Scout Picks – Gameweek 19
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Paul
Christmas may be a time to relax for most folk but for Fantasy managers it’s the most frantic period of the season. Four sets of fixtures within the space of a fortnight, with rail strikes now adding to our rest and rotation Boxing Day concerns – the dust has barely settled on Gameweek 18 as we return with another set of Scout Picks for your consideration:
Asmir Begovic gets the nod between the sticks ahead of Stoke’s home game against Liverpool. While the Reds have picked up in performance of late, the Potters stopper has conceded just four goals in his last 10 matches; Tony Pulis’ side have already kept out their opponents at Anfield and will be confident of picking up a tenth clean sheet of the campaign.
Leighton Baines makes a return to the Scout Picks as Everton prepare to host Wigan. Roberto Martinez’s side have scored just five times on the road this season and with three goals in their last seven away fixtures, Baines’ chances of a first clean sheet since Gameweek 5 look enticing. Factor in his set-piece and spot-kick duties and the left-back’s owners will be hoping for a decent haul against a Latics side that has picked up just a single point in the previous five.
We’re opting for the cut-price Ryan Nelsen as QPR look to bounce back from their first defeat under Harry Redknapp on Wednesday afternoon. The R’s welcome West Brom to Loftus Road and will be optimistic of keeping out a Baggies side that have found the net just three times in their last five matches.
Having started nine of the last 10 Gameweeks, Matija Nastasic continues to offer a secure route into City’s backline. With just one goal conceded in their last four on the road, the champions look a good bet to register another clean sheet on their travels as they head to Sunderland – the Black Cats have scored more than a single goal just once in their last six and head into Wednesday’s match with doubts hanging over Seb Larsson and Adam Johnson.
An upturn in attacking displays brings Steven Pienaar back into our thoughts ahead of Everton’s home showdown with Wigan. The South African has played a part in four of Everton’s last five goals and has produced double figure returns in two of the last three Gameweeks – the Latics injury-hit backline has conceded twice in seven of their last eight and looks incapable of a clean sheet right now.
Gareth Bale heads to beleaguered Villa on Wednesday as Spurs look to atone for a goalless home draw with Stoke last weekend. With three lots of double figures in seven away matches, the Welshman’s could well prosper against a side that may will be licking their wounds after Chelsea hit them for eight yesterday.
Chelsea’s trip to Norwich earns Juan Mata a call-up ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. The Canaries have conceded in each of their last six and have already been beaten 4-1 by the Blues –a game which saw the Spaniard return eight FPL points. Mata’s away record is particularly enticing – he has started five games on the road this term and has returned 49 points over those games, failing to score or assist just once, back in Gameweek 1.
A trip to basement-dwellers Reading offers Michu the chance to add to his 13 goal haul. Having scored six in his last five matches, the Spaniard’s form shows little sign of letting up and he’ll fancy his chances against a Royals backline that have shipped nine goals in their last two at the Madejski.
Villa’s chances of bouncing back from their mauling at the Bridge are likely to rely on the broad shoulders of Christian Benteke. Having had a hand in eight of the midlanders’ 13 goals since making his debut in Gameweek 4, the Belgian’s contribution will be crucial as Spurs make their way to Villa Park.
Given his consistency, it’s almost an irrelevance what fixture is in front of Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman will be looking to maintain a record of eight FPL points per home start as Newcastle make their way to Old Trafford – despite his manager’s recent hint at squad rotation over the festive period, Van Persie is surely too crucial to be left out as United look to bounce back from Sunday’s draw at Swansea.
Today’s news of a possible return for Bryan Ruiz has Dimitar Berbatov firmly back on the radar. Without a goal or assist in his last seven, the Bulgarian’s prospects of picking up the points is also boosted by a home clash against travel-sick Southampton – Nigel Adkins’ side have conceded 20 times and picked up three points away from St Mary’s so far.
John Arne Riise warms the subs bench as Fulham welcome Southampton to the Cottage. There’s no denying Martin Jol’s side have been poor at the back in recent matches but their visitors have netted just twice in the last four – with a share of corners also in his locker, the left-back offers a chance of points at both ends of the pitch.
A brace in his last home game is enough to earn Adel Taarabt a spot in the squad. West Brom arrive at Loftus Road without a single away clean sheet and have conceded at least twice in each of their last three road trips – encouraging signs for Harry Redknapp as he looks to the Moroccan to engineer a second successive home.
Edin Dzeko keeps his place on the bench as City travel to Sunderland. Once again, Roberto Mancini’s recent comments regarding rotation play a major part – both Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez started against Reading on Saturday and with Mario Balotelli uncertain to feature after last week’s illness, the Bosnian could well grab a spot in the first XI at the Stadium of Light.
About The Author
paul
Commenting is now closed for this post.
Recent Comments
-
i've got a shocking 8 points from 5 games with fellaini, 8 points from 5 with michu, 20 from 7 with sturridge, Graham… » -
finished in the top 10k :) best finish ever » -
In a Season when it was harder finding a clean sheet than a fart in a wind tunnel, you chose a dubious strategy of cheap… » -
in all honesty though I think some of it comes down to bad luck, or a few poor judgement calls is all it really is. and… » -
i did play dgws nearly to perfection this year so you could be right :lol: » -
Yeah, a few pages back, long farewell speech. You also got a mention » -
My DGW aggregate is more than Forca's ;) » -
Nicely done Jim! » -
Biggest flops for my team this season DDG Kompany Nasty Hangeland Hazard Fellaini Michu Taarabt Aguero Sturridge… »
-
+1 »
“We have dynamic players with good movement, so if he can link with them fine. He can play a bit higher because his timing getting into the box is very good.”
Rafa Benitez talks up the role that Frank Lampard can play in his Chelsea revolution
-
Mark @FFScout_Mark
-
Paul @ffscout_paul
-
greek fan @FFScout_Greekf
-
Andy @ffscout_andy
-
G-G-Granville @FFScout_Granny
-
Akers @FFScout_Akers
-
Big Dunc @FFScout_Dunc
December 25 at 8:08 am
Daniel - Hate this Jask/Bego rotation!!! says:
What do we expect from Sess this week and ring the festive period?
December 25 at 8:09 am
marvellus says:
I have him, expecting little, may shift for a hit for Silva, due to fixtures.
December 25 at 8:09 am
kaz says:
2,5,2
December 25 at 8:15 am
JT - "Tell him he's Pele and get him back on." says:
To start, for me that is good enough right now.
Anything else is a bonus, literally.
December 25 at 8:20 am
Daniel - Hate this Jask/Bego rotation!!! says:
I am pondering a hit for bale and I don;t know if it is worth. He is in kind of a streak no? Also without Fletch he probably gonna play upfront.
December 25 at 8:10 am
Acquafresca says:
Alright then, I know Berba is out of form, but my gut is really wanting me to do Fletcher>Berba for free.
Options:
A) Fletcher > Berbatov
B) Save FT, next week Gallas+Sess > 4.2+Walcott
C) A this week, B next week for a hit.
Team ATM:
Bego
Gallas, Hughes, Cuellar
Bale, Silva, Michu, Sess
RVP, Suarez, Fletcher
SUBS: Tremmel, Sterling, Sagna, Demel
December 25 at 9:29 am
viditarora says:
Fulham play Southampton at home which is an easy fixture than Sunderland’s. Keep Berba.
December 25 at 5:24 pm
Ricky_No says:
I like Berbs, though it’s been a trial to stick with him. I’m hoping that with Ruiz back he’ll be more involved.
December 25 at 8:11 am
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-4677640
Chistmas Greeting from FFS. NEW POST
December 25 at 8:15 am
colin1201 says:
Marippa, wilkinson or davies to replace demel?
