Scout Picks – Gameweek Thirty Seven
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Paul
Just two Gameweeks to go, then. For some Fantasy managers, there’s still everything to play for, while others – perhaps stung by the previous double Gameweek – will just be glad when it’s all over, with next month’s Euro 2012 competition offering the chance of redemption. As always, we’ve knocked our heads together behind the scenes and bring you this season’s penultimate Scout Picks:
Mark Schwarzer gets the nod between the posts ahead of Fulham’s final home game of the season. While the Cottagers have been struggling for clean sheets at home in recent Gameweeks, the visit of Sunderland offers plenty hope of defensive points. Martin O’Neill’s side have scored in just one of their last five matches and have only netted in two of their previous six road trips. With Stephane Sessegnon having scored just once since Gameweek 23, Martin Jol’s side will be more than optimistic of nullifying the Black Cats’ threat.
Thomas Vermaelen’s potential at both ends of the pitch makes the Arsenal man an obvious choice. It’s easy to see why – the Belgian has three clean sheets and a goal in his last four at the Emirates and, with Norwich arriving in a poor run of form, the centre-half is afforded the chance to add to his tally of six goals already this season.
With regular pick Jonny Evans unavailable and with doubts over the right-back position, we’ve opted for Patrice Evra ahead of United’s crucial home encounter with Swansea. The top scoring Fantasy Premier League (FPL) defender thus far, the Frenchman has four clean sheets in his last five at Old Trafford and picked up an assist in his previous home game for an 11 point return. With United likely to go for the jugular, his raids from left-back could prove fruitful on Sunday afternoon.
Kyle Walker makes up the back-three. A stunning free-kick against Blackburn in the previous Gameweek suggests Walker will be afforded his fair share of set-pieces and, with a couple of clean sheets in his last five appearances, he’s been decent defensively, too. Spurs roll up to Villa Park this Sunday and, with Alex McLeish’s side scoring just once in their last four, Walker’s 13% of Fantasy owners will be confident going into this weekend’s round of fixtures.
Clint Dempsey is drafted in for his final home game of the season. The Fulham midfielder is up against a Sunderland side with just a single clean sheet in their last six road trips and, despite a three-match goalless run, has still produced attacking returns in each of his last three at the Cottage. With six double figure hauls at home already this term, the US international is a decent armband candidate for the Gameweek ahead.
A trip to relegated Wolves offers Steven Pienaar the perfect platform to continue his outstanding recent form. Six assists, two goals and eight bonus points in his last six Gameweeks highlights the South African’s potential and, with David Moyes’ side on a seven-match unbeaten run, the on-loan midfielder looks set to play a significant part in their push for the points at Molineux this Sunday.
Dropped to the subs bench as Sir Alex Ferguson rolled out a 4-5-1 for Monday’s visit to City, we’re confident of a recall for Antonio Valencia this time round. A return to 4-4-2 looks essential and United’s need for goals against Swansea is already well-documented; the Ecuadorian’s right wing menace looks vital to their chances of a substantial win over Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Rafael Van der Vaart gets the final midfield slot. As the season draws to a closer, the Dutchman shows little sign of letting up – those who drafted him in for the double Gameweek last time round were rewarded with double figure returns in each of his two appearances. Van der Vaart squares up to a Villa side with a single clean sheet in their last four home fixtures and, with Spurs pushing for a fourth place finish, looks in the mood to pick up the points yet again.
An Emirates showdown with out-of-sorts Norwich looks tailor made for Robin Van Persie. The Canaries arrive on a three-game losing streak, with 11 goals conceded in than run of fixtures – Paul Lambert’s men seem to have relaxed a little too much since sealing their top-flight survival. There’s no doubt the Dutchman has been far from his best in recent home matches – just one goal in his previous five in front of his own fans attests to that – but our faith in his ability to produce the points will never waver.
Wayne Rooney is another nailed-on pick this weekend. Perhaps surprisingly, Rooney lags way behind Van Persie in the Captain Poll, despite having far more impressive home form over the past couple of months. The United man has scored in each of his last six at Old Trafford, bagging four braces, and has returned maximum bonus in five of those six matches. With goals a necessity for the defending champions against Swansea, Rooney’s contribution will be critical.
Our faith in Everton’s potential this weekend sees Nikica Jelavic drafted in. Up against a side that have conceded 30 goals in 11 games since Terry Connor’s installation, the in-form Croatian looks in line to rack up the points at Molineux on Sunday. While his goal glut came to a temporary halt at the Britannia on Tuesday, Jelavic had grabbed two goals in each of last three prior to the Stoke encounter – a game against Wolves looks the ideal opportunity for the January signing to find the net yet again.
