Scout Picks – Gameweek 13

The fixture list is starting to pick up pace now, spoiling Fantasy managers with three Gameweeks’ worth of action over nine days from tomorrow onwards. We’ll be looking for a certain Dutchman to rediscover his eye for goal this weekend as QPR roll up to Old Trafford on the back of Mark Hughes’ sacking:

Simon Mignolet gets the nod between the sticks for Sunderland’s home match with West Brom tomorrow lunchtime. The Black Cats have conceded just three goals in their opening four at the Stadium of Light and, up against a side with only one win and five goals on the road this term, will be looking to build on last weekend’s morale-boosting win at Fulham.

We’ve opted for Robert Huth as Stoke get ready for tomorrow’s home encounter with Fulham. The Potters’ extraordinary home defensive record of one goal conceded in five at the Britannia makes coverage of Tony Pulis’ backline a popular ploy, and with Brede Hangeland suspended for the visitors, Huth’s aerial threat from set-pieces could pay dividend against the Cottagers.

Leighton Baines was subject of much discussion in this week’s Podcast – no surprise to find our faith remains resolute ahead of a home clash with Norwich. The visitors arrive at Goodison with just three goals in their six away matches so far, boosting Baines’ chances of a third clean sheet of the season, while his attacking potential could also come to the fore; with Everton scoring at least twice in each of their last four home encounters, the left-back’s creativity could be key.

Rafael is our final defender, with a home game against managerless QPR tomorrow afternoon. Granted, he play the full 90 minutes at Galatasaray on Tuesday evening but will have had plenty time to rest and recuperate as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side look to bounce back from last week’s loss at Norwich. The visitors have failed to score in each of their last two road trips and with two goals and a pair of assists already accrued this term, the raiding right-back is another strong attacking threat from the back this weekend.

Michu gets the nod ahead of Swansea’s home clash against Liverpool. While the possible return of Ki Sung-Yeung may see the Spaniard move back up top on Sunday, his scoring record at the Liberty is enough to persuade us to bring him on board. Michu has notched in four of his six home appearances this term and with Brendan Rodgers’ side conceding in every road trip so far, the prospects for further look good.

We’re also opting for Antonio Valencia, in spite of a recent dip in form. United have averaged three goals per home game so far and although the winger has disappointed at Old Trafford so far this term, he’ll be confident of producing as he goes head-to-head with Armand Traore on the flank. One point in their last four for QPR is indicative of the type of form which led to Mark Hughes’ dismissal.

With three goals, an assist and four lots of FPL bonus points in his last five away games, Santi Cazorla seems to have a taste for producing points on the road. Arsenal make their way to Villa Park and, having hammered Spurs in the north London derby and qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League in back-to-back matches, will be in buoyant mood against a side that have shipped eight goals in their last two.

Juan Mata could be the key for Rafa Benitez as he plots the downfall of league leaders City in his first match in charge at the Bridge. Mata has produced attacked returns in each of his last six starts and is the man in form for the hosts right now – his contribution will be crucial if Benitez is to kick-start his Chelsea career with the three points.

Spurs haven’t been in the greatest of form in recent weeks, but we’re still backing Gareth Bale to produce the goods as West Ham make their way to the Lane. The Welshman notched at the Emirates last weekend and, likely to be up against Joey O’Brien on the flank, could well be set to pick up the points again. While the Hammers have been decent defensively, they have kept just one clean sheet in their last three away.

Norwich City may have held him to a rare blank in Gameweek 12 but what better way for Robin Van Persie to atone for his two point haul than a home clash with QPR? The Carrow Road defeat saw United slip off the summit but with the visitors failing to register an away clean sheet all season, the Dutchman is a huge armband favourite heading into this one, with a massive 64% of votes cast in the Captain Poll so far.

It’s impossible to overlook Luis Suarez as Brendan Rodgers takes Liverpool to former club Swansea on Sunday. The Uruguayan’s sensational form has produced attacking returns in each of his last five and on the road he has been particularly impressive – Suarez has scored in each of his last four away games and faces a Swans side that has conceded in each of their last 10.

Emmerson Boyce makes the bench for Wigan’s home game with Reading. While the Latics have yet to register a clean sheet at home so far, they’ll be boosted by their visitors’ dismal away displays, with Brian McDermott’s side scoring just one goal over their last three road trips. Boyce’s out of position role on the right of midfield and constant delivery from the flank offers potential of attacking points, too.

We’ve opted for the budget potential of Jason Puncheon ahead of Southampton’s clash with Newcastle. As mentioned in this week’s Technical Area and Moneyball articles, the winger has really upped his game over the last couple of Gameweeks and having produced double figures in the win at QPR last weekend, could come to the fore once more against the injury-hit Magpies.

Rickie Lambert has picked up in consistency of late, with a goal and assist across Southampton’s last couple of matches. With four points from their last two, Nigel Adkins’ are seeking to extend their flourishing form at the expense of Newcastle at St Mary’s this Sunday and with Fabricio Coloccini’s suspension one of several absentees for the visitors, Lambert looks a decent cut-price option.