Scout Picks- Gameweek Nineteen
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Sir Paulos
This week’s a tricky one. As the previous gameweek has shown, rest and rotation are biting hard right now and picking an XI is always going to be filled with uncertainty at this time of year. After much behind the scenes deliberation, the Scout Picks Selection Committee has weighed up the options and brings you our choices for the gameweek ahead..
Ben Foster gets the nod between the sticks after a recent upturn in form in the West Brom camp. Roy Hodgson’s side were the first team this season to deny Man City a goal last time out and with Foster only having to make four saves against the league leaders, the performances of the players in front of him are clearly making life a little easier. Everton are next up at the Hawthorns and with just three goals in their last five games, David Moyes’ side may find it tricky to break down the resilient Baggies.
Thomas Vermaelen offers a chance of points at both ends of the pitch this week as Arsenal play host to QPR. The Gunners defender is having to play at left-back right now but it hasn’t extinguished his attacking threat, with Vermaelen picking up bonus against Wolves due to his shots on target. With just two points from their last six fixtures, Neil Warnock’s side are expected to struggle at the Emirates.
Subject of this morning’s Watchlist, John Terry makes his way into the Scout Picks. Chelsea are up against an Aston Villa side that have been dire in front of goal over the last couple of months. The Midlands outfit have scored just three goals in the last seven games, failing to find the net on five of those occasions. With Terry also proving to be a substantial goal threat this season, the Blues skipper may be lined up for a prosperous New Year’s Eve.
Phil Jones is our third and final defender in a 3-4-3 formation. The summer signing from Blackburn looks set to recover from illness in time to face his former side and, whether at the back or in midfield, has already shown he’s capable of picking up attacking returns. With United recording 7 clean sheets in their last nine matches, his chances of defensive points look particularly plausible, too.
Nani may have failed to get amongst the points in Man United’s recent demolition of Wigan but recent weeks have seen the winger return to the explosive form of last term. With Blackburn decimated by injuries, he’s likely to play a pivotal part in tormenting Steve Kean’s basement dwellers this New Year’s Eve. Withdrawn after the hour mark against the Latics, his place in the United starting XI looks assured as the champions look for the victory that would, temporarily at least, return them to the top of the table before City travel to Sunderland the following day.
Gareth Bale’s performances, whether out wide or in his new central role in a 4-2-3-1, have returned the Fantasy points regardless this season. A brace at Norwich, followed by the inevitable three bonus points, was the sixth time this term he’s returned a double-figure haul and with Spurs currently bristling with attacking menace, a visit to Swansea looks enticing.
After a slow start to the season, Matt Etherington has come to prominence for Stoke once again. The winger has notched a couple of goals, an assist and picked up maximum bonus in two of his last three appearances. Having been rested for the trip to Man City in gameweek 17, Etherington will be fresher than most of the Potters first XI for the visit of Wigan.
We’re sticking our neck out with the selection of Adam Johnson. With Man City set for a hectic next few weeks, with a Carling Cup semi-final against Liverpool and FA Cup clash with United on the horizon, Roberto Mancini will be keen to utilise his squad as much as possible. With the leaders heading to Sunderland on Sunday, we reckon he’s in line for call up to the first XI and, when granted the chance by the Italian, Johnson has produced the goods, with three goals in his last three starts.
Arsene Wenger has warned he is considering resting Robin Van Persie over the festive period but after last Tuesday’s draw with Wolves, the Gunners are in need of the points. The Dutchman may have failed to fire against Mick McCarthy’s side but even if afforded just a sub appearance, he’s shown before he’s more than capable of picking up the points. Given Wenger’s comments it may be considered a risk to plump for Van Persie in the Scout Picks, but we feel it’s far more of a risk not to have him on board.
Having been rested for the game against Wigan, it seems almost certain Wayne Rooney will be back to lead the line for Man United. Prior to the game against the Latics, Rooney has netted in each of his last four games, with his appetite for goals once again apparent. Given their recent back-to-back 5-0 triumphs, the home game against Blackburn may afford United, and Rooney, the chance for yet another goal feast.
Daniel Sturridge gets the nod over Juan Mata ahead of Chelsea’s home clash with Villa. Sturridge has proven to be the better “value” player of the pair thus far, returning 82 points to Mata’s 80, despite being 2.4 cheaper. A rare blank against Fulham last Monday brought to an end a run that had seen him score or assist in each of the previous six fixtures and with Andre Villas-Boas’ side looking to bounce back from three consecutive draws, their top scorer could be the difference between three points and further disappointment.
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“Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season.”
Sir Paulos @ffscout_paulos
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December 30 at 6:50 pm
yash says:
when is the deadline?
December 30 at 6:50 pm
DV8R says:
7:45pm
December 30 at 6:50 pm
Bemba Da says:
7:30 Tonight
December 30 at 6:51 pm
skins1979 says:
Hi all. Thoughts on captain choice out of Rooney, rvp, Nani or bale?
December 30 at 6:52 pm
markieffm says:
Hmmmm….. Nani with Rooney vc
December 30 at 7:01 pm
nixsy says:
if Rooney was guaranteed 90 I’d go with him but probably safer nani
December 30 at 6:53 pm
rejects 11 says:
Rooney to kill it. No question about that.
December 30 at 6:55 pm
skins1979 says:
I thinking that too
December 30 at 6:53 pm
markieffm says:
Lost on last page
Got 2FT and need Bale. Also seemingly a bit short in defence.. (Enrique walker Simpson Evans brown)
1. Silva to Bale
2. Silva to Bale & Brown to Jagielka
3. Silva to bale & Evans to Jones
4. Nani to bale & Sinclair to Valencia
December 30 at 6:58 pm
Bemba Da says:
2.
December 30 at 7:00 pm
markieffm says:
Thanks. Just done silva to bale. Gonna save my other for next week so have 2 x free to get Bains and drenthe in… Sweet!!! Fingers crossed!!!
December 30 at 6:53 pm
DV8R says:
8 point hit for this?
Silva -> Bale
Sinclair -> Adam Johnson
Ba -> Sturridge
December 30 at 6:55 pm
markieffm says:
No point. Just do silva to bale.
Sinclair and Ba may just smash it
December 30 at 6:55 pm
Evans' Calf Ruined My Plans says:
NUFCOfficial
#NUFC v #lfc (4-4-1-1): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini (c), R.Taylor; Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez; Vuckic; Ba. #newcastle #epl
December 30 at 6:56 pm
Evans' Calf Ruined My Plans says:
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Adam, Henderson, Spearing, Downing, Carroll, Bellamy.
Subs: Doni, Maxi, Kuyt, Gerrard, Carragher, Shelvey, Kelly.
December 30 at 6:56 pm
HYENA says:
NUFC
Krul
Simpson Williamson Collocini taylor
Guttieriez Cabaye Tiote Obertan
Vuckic Ba
December 30 at 6:58 pm
Chekhov says:
No Ben Arfa!
December 30 at 6:58 pm
tommys says:
Having a serious captain headache help me out
Bale (Swa)
Silva (Sun)
Rooney (Bla)
Sturridge (Avl)
Adebayor (Swa)
December 30 at 7:01 pm
markieffm says:
Rooney or bale
December 30 at 7:03 pm
nixsy says:
Rooney out of those
December 30 at 10:06 pm
premier says:
Adebayor has two games in a single gameweek so he will defo be my captain.
December 30 at 6:59 pm
HYENA says:
Go Rooney
December 30 at 7:01 pm
tommys says:
rooneys wearing the armband at the mo but why is adebayor appealing ?
December 30 at 10:09 pm
premier says:
He has two games (due to the London riots ) in gameweek 20, I have used my 2 FT for Tottenham defenders also due to this.
