Scout Picks – Gameweek 18
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Paul
We’re bracing ourselves for a flurry of fixtures over the next few days as the festive schedule serves up as many as four Gameweeks. With home ties on their respective agendas, City, Liverpool and Spurs provide our Scout Picks XI with two players apiece this weekend – here’s who we have for your consideration:
Jussi Jaaskelainen gets the nod between the sticks as West Ham prepare to welcome Everton to Upton Park. With the visitors devoid of the suspended Marouane Fellaini, Sam Allardyce’s side will be a little more confident of registering their second successive clean sheet after defying West Brom last time round. Jaaskelainen has already kept out his opponents on six occasions this term and is likely to have the comfort of save points to fall back on if he does concede.
Glen Johnson retains his spot in the Scout Picks on the back of his strong attacking displays. The Liverpool right-back has provided attacking returns in each of his last three and with visitors Fulham scoring once in their previous three on the road, the potential for points at both ends of the pitch looks prosperous as the Reds look to bounce back from last week’s home defeat against Villa.
A home clash with Reading earns City’s Matija Nastasic a call-up. Roberto Mancini’s side look strong candidates for a clean sheet – the Royals have failed to score in each of their last three road trips and, having started eight of the hosts’ last nine, Nastasic has offered a secure mid-price option at the back for the champions of late, as Joleon Lescott continues to look a peripheral figure.
Jan Vertonghen welcomes Stoke to the Lane on the back of his highest points return of the season. The Belgian supplemented his second clean sheet in the last three with a goal and maximum bonus last time round and with the Potters scoring twice in their previous four on the road, he could be set to continue his upturn in form.
With Roberto Mancini confirming his intentions to rotate over the festive period earlier today, our faith in City’s strike force has dampened further. Instead, we turn to David Silva as the champions prepare to wreak havoc on basement-dwellers Reading tomorrow. There’s no doubt the frontmen could rack up the points against a side that have conceded 13 times in their last four but Silva’s security of starts is a safer option – his recent 16 point home return against Villa highlights his offensive potential.
Theo Walcott’s move to the lone forward role against Reading last Monday earns him a Scout Picks place as Arsenal travel to Wigan. The Latics continue to struggle with injuries at the back and have shipped at least two goals in each of their last seven – with no Boxing Day fixture for Arsene Wenger’s side, rest and rotation is surely not a factor here.
Jason Puncheon is an enticing cut-price prospect as Southampton prepare for the visit of Sunderland. With Adam Lallana out injured, Puncheon’s contribution will be more vital than ever – he has two lots of double figure returns in his last five and is up against a side with one away clean sheet since the opening day of the season.
Fit and available after a brief hamstring absence, we welcome Gareth Bale back to the fold. There’s no doubt a home clash with Stoke is far from straightforward but prior to limping off against Fulham in Gameweek 15, Bale had notched in three back-to-back matches and seems to have picked up in goal threat this term under Andre Villas-Boas – he is just four goals short of equalling his tally for the entirety of last season.
With goals in each of his last four appearances, Robin Van Persie is an obvious choice. United travel to Swansea having scored at least three times in all but one of their last six on the road and with Michael Laudrup’s side conceding four to Norwich in their last home match, Van Persie looks to have the perfect chance to maintain his scoring form.
Demba Ba gets the nod as Newcastle prepare for the visit of QPR. While the visitors remain unbeaten under Harry Redknapp, they have, nevertheless, conceded in all but one of his four games in charge –Ba has scored in four of his last five at St James’ Park, in indication of his deadly form in front of the home faithful.
Our final forward is Luis Suarez. Granted, the Liverpool forward hasn’t been in the best of form in recent matches but is set to face a Fulham side that have shipped 18 goals in their travels already – the second worst away defence in the top-flight. With 10 goals and three assists to his name so far, Suarez’s owners will be anticipating returns tomorrow evening.
Nathaniel Clyne warms the bench ahead of Southampton’s home showdown with Sunderland. The raiding right-back has a couple of assists and two clean sheets in his last five and with doubts remaining over the availability of Steven Fletcher, Clyne’s owners will be confident of another strong showing this weekend.
A move to the role in “the hole” last week saw Adel Taarabt register his most impressive Fantasy returns of the season. Unbeaten in four under Harry Redknapp, QPR will be reliant on their Moroccan magician if they are to extend that record as they travel to Newcastle – priced at 5.6 in FPL, he’s a strong cut-price option heading into the weekend and is up against a backline with two clean sheets to their name all season.
Edin Dzeko gets the nod as City prepare to welcome Reading to the Etihad. As mentioned above, rest and rotation will be on the cards for Roberto Mancini’s side but with Mario Balotelli sidelined through illness, the Bosnian’s chances of game time are that little bit more enticing against the porous Royals backline – costing just 7.3 in FPL, his potential outweighs most other mid-price forwards this weekend. Even if he is handed a sub role, Dzeko has proven he needs little time to make an impact.
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December 21 at 9:48 pm
stive08 says:
Captain choice made
December 21 at 9:48 pm
halnone says:
ok Ill ask.
Who is it?
December 21 at 9:49 pm
Optimus says:
birdseye or morgan?
December 21 at 9:50 pm
stive08 says:
Enrique
December 21 at 10:53 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
Bold, hope it pays off
December 21 at 9:49 pm
halnone says:
Should I do Enrique > Nastasic or just hope enrique plays tomorrow?
It would be a free transfer by the way
December 21 at 9:48 pm
Kostja says:
Id prefer Enrique
December 21 at 9:50 pm
ZidaneSmith says:
Team for this week:
Jaask (Bego)
Reid, Cuellar, Caulker (Shorey, Rafael)
Puncheon, Santi, Silva, Yaya, Michu
RVP, Defoe (Berba)
Got 2.3m in the bank, but thinking that my defence is quite weak, (with Rafael injured and Caulker’s chances of playing doubtful) should I do a -4point hit to get in Vertonghen/Johson…Worth it?
December 21 at 9:50 pm
Give The Todd Some Love says:
NOOOOOOOOO
6 scout picks
DOOMED
December 21 at 9:51 pm
Mind over Mata says:
Bad luck fella!
December 21 at 9:52 pm
halnone says:
pretty much.
December 21 at 10:49 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
also got 6 (+1)
December 21 at 11:45 pm
MunyaBang says:
wait you mean to say because you have six scout picks in ur team ..ur doomed??
December 21 at 9:51 pm
andres says:
Is rafael out for sure?
December 21 at 10:16 pm
Sammy says:
Yep
December 21 at 9:51 pm
MB10 says:
Start
Sterling
or
Walters
?
December 21 at 9:51 pm
halnone says:
Any spurs fans know if Caulker will be benched again?
December 21 at 9:52 pm
The King says:
BAE might be back. Then I suspect there back four will be Walker – Gallas – Vert – BAE
December 21 at 9:53 pm
ff addict says:
This is bad news if true
December 21 at 9:54 pm
Twisted Saltergater says:
Definitely playing vs Stoke. He’s their tallest defender.
December 21 at 10:05 pm
nebbis says:
I thought the same last week that he would play against Michu…but hope you are right
December 21 at 9:52 pm
heartsattack says:
Pick one to FAIL. Rooney, Aguero, RVP, Tevez, Silva, Suarez?
December 21 at 9:54 pm
Michu is the new Ronaldo. Discuss. says:
If I were a betting man, I’d say Suarez. That said I have him in my team!
December 21 at 9:54 pm
Twisted Saltergater says:
Van Persie, I hope (rather selfishly).
December 21 at 9:55 pm
Obi Wan Elokobi says:
Hopefully Rooney, Aguero, Tevez and Silva
December 21 at 10:51 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
The one of tevez or kun that gets rotated
December 21 at 9:53 pm
stive08 says:
man i hate taking a hit just to get Guzan in was hoping he held out til deadline
December 21 at 9:56 pm
Floodedstatue says:
You’re taken a hit to bring Guzan in before an away trip to Chelsea. Are you hoping he has a worldy and gets you 5 save points?
December 21 at 9:53 pm
bt31 says:
Who to start:
A) Begovic or Jussi
B) 2 from Olsson, Rafael, Clyne, Cuellar
C) Sessegnon or Sterling
???
December 21 at 9:54 pm
Optimus says:
post new
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-4643035
December 21 at 9:55 pm
andres says:
Captain options:
Suarez
Silva
Rvp
Thx
December 21 at 10:01 pm
ZidaneSmith says:
Silva
December 21 at 9:56 pm
stephenl15 says:
My defenders are: Rafael, Enrique, Baines, Nelsen and Cuellar.
Should i take a hit on rafael to get nastasic or just hope enrique plays?
December 21 at 10:56 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
Chance it, you can still field enough players.
December 21 at 9:57 pm
MB10 says:
Sterling
or
Walters
December 21 at 10:56 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
Sterling
December 21 at 9:59 pm
Gooders says:
How does this look? All set?
