Scout Picks – Gameweek 5
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Paul
After a Gameweek that many will be happy to scrap from memory, we’re ready to go again. It’s a tricky one this week – with City hosting Arsenal and United travelling to Liverpool, we draft in just one player from the Manchester duo in our 4-4-2 formation. Let’s hope rest and rotation doesn’t bite quite so hard this time round again:
With a clean sheet in both his home games so far and three in the first four Gameweeks, Jussi Jaaskelainen gets the nod between the sticks. The West Ham stopper welcomes Sunderland to Upton Park tomorrow afternoon and with plenty of save points already registered, Jaaskelainen is afforded the chance to extend his lead at the top of the FPL keeper standings.
We’ve opted for the marauding Branislav Ivanovic at the back ahead of a home clash against Stoke. With two goals and three clean sheets under his belt already, the Chelsea right-back has been the top-scoring Fantasy defender to date – an average of nine FPL points per game sums up the Serbian’s current form.
Gareth McAuley is handed a place in the Scout Picks on the back of West Brom’s home form. It’s two games, two clean sheets for Steve Clarke’s side so far at the Hawthorns, with the Baggies maintaining the defensive home resolve that stood them in good stead in the latter part of last season. McAuley’s attacking threat has already produced a goal and assist for his Fantasy owners and with the Royals struggling for form, he could be set to prosper.
Leighton Baines earns a place in our thoughts with a trip to Swansea on Everton’s agenda. Having opened his scoring account last Monday against Newcastle, the left-back continued his strong start to the Fantasy season; despite a single clean sheet in the first four, Baines has still managed to return 26 FPL points thus far – summing up both his offensive potential and suitability to the EA SPORTS PPI scoring system. With spot-kicks and set-pieces firmly in his locker, he’s been drafted in by significant numbers of Fantasy managers ahead of tomorrow lunchtime’s early kick-off.
Jan Vertonghen is our final defender. We’re prepared to take a gamble here – no attacking returns or clean sheets after four matches is hardly cause for optimism but the Belgian is sure to come good as he settles into Andre Villas-Boas’ first XI. Spurs returned a midweek clean sheet in the Europa League clash against Lazio – finally, their summer signings are slowly starting to gel and Vertonghen’s eye for goal may help him pick up the points at both ends of the pitch against injury-hit QPR at the Lane this Sunday.
Runaway leader in the Captain Poll, Eden Hazard is a nailed-on pick. The Belgian has accrued 38% of the votes cast so far – a sign of the Fantasy faith in the Belgian as he squares up to Stoke at the Bridge. With three double figure returns in his first four appearances, his trickery is set to torment Tony Pulis’ Potters from start to finish as Chelsea look to bounce back from last weekend’s draw at QPR.
Kevin Nolan’s Upton Park heroics have already been crucial to West Ham’s cause. With Andy Carroll still injured, the Hammers skipper is set to carry the main goal threat to Sunderland side almost certain to be devoid of Carlos Cuellar at the back – a goal in each of his two home games highlights Nolan’s mid-price potential.
Having been rested for Newcastle’s Europa League exertions last night, Hatem Ben Arfa will be fit and raring to go for Sunday’s visit of Norwich. Similar to Nolan, the Frenchman has also notched in both his home matches and has been drafted in by huge number of Fantasy managers ahead of the Canaries showdown. With Papiss Cisse continuing to misfire and Demba Ba unsettled, Ben Arfa’s contribution could be the difference against a stubborn Norwich defence that has conceded just twice in the last three games.
There’s no way we can leave out Michu. Granted, he drew a blank last time round against Villa but four goals in the opening four Gameweeks highlights his form right now. Handed the home comforts of a Liberty clash against Everton, the Swansea man may be set to plunder the points again as Michael Laudrup’s joint-top scorers look to return to winning ways.