David Wheater settles for a place on the bench ahead of a home clash with West Brom. While his goal threat from set-piece could trouble the Baggies back-line, the prospect of defensive returns looks decent. Roy Hodgson’s side have scored just twice in their last five away games and, with Peter Odemwingie a doubt due to a hamstring problem, a clean sheet could well be on the cards for Owen Coyle’s side.
Victor Moses was just edged out of the first XI this weekend. Wigan arrive at Ewood Park next Monday knowing a win would all but seal their survival bid and the 5.3 priced winger has been crucial to their recent run of five wins in the last seven Gameweeks. Having notched a brace and 16 point FPL return against in-form Newcastle last time out, our Victor is clearly a man in demand – more than 52,000 Fantasy managers have already drafted him in this week, more than any other player.
We’ve gone for a differential for the final spot in the form of Kevin Davies. Back in the Trotters’ starting line-up, Davies proved his worth in the previous double Gameweek with a two-goal, 15 point return. With a home win vital if Bolton are to boost their chances of beating the drop, their skipper’s contribution will be key this Sunday as West Brom roll up to the Reebok.
About The Author
paul
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Recent Comments
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"Hull"/"Safe harbour" ;-) » -
http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2013/05/21/ffs-shield-the-final-result/comment-page-2/#comment-5856158 » -
Hopefully 4.5. Bit worried your boys could get the Swansea/Newcastle defence inflation and be 5m. » -
So it was. Jeez. :-| »
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Got to be right sometime. ;) » -
Previous article, I guess around page 2/3. There's not many pages to look through. »
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Replied last p - Tw » -
Now I'm thinking "lamb and ratatouille". » -
We said that, THIS Season ... :-? »
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25 »
“I love to attack and I love to go up front...It is a little more difficult than when you are playing centre-back. If you play the way that I want to play, I think my influence is better as a left-back. For the team, it is best that I play as a centre-back. I like to bring the ball out. You need to move the game quickly, and that is one of my qualities as well.”
Jan Vertonghen outlines what he feels is his best position for Andre Villas-Boas
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May 4 at 6:14 pm
Yards Better. says:
How’s Cisse not got a place, what does he have to do?!
May 4 at 6:17 pm
Nibbsy says:
Not be playing against City, I guess.
May 4 at 6:17 pm
Demi says:
Doubt people will be buying him in droves for Man city and Everton away.
May 4 at 6:17 pm
Hate that rotation says:
He is unlucky, just the fixtures of these three are too good and Davies is your differential.
May 4 at 6:15 pm
thobe230 says:
test (smiley face wearing sunglasses)
May 4 at 6:15 pm
thobe230 says:
Damn
May 4 at 6:16 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
You mean 8) ?
May 4 at 6:16 pm
thobe230 says:
(cool smiley face)
May 4 at 6:17 pm
thobe230 says:
I´m done
May 4 at 6:17 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
8) It’s 8 + ) without the spaces so it’ll be 8 ) without the space.
May 4 at 6:19 pm
thobe230 says:
8)
May 4 at 6:19 pm
thobe230 says:
Haha nice one!
May 4 at 6:21 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
8) Nice.
May 4 at 6:16 pm
Messimerized says:
8)
May 4 at 8:00 pm
BigJacksWallet says:
8)
May 4 at 6:15 pm
Henry Hill says:
I have one transfer and 0.9 in bank, thinking I need United cover this weekend. Is it worth a hit to get Rooney in for Aguero and Maloney in for Siggy? This is my team, thanks all
Mignolet Schwarzer
Kompany Vermaelen Caulker Evans Kaboul
Bale McLean Sigurdsson Dempsey Valencia
Van Persie Aguero Cisse
May 4 at 6:15 pm
Bemba Da says:
Rooney or cisse?
May 4 at 6:16 pm
asyrafdanial says:
Risse…
May 4 at 6:17 pm
Bemba Da says:
john arne riise? not a bad shout
May 4 at 6:18 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Geordies !! says:
May 4 at 6:19 pm
The Duck's Vaj says:
Are Suarez and Terry your favourite players. hope they argue at Wembley about who is the most racist!
May 4 at 6:32 pm
colonel shoe says:
careful the other choice is cooney
May 4 at 6:17 pm
Yes the Sess! says:
Early picks tonight. Have 6.
May 4 at 6:18 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
Same.
May 4 at 6:19 pm
Messimerized says:
Have Only 2.
May 4 at 6:19 pm
Hate that rotation says:
7 for me.
May 4 at 6:23 pm
The Giggs Boson says:
7 + Moses
May 4 at 6:27 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
8 for me
May 4 at 6:28 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
Hello County boy.
May 4 at 6:33 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
May 4 at 6:32 pm
jkisthe1 says:
5 for me
6 if you swap Moses for Maloney and 7 if you swap Valencia for Nani
May 4 at 6:18 pm
little_wizard123 says:
Not taken a hit for ages, but got some catching up to do.