Foster
Johnson Nelsen Cuellar
Cazorla Dempsey Michu Yaya
RVP(c) Suarez(vc) Berbatov
Begovic Sterling Cameron Shorey
December 21 at 10:56 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
Looks good to go, good luck mate
December 21 at 10:01 pm
Thomass67 Guys Join My LEAGUE CODE IS: 14862-133757 says:
Repost: who to captain
a) mata b) bale c) Cazorla or d) Suarez
Thanks for the comments
December 21 at 10:05 pm
drunken_mess says:
d
December 21 at 10:51 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
suarez
December 21 at 10:05 pm
stewcald says:
Aguero to start over Tevez?
Thoughts please??
December 21 at 10:10 pm
Ferris Bueller's Rotation Risk says:
How’s the team looking?
Jussi
Baines Enrique Demel
Santi Silva Michu Noble
RVP(c) Tevez(vc) Berba
Subs: Bego Mertesacker HRK Cameron
Subs correct and in right order? Demel the right choice? Cheers
December 21 at 10:16 pm
redunited says:
Would play Mert over Demel as you already have Jussi.
December 21 at 10:32 pm
Belli2007 says:
Agree with above. I am playing Demel and Jussi as have Clark away at Chelsea and Nelsen away at Newc and have Ba.
December 21 at 10:55 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
Play mert instead of demel
December 21 at 10:14 pm
redunited says:
I know this has been asked before, but just a quick opinion would be appreciated.
Who is the better pick until January?
A) Nastasic
B) Zabaleta
December 21 at 10:25 pm
Kagawabettadanhazard says:
Nasty
December 21 at 10:52 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
Both
December 21 at 10:52 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
Natsy should play almost every game, but zabaleta has more attacking potential.
Hence, choose zab if you have a strong bench, Nast if not.
December 21 at 10:23 pm
tmccann says:
Quick captain poll:
A. Suarez
B. RvP
December 21 at 10:26 pm
stewcald says:
C. Tevez
December 21 at 10:51 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
A. Suarez (if you take 10 shots per game something has to go in)
December 21 at 10:29 pm
sahota says:
Ba or Tevez in for Berba?
December 21 at 10:33 pm
stewcald says:
Tevez
December 21 at 10:54 pm
Butters "The Hitman" Stotch says:
+1
December 21 at 11:22 pm
stewcald says:
I got rid of Suarez this week so I have no doubt that he’ll get a hatrick.
The ***er!!
December 22 at 2:30 am
stewcald says:
I reckon Tevez Aguero.
Man City will really want to win and have won all 13 of the Premier League matches that Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez have started together.
They trail Man U by 6pts so they’ll put out a strong team against Reading who have won two and lost just one of the last four away league games against Manchester City.
But who knows with Mancini.
December 22 at 12:15 am
yanky says:
a) get in mata or silva?
b) play taarabt or puncheon?
December 22 at 12:59 am
kibria says:
who to bench
Snodgrass or michu
December 22 at 1:19 am
ahmed_7 says:
any news on who to start out of “Tevez – Aguero – Dzeko” ?
December 22 at 2:48 am
stewcald says:
Hmmm I reckon Tevez Aguero.
Man City will really want to win and have won all 13 of the Premier League matches that Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez have started together.
They trail Man U by 6pts so they’ll put out a strong team against Reading who have won two and lost just one of the last four away league games against Manchester City.
But who knows with Mancini.
December 22 at 1:27 am
Padre says:
Correct subs? cannot make my mind up!
Jaaskelainen, (Tremmel)
Clyne Jose Enrique (Cuellar, Bassong)
Sessegnon Michu Walters Santi Cazorla Sterling
Rooney, Van Persie (Le Fondre)
December 22 at 2:49 am
superstarshah says:
Bale, David Silva or Mata ?
December 22 at 4:44 am
avfcaidan10 says:
Silva short term, Bale mid-long term
December 22 at 4:39 am
avfcaidan10 says:
Start Cuellar (sot) or Cameron (tot)?
December 22 at 4:42 am
avfcaidan10 says:
And Jaask (EVE) or Foster (NOR) ?
December 22 at 5:20 am
shashwat_mohanty says:
Here’s my midfielders and forwards-
——Mata—–Noble—–Walcott—-Yaya Toure
——-Suarez——Tevez—–Lambert
I have Puncheon on the bench. He’s been on this week’s radar,so whom should I replace?
Plus,captain suggestions please…Currently,it’s Toure…
December 22 at 9:57 am
1t.rex says:
sagna or sess?