A trip to Liverpool is not the type of game Sir Alex Ferguson can afford to rest Robin Van Persie for. Dropped to the bench last time out with United’s Champions League match against Galatasaray in mind, the Dutchman looks nailed-on to start at Anfield. As always, our faith in Van Persie is unwavering ahead of Sunday lunchtime’s kick-off.
Three goals and an assist in his opening four is enough to earn Jermain Defoe. With Emmanuel Adebayor ruled out of last night’s Europa League match with Lazio due to a hamstring problem, Defoe seems set to continue up front for Spurs as Andre Villas-Boas looks to engineer his first home victory as QPR roll up to the Lane.
Steven Taylor makes the bench as Newcastle welcome Norwich to the Sports Direct Arena. The Magpies will be buoyed by their comeback draw at Goodison last Monday and can be expected to take the game to a Norwich side that has scored just twice in the opening four Gameweeks under Chris Hughton. The chances of a home clean sheet look strong here.
James Morrison warms the Scout Picks bench for the second Gameweek in a row. The West Brom midfielder welcomes Reading to the Hawthorns and has already returned a goal and assist for his Fantasy owners – with eight goals conceded in their first three and without a clean sheet, the Royals defence could be there for the taking as Steve Clarke looks to rack up a third straight home win.
Watchlist candidate Rickie Lambert earns the final bench slot. Goals against City and United in the opening four are indicative of his ability to produce in the top-flight – Southampton are in dire need of a win at home to Villa and with spot-kick duties and a share of direct free-kicks in his locker, Lambert looks the man most likely to fire the Saints to victory.
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September 22 at 12:28 am
Gimli son of Gloin says:
Ok, Jaask or Foster?
Have Demel, no McCauley, assuming Foster yeah?
September 22 at 12:36 am
CarlosKillface says:
whats the rest of ur defence?
September 22 at 7:38 am
Natster | The Shuffling says:
Based on the given info, yes – Foster.
September 22 at 12:32 am
CarlosKillface says:
RMT me up yo?
beg jask
clyne (cuellar) baines davies (gorkass)
corz (malony) hazard dyer nolan
tez berb rvp.
3.1m inth bank.
should i take a hit to get gibbs(long term)? or is ther anythin else anyone can suggest? i feel its missing somthing but i cant put my finger on it (thats what she said)
September 22 at 12:36 am
CarlosKillface says:
dont know who to C aswel
September 22 at 12:39 am
masyuris says:
Please advise:
Clark or Lowton ??
Will Clark still in starting XI if Richard Dunne recover his injury ??
September 22 at 12:55 am
Deicide88 says:
Foster
Federici
Cuellar
Demel
Baines
Ridgewell
Clyne
McClean
Yaya Toure
Hazard
Michu
Guthrie
Tevez
Berbatov
Van Persie
Who should I give the armband to? Tevez, Robin or Hazard?
Also, i need suggestions
I’ll dump Lescott for Ridgwell (biggest priority)
Now,
who instead Cuellar and federici?
Please, thanks in advance
September 22 at 1:21 am
I Love Lamp says:
Jussi
Clyne Rafael Ivanovic
Hazard Dyer BenArfa Noble Santi
RVP Tevez
Federici Petric Hughes Clark
Worth saving the transfer this week?
September 22 at 7:38 am
Samarth_A says:
One of the best team. You may want to get rid of Dyer as soon as possible.
September 22 at 1:51 am
Kobra says:
Defence suggestons please.
GK: Jaask, Foster
Def: Demel, Reid, Gibbs, Baines, McAuley
Which GK and three def to choose?
September 22 at 3:09 am
Hapless Hat-Tricks says:
Foster
Baines, McAuley, Reid
September 22 at 1:55 am
nazrijack says:
I have Hazard, RVP, BenArfa..who should i captain? learning towards HBA..
September 22 at 3:14 am
Ansontkc says:
hazard
September 22 at 7:40 am
Natster | The Shuffling says:
Believe your gut..
September 22 at 2:05 am
Bang Bang 0-0 says:
So, traditionally fulham is weak on the road.
still jump to Berba’s bandwagon?
