This week’s selection is, like many fantasy lineups, dominated by double gameweek players. Often this can represent a dangerous tactic, with gambles taken on players from unfashionable fantasy sources. In this instance however we have United, Arsenal and Spurs among others, to draw our double fixture candidates from. Unsurprisingly it’s those three sides that provide the backbone of the Scout Picks, starting with an unlikely choice in goal…
Heurelho Gomes hasn’t featured in my selection too often but goes into this weekend against a goal-shy Hull side, followed by a trip to Anfield to face a Liverpool lineup without Torres and Gerrard. I’m expecting at least one clean sheet with a few save points in the Fantasy Premier League game thrown in.
The defence in front of him includes just one double gameweek player – Evra providing the most dependable option in the United back four with his two home fixtures against Burnley and Hull. Wes Brown and Rafael present your cheaper, less secure options.
The rest of the back four is completed by three players who each have just one game this gameweek but have a strong possibility of defensive or attacking points. Villa’s Richard Dunne remains the rock and FPL bonus magnet in the Villa defence up against a impotent West Ham attack. Birmingham’s Roger Johnson meanwhile takes the trip to lowly Portsmouth boasting a strong defensive record and unquestionable form. The final member of the rearguard is a gamble. Juliano Belletti will come up against a Sunderland side, well capbable of breaching the Stamford Bridge defence but then we should see the Brazilian in a defensive midfield role. We’ve seen before how Belletti can lend himself to the attack and come up with a stunning long-range effort now and again. He’s worth a punt in my book.
The midfield draws heavily from the double gameweek potential. Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas is expected to return at the Reebok and follows this up with a home game, again with Bolton providing the opposition. That should return a decent quota of goals for Wenger’s men which, in turn, should see profit for the Arsenal skipper. Bolton’s Matt Taylor is in direct opposition and will be a key figure if the new Bolton boss target’s Arsenal’s weakness from set-plays. Taylor should also be on spot-kicks and is well overdue a goal from open play.
United’s Valencia takes up the third midfield berth. He has been in sparkling form of late with 3 goals and 3 assists in his last 7 league outings. He should start both home encounters and provide profit for his investors with kind opposition in his sights.
The final midfield spot was tough. Both Villa’s Milner and Blackburn’s Dunn got close but in their case I’m little wary of the threat of rest. Both players took part in the Carling Cup semi on Thursday and O’Neill and Allardyce have both previously stated that they are considering a rotation policy. Milner is in the form of his life and would seem likely to produce against West Ham should he start, but I’ve chose to play safe and go with Frank Lampard. Chelsea will need at least a couple against Sunderland in my view and with Drogba missing, it could well fall to a Lampard set-piece or penalty to make the difference. Joe Cole looks an alternative as a differential if you fancy a gamble.
With Torres injured, the strikers picked themselves. United’s Rooney faces two decent opponents at Old Trafford and goes into the games with strong form. It’s pretty inconceivable that he’ll come away without a goal from the Burnley and Hull matches. He is partnered by Tottenham’s Defoe who also faces Hull this weekend, followed by the trip to Anfield next Wednesday. I’m expecting 120 minutes or so from the World Cup wannabe – that should be enough to see him earn a goal or two.
As for the bench, I’ve opted for Samba of Blackburn with a decent chance of a cleanie and attacking points against Fulham. Wolves Milijas takes up my midfield slot – he should be recalled to the Wolves lineup and will be influential if Wolves are to prevail against travel sick Wigan. Diaby and Huddlestone present double gameweek options here if you want to load up. Both provide some attacking threat, although I’m a little worried that Diaby will be shackled for the first game with Bolton with Denilson likely to be absent.
Reluctantly I’ve opted for Liverpool’s Ngog up front, purely because he represents a bargain given that he is expected to start both of Liverpool’s games at Stoke and against Spurs. A confident Jerome for Birmingham up against Portsmouth also looks a good option here. Tevez is of course another alternative, although with a missing fixture next time out, he’s likely to be held by his owners rather than attract new investment.