A) Caulker, McClean and Adebayor -> Vermaelen, Nani, Hernandez (-8)
B) Caulker, Adebayor -> Vermaelen, Rooney (-4)
B) Caulker, McClean -> Vermaelen, Nani (-4)
I could always take the Caulker transfer away, but no Evans, Simpson being a doubt and horrible fixtures make things, well, horrible…
May 4 at 6:29 pm
fantasykid says:
B
May 4 at 6:18 pm
Phaze 1 says:
8(9) if you count Bale and VDV and similar picks. Now just gotta hope they do the business
May 4 at 6:19 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Geordies !! says:
Who’re the best 3 defenders to have for this GW ? Thanks.
May 4 at 6:19 pm
Bemba Da says:
verm, evra, sagna
May 4 at 6:20 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Geordies !! says:
Cheers mate. Thanks.
May 4 at 6:20 pm
Hate that rotation says:
Probably the three in the scout picks. Hibbert if you need a budget def.
May 4 at 6:26 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Geordies !! says:
Cheers. Thanks
May 4 at 6:22 pm
Messimerized says:
See Scout Picks.
May 4 at 6:19 pm
Mike says:
Bit of advice would be greatly appreciated please.
3point lead in ML.
my team for this week
Migs (Krul)
Verm, Komp, Kelly (Evans, simpson)
Valencia, demps, VDV, pienar (siggs)
Cisse Jelly RVP (c)
his team
Krul(Vorm)
Verm, Komp, Evans, BAE, Simps
Valencia, bale, VDV, lamps, siggs
Cisse, jelly Rooney
He has used i free I think for a defender as he only had two playing.
I have one free,not sure what to do, thinking goalie?
HELP!!
May 4 at 6:22 pm
Mike says:
no help?
May 4 at 6:27 pm
Mike says:
anyone?
May 4 at 6:28 pm
Marouane Assou- Ekotto says:
Please check your old post of this. 2 people included myself commented. At least have the decency to read the old posts before re-posting like this and repeatedly asking for help.
May 4 at 6:26 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
I’d get rid of Evans. Maybe for Smalling?
May 4 at 6:28 pm
Mike says:
I wouldn’t play him over verm, komp or kelly though!
May 4 at 6:33 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
I’d definitely play him over Komp, else double up on fulham with Schwarzer.
May 4 at 6:34 pm
ksmith5666 says:
With 6.4 in the bank you could go Cisse to Rooney to cover him off. He will more than likely captain Rooney. No point in wasting your FT on a keeper.
May 4 at 6:19 pm
moment says:
Need a keeper for the final two weeks; having stuck with Vorm week in week out, I’m going to abandon him now. Schwarzer or Al-Habs?
May 4 at 6:31 pm
Sly Fly says:
I’m going Habs
May 4 at 6:20 pm
Feanor says:
Bench Sessegnon or Sigurdsson?
May 4 at 6:20 pm
Bemba Da says:
sess
May 4 at 6:21 pm
SuperDunny says:
What to do this week?
A – Cisse > Rooney
B – Sigurdsson > Moses
C – Sigurdsson > Nani
D – McClean > Valencia/Young
E – Nothing
May 4 at 6:22 pm
Messimerized says:
D
May 4 at 6:23 pm
tangtastic says:
I’d keep Sig for Liv at home. He can return pts in that fixture imo.
I’d do A or D (Valencia).
May 4 at 6:21 pm
Aditya says:
Worth doin -8 for Suarez>Chicharito..
May 4 at 6:23 pm
Phaze 1 says:
Cannot be serious
May 4 at 6:23 pm
Messimerized says:
No.
May 4 at 6:25 pm
Aditya says:
Cheers…i just got Valencia..worried with utd scoring goals and esp Rooney.
May 4 at 6:21 pm
royals forever says:
What do youbthink the %chance of Hernandez starting and how many points will he get
May 4 at 6:22 pm
URINDANGER - Blue moon rising says:
75%
6 – 10 pre baps
May 4 at 6:22 pm
URINDANGER - Blue moon rising says:
Tekkers, I have the Scoutpicks midfield!!!!
Other than that, I only have VP the same though
May 4 at 6:23 pm
URINDANGER - Blue moon rising says:
OH wait, and Kevin Davies!!!
May 4 at 6:22 pm
tangtastic says:
8 out of 14.
I’M FCKED :’(
May 4 at 6:23 pm
Hate that rotation says:
Scout picks have been killing recently, you should be happy.
May 4 at 6:24 pm
tangtastic says:
I haven’t been reading them that much tbh. I’ll take your word for it.
WOOHOOO!!!! 8)
May 4 at 6:24 pm
Mark says:
It’s the traditional reaction!
May 4 at 6:27 pm
Back to Back Ballacks says:
Get ur ass into the studio and entertain me
May 4 at 6:28 pm
Mark says:
I know, I feel bad. Been very hectic round these parts – working with Ed on some nice stuff though so the fruits of my labour will be revealed soon.
Back in the studio next week – I promised Granville. He got a bit grumpy.
May 4 at 6:34 pm
Back to Back Ballacks says:
Good stuff, looking fwd to it,
“very hectic” = counting up to 158 and checking overall rank every 3 minutes!
May 4 at 6:28 pm
ajay_kl says:
kinky
May 4 at 6:27 pm
Gotta catch em all! says:
Why though? Have never understood that one
May 4 at 6:28 pm
Aditya says:
Mark no scoutcast for this GW? any reason why there isn’t one?
May 4 at 6:29 pm
Mark says:
I had to cover the baby minding while my other half attended a funeral so the studio slot had to be canned. Apologies – I’ll definitely be back for next week to rub my domination into Granville.
That sounded wrong.
May 4 at 6:30 pm
Aditya says:
Oh..no worries Mark..ever entertaining!
May 4 at 6:23 pm
Mike says:
7 for me
May 4 at 6:24 pm
LarryMurphy says:
So tempted to captain Jelavic because I’m chasing a biggish lead.. but RVP vs Norwich..
May 4 at 6:35 pm
colonel shoe says:
go with gut dude
May 4 at 6:24 pm
George Agdgdgwngo says:
Worth getting a man u midfielder in for a 4 point hit?
A. Nani
B. Valencia
C. Young
D. None, don’t take the hit
Currently 23 points ahead in my mini league
May 4 at 6:32 pm
The Giggs Boson says:
If you don’t have Rooney then Yes imo. I’d bring in Nani personally but if you want the safer scout pick, go Valencia.
May 4 at 6:37 pm
jkisthe1 says:
I brought in Nani this week if it helps. Who would you take out though?
May 4 at 6:24 pm
Marouane Assou- Ekotto says:
Who’d be better for BOTH weeks, RVP or Rooney? Main rival has Rooney and I’m around 3 points behind.
May 4 at 6:25 pm
Back to Back Ballacks says:
Scoutcast later?
May 4 at 6:25 pm
hillbillypete: Don't ya wish your right back was Kieran Lee says:
suprised the scout has gone for Valencia and not Nani.
i was pondering Bale to Nani……..(already have VDV)
May 4 at 6:27 pm
Hate that rotation says:
It’s quite tough to predict who will be in the Utd midfield. Valencia is safer.
May 4 at 6:30 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
And it was blatantly obvious that Valencia shouldn’t have been benched against City so surely Fergie noticed that. He will be back with a bang.
May 4 at 6:26 pm
Nopli-Unleashthedrog says:
How is my team going to fare in the coming week?
Friedel
Terry Evra Caulker
Mata Valencia Petrov Sess
Jelavic RVP Pog
I already took a 4 point hit this week to go in RVP and Evra.
Points Prediction?
May 4 at 6:27 pm
Nopli-Unleashthedrog says:
get*
May 4 at 6:26 pm
adziom says:
One free transfer, is it worth doing Krul to Schwarzer? I’m quite happy with the rest of my side
Vermaelen Hibbert McAuley
Petrov Bale Pienaar (V) Valencia
RVP Rooney (C) Cisse
Subs – Vorm, Sigurdsson, Simpson, Evans
May 4 at 6:28 pm
Mac says:
7 picks plus Kelly and Kaboul.
Hope you have as good a week as last week with the picks.
May 4 at 6:29 pm
connorhearn says:
A) Cisse —–> Rvp
B) Evans —-> Spurs defender
C) Both (4 pt hit)
Thanks.
May 4 at 6:31 pm
Chris_White says:
B)
May 4 at 6:29 pm
Jibble says:
Chaps, who to bench from from this front 8? Much obliged.
VDV, Dempsey, Valencia, Pienaar, Moses
RVP, Aguero, Jelavic
May 4 at 6:31 pm
Chris_White says:
Moses
May 4 at 6:34 pm
jkisthe1 says:
well the scout picks went with those 5 and benched Moses.
Make of that what you will
May 4 at 6:29 pm
Chris_White says:
Evening lads.
Krul or Migs?
My only remaining issue (Leaving the captain debate dead as for now…)
May 4 at 6:34 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Krul
May 4 at 6:30 pm
Access says:
Rooney or jelavic going for -4 hit
May 4 at 6:31 pm
Chris_White says:
Rooney
May 4 at 6:33 pm
the Penman says:
Wow, I have 6 Scout picks. This never happens.