September 22 at 5:25 am
Aris says:
He will score a few even when playing away, but his next home match is vs Man City though.
September 22 at 8:02 am
Bang Bang 0-0 says:
Actually I left some cash to buyback RVP/Torres, united’s fixture sucks..
September 22 at 3:16 am
Ansontkc says:
who should i choose? 2 from ( nolan, morrison and dyer)
September 22 at 3:32 am
JAMJAM88 says:
Morrison (plays almost as a striker)/ Dyer (movements in the box always draw penalties)
September 22 at 4:23 am
manu4life says:
I have a quick question? Which is the better option Yaya or K. Nolan?
Here’s my team btw:
J. Cesar
W. Reid, C. Jenkinson, Buttner
Michu, Cazorla, Kagawa, Yaya T.
Tevez, RVP, E. Hazard (he’s a forward in my league for some reason)
Thoughts? I think its a pretty solid team assuming Buttner plays
September 22 at 5:22 am
Aris says:
Is that the Yahoo! fantasy game?
September 22 at 5:21 am
Aris says:
I hope to achieve a decent score this week, seeing as most of my players will be playing at home.
Foster
A.Cole, Walker, Figueroa, Demel
Hazard, Cazorla, Michu
Tevez, RVP, Defoe
Only RVP and Cazorla have away matches
Still, it could all go horribly wrong…
September 22 at 5:57 am
manu4life says:
Yes, it is for Yahoo league. What do you think though? Yaya Toure or Kevin Nolan? Your team looks pretty solid as well. What do you think of mine?
September 22 at 10:51 am
fizzul89 says:
Nolan is attacking midfielder that always created chances
September 22 at 7:53 am
Natster | The Shuffling says:
El Capitán?
A: Hazard
Home vs Stoke. Top FFS poll. Probably most selected this week. He played 90 minutes on last Saturday and Wednesday. His team got nothing last Sat and he got 1 assist on midweek. His next match is today, Saturday. Some speculate that he could be rested and start from bench. Chelsea have next match on Tuesday but it’s just a cup game and he won’t be needed to play.
B: H. Ben Arfa
Home vs Norwich. 8th on FFS poll. He should be fully fresh as he and most of his first team players didn’t play in Europa League game. Newcastle are expected to win with some margin over Norwich and HBA is expected to be highly involved. Anyway, he got nothing when his team scored 2 goals last week.
September 22 at 8:05 am
Bang Bang 0-0 says:
I’ll go with HBA
stoke city even stronger this season..
and, the chances HBA will start higher than hazard imo
RVP’s cameo last week burnt me…
September 22 at 7:55 am
ⓖⓐⓩⓩⓐ™ says:
Rate my team please
Foster. (Jaaskelainen)
Rafael. Demel. Baines (Hangeland) (Jenkinson)
Hazard(c) Y Toure. Michu. Dyer. (Sterling)
Van persie Tevez. Berbatov
September 22 at 8:03 am
Natster | The Shuffling says:
From my memory, Jass and Foster are not rotating well.
For this week, I think you are set and ready to go.
September 22 at 8:02 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Foster and Jaaskelainen rotate extremely well actually. Not h/a, but in terms of fixture difficulty.
September 22 at 8:10 am
Bang Bang 0-0 says:
+1
just like Foster + Begovic / Krul + Vorm last season..
in GW 2, I’d jump to jussie+foster and upgrade my def
September 22 at 8:09 am
ⓖⓐⓩⓩⓐ™ says:
Cheers. yeh they rotate really well
WEST BROM : RDG avl QPR MCI new SOT
WEST HAM. : SUN qpr ARS SOT wig MCI
September 22 at 8:12 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
There’s a new post btw, guys.
September 22 at 9:08 am
samlong1 says:
Jasskelienen
Ivanovic terry baines
Michu hazard yaya Ben arfa
Defoe tevez ba
I’ve got 1.6 in the bank, I know it’s not great but any changes?
