up some cash to buy in better defenders.

Anyway from a betting point of view, it is too early in the season to be confident about anything (not that I was ever confident halfway or towards the end of the season about my betting prowess!).

Just a couple of quid today on a win treble – Bolton, Tottenham and Aston Villa. Don’t know what the overall price is but it’ll be worth a punt.

MrPDM August 17 at 5:38 am

Bet your glad at that Ashton choice ! cyki.com currently 3rd place league code 945-234 Unofficial fantasy football scout league

The Cheef August 16 at 10:16 am

n

captainmarvel August 16 at 10:20 am

Luke Young OR Cahill (Bolton)???????

Shilo August 16 at 10:45 am

Take Young… best value amoung the defenders at 4.5

terry August 26 at 5:30 pm

young is your man every time

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: