The Survival Sunday Scout Picks are up – my final selection for the season. As such I couldn’t let them go without just a few words by way of explanation…
Granville and I rattled on at length in this week’s podcast about just how tricky this gameweek could prove and that’s reflected in the Picks. There’s no Ronaldo, no United defender, No Lampard and an unchanged pairing up front as I back those sides clinging to their Premier League lives.
Starting between the posts and, almost as a dedication, I’ve opted for Fulham’s Schwarzer. The Aussie keeper has had a spectacular season and is leading the rankings for his position in the Fantasy Premier League game. He faces Everton at the Cottage this gameweek – a fixture which Hodgson’s side need something from to cement a Europa League place. I’m backing a narrow home win, with perhaps yet another Fulham clean sheet and more save points for the outstanding Schwarzer.
In front of him I’ve gone with the safe option in the Liverpool defence – Arbeloa. Rafa’s side face Spurs at Anfield and despite the motivation of Redknapp’s team, I can see Rafa’s men running out comfortable winners here with another clean sheet. Arbeloa looks a secure starter – despite his altercation with Carragher last time out.
Blackburn’s Samba and Wigan’s N’Zogbia give me strong options for home clean sheets against West Brom and Portsmouth respectively – whilst offering a decent goal threat in their attacking positions. The final spot at the back goes to City’s Onuoha who represents strong value with his home fixture with Megson’s Bolton, who seem likely to turn up with a 4-5-1 and look to keep things tight.
In attacking terms I’ve naturally backed those sides I’ve tipping for goals – Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Villa, Newcastle and Boro. Liverpool’s Gerrard was the first name in the picks and an obvious FPL armband option. He has the golden boot in sight if he can nick a couple of goals against Spurs and he’ll plenty to prove in front of the Kop after the disappointment of missing out on the title.
City are represented by their player of the year, Stephen Ireland, an obvious goal threat against the Bolton defence. I’ve gone for Ashley Young in the Villa lineup against the leaky and injury ravaged Newcastle defence. Young is a slight injury doubt, which almost saw me turn to Barry as an alternative but Villa seem confident that Young will start. With Beye injured for Newcastle, he should have some joy if he starts out on the left with Heskey on the right.
Arsenal’s Fabregas gets the final spot in midfield. I’ve got slight doubts about this one since Wenger could well go with 4-4-2 and pull his skipper back to a deeper role. That was almost enough for me to opt for Van Persie up front but with few obvious midfield alternatives, I decided against that and gambled on Fabregas coming away with some attacking points and FPL bonus.
Up front I decided to keep the faith with Tuncay and Viduka from last week’s selection. Tuncay came up with the goods with a goal and FPL bonus, while Viduka was unlucky not to notch a goal himself. Both will be the main threats for their teams facing must-win away fixtures at West Ham and Villa respectively.
On my bench I’ve gone for an Arsenal defender – Gibbs being a strong, cheap option in most fantasy games, Djourou the alternative in the FPL where Gibbs is classed as a midfielder. The midfield bench slot goes to Hull’s Geovanni – surely the main threat to United’s goal at the KC stadium. Up front meanwhile, I’ve opted for Arsenal’s Bendtner who should start if Wenger does switch to 4-4-2, with Adebayor sidelined.