The hectic Easter schedule is almost upon us, with the deadline only four hours away. While readying ourselves for the Swansea – Newcastle game later on this afternoon, we’ve whittled down our selections to bring you the first set of picks this weekend, with United and Chelsea both prominent in our thinking…
We’ve opted for Asmir Begovic between the sticks ahead of Stoke’s home game with Wolves. While there’s always a slight doubt over Tony Pulis’ penchant for goalkeeper rotation, Begovic looks assured of a spot right now; pitching in with a series of strong performance since returning to the Potters’ first XI in Gameweek 26, he’s conceded a single goal in three home games since replacing Thomas Sorensen. With Wolves looking more like relegation fodder by the week, Begovic’s chance of another clean sheet look more than a little promising.
Jonny Evans maintains his spot in the Scout Picks once again with a home game against QPR on the horizon this Sunday. The centre-half seems to be picking up points from all angles recently; at the back, United now have four consecutive clean sheets, while going forward, Evans has a goal and assist in the last four. When it comes to bonus, he’s excelled of late, producing in each of his last three fixtures. With a single league goal conceded at Old Trafford this calendar year, the points look set to continue.
With John Terry hampered by a rib injury, we’re drafting in Gary Cahill for mid-price coverage of the Chelsea defence. Cahill climbed off the bench to replace Terry in the midweek Champions League win over Benfica, suggesting that, while David Luiz was afforded the full 90 minutes, Roberto Di Matteo’s intention was to keep the former Bolton man refreshed for the weekend. The Blues have three back-to-back clean sheets at the Bridge and, with confidence brimming after their midweek triumph, should have enough to see off the in-form Latics.
Leighton Baines gets the nod ahead of Everton’s trip to Norwich tomorrow afternoon. With consecutive clean sheets in addition to maximum bonus points in his last two, the left-back is picking up in form over the final quarter of the season and has now established his place at the top of the defenders charts yet again. With spot-kicks and set-piece duties in the bag, Baines is difficult to overlook for the Carrow Road encounter despite his price tag.
Providing he’s fit and available, Antonio Valencia practically picks himself these days. The right winger has been instrumental in United’s return to the top of the table, with a series of swashbuckling displays on the right flank racking up the points with remarkable consistency. Likely to up against the questionable defensive qualities of Adel Taarabt and Taye Taiwo on the QPR left, Valencia is afforded the opportunity to run amok once again on Easter Sunday.
Gylfi Sigurdsson gets the nod ahead of this afternoon’s home showdown with Newcastle. An incredible average of 6.5 points per game – the highest of any midfielder – is indicative of the Icelandic star’s impact since arriving on loan at the Liberty Stadium and, with Alan Pardew’s side picking up one away clean sheet in their last six, Sigurdsson is the man most likely to make the difference against the Magpies, as the Swans look to bounce back from a couple of recent defeats.
Juan Mata hasn’t been the most explosive Fantasy player this season. The Spaniard has produced double figure points hauls and picked up bonus points on just three occasions respectively but, over the last few Gameweeks, he’s seen an upturn in consistency. With attacking returns in five of his last eight appearances, the former Valencia man seems a solid pick ahead of Wigan’s visit to the Bridge. There’s possibly the threat of rotation hanging over his head but with three points essential in their quest to finish fourth, we reckon Roberto Di Matteo can ill-afford to leave out his midfield maestro against the Latics.
A recent return from suspension has seen Stephane Sessegnon hit the ground running. The Benin international’s creative spark up front has helped bolster a previously insipid Sunderland attack, with the Black Cats putting three past QPR and City in back-to-back Gameweeks. With his two assists at the Etihad still fresh in the mind, Sessegnon will be brimming with confidence as he hunts for his fourth home double figure return this weekend, as Spurs roll up to the Stadium of Light.
Peter Odemwingie is called up ahead of a home clash with Blackburn Rovers. The Nigerian has recently moved from the flank and returned to a more central attacking role as Roy Hodgson shuffles his up front options and, with the visitors chalking up a single away clean sheet all season, is afforded the chance of a return to goalscoring ways after a recent drought.
Wayne Rooney gets the nod as QPR roll up to Old Trafford. Victory over Mark Hughes’ outfit will send United eight points clear before City play Arsenal later on Sunday afternoon and Rooney – the runaway leader in the Captain Poll – has home form firmly on his side, with a couple of double figure returns in his last three home games.
There no question he’s been out of sorts in recent Gameweeks. Three games without a goal is a season-high drought for Robin Van Persie but with Arsenal set to host travel-sick City in the final match of the Gameweek on Sunday afternoon, our confidence in the Gunners skipper remains as strong as ever, as he looks to add to his ten double figure returns already this season.
On the bench we’ve opted to cover Bolton’s potential at home to Fulham, with Martin Petrov in midfield and David Wheater in defence – both are kind on the budget, have strong form and will carry the fight to Fulham from set-plays. Up front, our reserve striker spot was up for grabs but, in the end, we opted for the potential offered by Daniel Sturridge. He was back in the goals at Villa park last time out and was kept on the bench in Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Benfica – a start against the Wigan defence looks on the cards, then.