December 30 at 7:10 pm
Belli2007 says:
Not going into this gameweek in a good shape defensively.
Vorm(Krul)
Enrique/Simpson/Naylor(Evans/Wilkinson)
Have already done Adam to Bale for my FT (on account of Adam being worst buy of the season 2 weeks ago). Don’t like taking hits in defenders but considering, thoughts would be welcome on the below:
A) 4pt hit on Wilko to Shotton?
B) Play as above. Possibly switch Vorm to Krul as have Ade and Bale.
C) Something else>
December 30 at 7:14 pm
Beavis says:
B but start Wilkinson instead of Simpson and Evans instead of Naylor just in case they play.
December 30 at 7:17 pm
Soggysock says:
Is that Wilkinson who hasn’t played for a while?
December 30 at 7:18 pm
Belli2007 says:
Yes, was starting and then got injured.
December 30 at 7:24 pm
Soggysock says:
Good news, I’ve got Wilko but was going to play De Laet and hope for more points than Pilkinson and Drenthe!
December 30 at 7:26 pm
Belli2007 says:
This was my thought but risk of Wilko coming on for a cameo
December 30 at 7:12 pm
NeilPerry says:
SO, whaddya reckon? I know my team looks pretty out of place due to the notable lack of RVP, Silva, Rooney, Nani but I’ve tried to see how many points I can get with as few transfers as possible, only made 9 so far (not used wildcard)
Friedel
Coloccini ~ Vermaelen (C) ~ Kompany ~ Cole
Etherington ~ Toure ~ Sinclair ~ Bale (V)
Welbeck ~ Adebayor
With subs as Larsson ~ Samba ~ Agbonlahor
December 30 at 7:15 pm
Epicfail FC says:
Captain: Adebayor, RVP, Sturridge, Nani or Bale?
December 30 at 7:16 pm
Soggysock says:
Tricky but who’s going to get the most points out of De Laet, Pilkinton, or Drenthe?
December 30 at 7:22 pm
highlanderfil says:
Drenthe.
December 30 at 7:18 pm
bluemoon05 says:
Any ideas for captain, not sure about RVP. It’s out of
RVP
Bale
Adebayor
Silva
Etherington (Wigan at home)
December 30 at 7:22 pm
jaxx24 says:
Sturridge for captain? Yes I think I will!!!
December 30 at 7:23 pm
4-4-who? says:
Valencia (c) – major differential – bring it on!!!
December 30 at 7:23 pm
Hyperion says:
Play Vorm or Al-Habsi this week?
December 30 at 10:23 pm
premier says:
Vorm without a doubt, I know Wigan have previous good form against Sunderland, but the AVL SWA game will be a close call, even 0 – 0.
If you have any free transfers I would go for Friedel because Tottenham have two games this week which would mean double points and they have a better run of games coming up than Wigan, if not the best run of all the teams.
December 30 at 7:29 pm
Taarabt says:
Henderson(lined-up) Or Ben Arfa (Benched) ??? Help Please!
December 30 at 8:13 pm
RVP4CPT says:
Either a Ba goal or, at worst, an assist. Good start. Ba points and Enrique cleanie gone.
December 30 at 8:36 pm
Sergio Giorgini says:
I’d take this current score
December 30 at 9:01 pm
jamie19 says:
what you reckon…Got BAE and bale only for the spuds/everton double bubble lads. Worth doing Enrique to Walker as my freebie or Walters to Osman/Drenthe? Or… just be satisfied with what i have and stop moaning? Current team is…
vorm(krul)
BAE/kom/enrique(simpson,mCauley)
nani/bale/sess/walters(tiote)
RVP/rooney/studge. 1ft and 1.3 in the bank…
December 30 at 10:37 pm
premier says:
I would swap krul for friedel I can see at least one clean sheet, and keep him, Tot have a great run of games coming up.
December 31 at 2:14 am
nadman89 says:
tott always seem to concede though id rather get a cheap goalie and up the mids get rid of tiote