Time and resources are a little be stretched for your Scout Picks selector tonight. I find myself aboard a packed commuter train, partially connected to the internet via a mobile connection and furiously tapping this out on a tiny netbook. I’m on my way to a wedding that’s taking place tomorrow and finding that familar pull between a social life and fantasy football. It’s not a marriage made in heaven. Even so, I see no lawful reason why tonight’s Scout Picks cannot take place as normal…
The Defence
I make an uneasy start in goal with Man City’s Shay Given getting the nod. Mancini’s defence is not to be trusted but then they do face a Wigan side who has suffered from a severe case of travel sickness all season long. An edgy home win with a clean sheet looks on the cards and Given is always good for save points should Wigan up their game and provide a threat.
Tottenham’s Gareth Bale earns another call-up in my defence. His attacking potential in a left midfield role would almost be enough to warrant his selection but the fact that he faces a wounded Portsmouth side at home just reinforces his potential for returns. Investors do however need to consider that attacking returns may well be hampered by injuries to the Tottenham back four. With Corluka absent and Bassong a doubt, we could see Assou-Ekotto shifted to right-back and Bale edged back to a full-back role on the left. Even so, Bale is well worth his Picks place.
I’m struggling to see Sunderland turning up to Anfield with much ambition, although I thought the same when the paid a visit to Old Trafford earlier in the season and look what happened there. Even so, Rafa’s defence remains a solid proposition and look in a good position to return a clean sheet this gameweek. You have options here with the dependable Carragher, while Agger and Insua are good short-term options but will be under threat when Aurelio and Skrtel return from injury. If you have the cash then Glenn Johnson is your man – always a threat down the Liverpool right and building his way back up to sharpness and form for South Africa.
Everton’s Leighton Baines was one of the double gameweek’s success stories, returning a pair of clean sheets and an assist over his two games. While Everton will face a confident Wolves side at Molineux, I still like Baines in this one with his influence down the Everton left. I see Moyes’ side earning another win and either defensive or attacking returns coming the way of Baines.
The final defensive spot is a tough one with both United and Chelsea facing fixtures that could easily see them concede. In the end I’ve opted for United’s Patrice Evra, in hope that Ferguson’s men can see off the Bolton threat from set-plays. It’s a tenous one this, with few viable alternatives for defensive investment unless you’re willing to gamble on the likes of Hull or Fulham at the KC stadium or either of the Stoke or West Ham defences at Upton Park. There’s always a chance that Burnley will earn a home clean sheet at last and this frail hope has Graham Alexander, with his spot-kick threat, on my bench.
The Midfield
While Steven Gerrard got close to midfield selection this week, it’s hard to resist Cesc Fabregas. With Torres in my front line and Bendtner ignored, I’ve opted for Fabregas to cover Arsenal’s likely win at St Andrews. You don’t need me to wrattle on about Fabregas and his potential.
Chelsea’s Florent Malouda edges out teammate Lampard – he’s more than matched him for fantasy returns of late and does of course present a far cheaper option. I see Villa packing the midfield at the Bridge and so I’m not expecting Lampard to get the space and freedom to get beyond Drogba quite as easily. Malouda however could have more joy on Chelea’s left with Dunne’s possibly absence likely to see a change at right-back with Young set to come in to allow Cuellar to shift to a central role.
While Malouda’s selection is a slight risk, Hull’s Jimmy Bullard is perhaps an even bigger one. Few players from the KC stadium find their way into the Scout Picks but Bullard is the exception. Always inspirational from midfield and a set-piece hogger at free-kicks and penalties, Bullard should be key to a Hull win in Dowie’s first home game in charge against Fulham.
The final spot goes to form and has Everton’s Mikel Arteta retain his place. This was a close one – I almost plumped with Tim Cahill as a differential as I see the Aussie emerging from this game with profit. Arteta does have a monopoly on Fantasy Premier League bonus though, having earned maximum in his last four league appearances.
There were several mid-price options to sort for my reserve midfield slot. Tottenham’s Croatian duo – Modric and Kranjcar both look strong options at home to Portsmouth. Blackburn’s David Dunn could profit if Rovers continue their decent form away at Lancashire rivals Burnley; in the end though I went for Stoke’s Etherington. I see a few goals in this one, with West Ham desperate for a home win and Stoke up against a defence that should do them a few favours. Etherington will be returning to an old stamping ground and will be the main creative threat for Tony Pulis’ side.
The Forwards
Up front the selection is ridiculousy easy once again. Riches aplenty, the only conundrum is just who to back of the “unholy trinity”. It’s made easier by the fixture list and United’s Champions League comitments. While Wayne Rooney goes to the Reebok a few days before he will be called up for the Quarter-Final with Bayern Munich, both Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres have home fixtures and no Champions League looming. True enough Liverpool have a Europa League tie at Benfica on Thursday but that won’t stop Rafa throwing Torres at Sunderland on Sunday. It’s hard to imagine the Black Cat’s escaping Anfield without conceding to the in-form Spaniard.
As for Drogba he has shaken of a knee scare and will face Villa at Stamford Bridge. Not an easy proposition but a game that Ancelotti’s side should still win if they are to maintain a title tilt. Drogba, once again, looks likely to be the chief damage-dealer.
If you want options up front you can look to Pavlyuchenko for Spurs at home to a injury-ravaged Portsmouth. Fresh from a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea, its hard to see Grant’s side coming home from the Lane without conceding three or even four to a confident Spurs.
You also have an in-form Bobby Zamora to consider, although he is away from home at Hull and Fulham just aren’t consistent travellers this season. West Ham’s Carlton Cole is another name for you – surely a likely scorer if Zola’s side are going to find that elusive home win against Stoke. Then finally there’s Nicklas Bendtner of course – away at Birmingham this weekend, a ground which holds fondish memories for the Dane having spent a season on loan there a few season’s back. An Arsenal win will have to be earned but Bendtner could well be amongst the goals and assists again there.