September 22 at 10:01 am
tommo-uk- says:
Nice Team, but i wouldnt have too expensive defenders in Ivanovic & Terry.
Downgrade 1 of them and give yourself enough money to upgrade 1 of your strikers. Tevez & Defoe a are potential rotation risks over the coming weeks when Aguero & Adebayor return.
September 22 at 9:27 am
stachman says:
Nobody feels that Azpilicueta may be given a debut against Stoke at home? Ivanovic had been playing every game this season (including international team)… He has to be rested one day…
September 22 at 9:36 am
Larmuck says:
I don’t think RDM will want to take chances against Stoke.
September 22 at 9:35 am
Larmuck says:
I am seriously considering Berbatov for GW5 captaincy,what do you think..tricky game week…have RvP,Tevez,Berbatov,Yaya T,carzola,Ben Arfa,Kagawa,
September 22 at 10:05 am
tommo-uk- says:
I think the captain choice is wide open this week. If Fulham turn it on and score a few, Berba is going to be involved in them surely.
Hazard is most % but i can see Chelsea really struggling vs Stoke…….0-0, 1-0 i predict.
I can see lots of goals in the LIV v UTD game and RVP could bag another double pointer imo.
September 22 at 10:26 am
Jim Carew says:
Any thoughts on starting Kacaniklic over either Yaya or Cazorla, am I crazy?
Tough game for both Man City and Arsenal and Kac is at Wigan with Berba looking good for goals….
September 22 at 10:53 am
devilhunter says:
thinking of play Kacaniklic over Michu…bad idea?
September 22 at 11:21 am
boffster says:
yes
September 22 at 11:02 am
Hatem_Hazard says:
What do you guys think:
Change Torres + Dyer to Defoe + Ben Arfa (and -4)
Thanks!
September 22 at 11:08 am
josc87 says:
Bench Cazorla or Maloney?
Really think Maloney could out score cazorla this week… But undecided – help!
September 22 at 11:09 am
Skipper says:
Should i make a change or wait till next week for 2 transfers
Vorm, (Cerny)
Rafael, Vermaelen, Ivanovic, (McCartney), (Clyne)
Bale, Yaya Toure, Dyer, Michu, Fellaini
Tevez, Torres, Petric
September 22 at 11:25 am
devilhunter says:
Michu or Fellaini? Cos Jelavic is injured
September 22 at 2:26 pm
fergalc90 says:
baines assist, nice one
September 22 at 7:56 pm
Flying Asasssins says:
Which team is better?
(3-4-3) Foster
Demel/Clyne Mertesacker Baines
Michu Ben Arfa Y.Toure Hazard
S.Fletcher V.Persie Tevez
Or (3-5-2)
Foster
Hangeland Mertesacker Baines
Routledge Michu Kagawa Hazard Y.Toure
Tevez V. Persie
Please reply, the first team would cost me 12 points though, do you think Kagawa will get better?
September 22 at 10:32 pm
qergizor says:
Rate my team:
Jass Schwartzer
Reid Williams Santon Gunther Baines
Pienaar Yaya Hazard Morrison Guthrie
V.Persie Tevez Berba
Who should I sell next, and who should i buy??
September 23 at 4:24 pm
MichaelBear says:
Hello,
Sorry if this has already been covered but why didn’t Harte make the reading squad yesterday?
Thanks in advance
September 23 at 11:00 pm
A.D.D says:
Sorry lads, anyone got the link for the rise?
September 24 at 10:52 am
gerrard08 says:
bego/jussi
demel/baines/a.cole/wilson/gibbs
santi/gerrard/fellaini/sterling/bale
berba/lambert/aguero
September 24 at 5:06 pm
Az says:
like it! Similar to mine with some punts thrown in
September 24 at 5:05 pm
Az says:
Wildcard played!
Jussi (Begovic)
A.Cole Baines Rafael (Clyne, Demel)
Pienaar Michu Cazorla Nolan (Sterling)
Berbatov Aguero RVP
Lets do this
Want to be in the top 1k this year!