Already have begovic as one of my keepers.
Thanks for any advice
December 25 at 8:18 am
azoozalamoudi says:
should i take out suarez out with qpr cisse and put in berba n jelavic in for a -4
December 25 at 9:04 am
bigbraff says:
Merry Christmas all.
Any thoughts on whether Mignolet > Begivic is worth it for -4?
Wouldn’t usually risk a hit on a keeper but worried Sunderland could get hammered…
Thanks.
December 25 at 9:27 am
viditarora says:
Please tell me if I should make any changes in the squad and the captain???
My Team for GW 19 –
GK: de Gea
DEF: Rafael, Vertonghen, Ivanovic (VC), Aaron Hughes, Jose Enrique
MID: Hoolahan, Sidwell, Mata
FWD: Defoe, Rooney (C)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Shane Long, Sterling, Nolan
December 25 at 10:35 am
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
Best pick?
A: Zabaleta
B: Nastasic
December 25 at 10:58 am
grifster69 says:
Hi any advice on team appreciated. Thinking of saving free so I can get bale in next gw for no hit
Beg(foster)
Nast shawx Baird (demel,Cuellar)
michu mata yaya Punch(sterling)
Rvp c Suarez Berb
December 25 at 1:11 pm
Unbelievable Bentekes says:
Think I’m OK to save the transfer?
Begovic
Lowton | Sagna | Enrique | Cameron | Nelsen
Sess | Yaya | Sterling | Michu | Bale
Ba | RVP | Tevez
Sagna / Jaask out
Bank: 0.1
Ruiz is rated as 50/50 so if Berbatov does well I could bring him as a (C) candidate for GW20 instead of RVP (as every chance he’ll be benched)
December 25 at 1:13 pm
K.nick1721 says:
Who to captain
Torres
RVP
Michu
Silva
Mata
December 25 at 3:47 pm
Nopli-Unleashthedrog says:
Very close call between torres and Silva .
I would go for Silva as he is Mr consistent and is involved in almost everything. 90mins also guaranteed unlike Torres
December 25 at 5:10 pm
lanredan19 says:
who to get in for garrido.. budget 4.5
December 25 at 5:17 pm
ahmed_7 says:
nelsen
December 25 at 5:19 pm
lanredan19 says:
who to replace fellani? pineear or mata
December 25 at 5:22 pm
ahmed_7 says:
i have mata and he’s outstanding , he’s allover chelsea midfield dude
December 25 at 5:28 pm
Ricky_No says:
Agreed. Mata’s worth it.
December 25 at 5:18 pm
ahmed_7 says:
worth a hit -4
rafael and walcot out ———— bale and nastasic in
on the top of ma league with 62 pionts difference
December 25 at 5:22 pm
lanredan19 says:
i probably would. If they were long term.
December 25 at 5:25 pm
ahmed_7 says:
yes dat was ma plan .. a long term asset
December 25 at 5:21 pm
robalabobolol says:
Rate my team? Got a 6/10 by most people last week so have had a drastic rethink
Begovic
Riise, Shorey, Nastasic
Mata, Michu, Pienaar, Silva
Suarez, Defoe, Rooney
December 25 at 5:48 pm
Adriana Lima says:
Pleas help me guys.
My Team:
Begovic
Riise Johnson Nelsean (bench: cullear simpson)
Mata Taarabt Sterlin Michu (bench: Puncheon)
Berba RVP Ba
I have 1 free transfer and 0.6 i n the bank. any suggestions?
Who on captain?
December 25 at 6:19 pm
jamessimonhudson says:
Hi guys, this is my first comment on here, just wondering how you think my team is looking for this week?
Begovic
Baines, Cole, Cameron
Michu(C), Dembele, Toure, Mata
Long, Defoe, Tevez
Subs: Davies, Sterling, Santon
Not sure whether to swap Davies in for Long or not, what do you all think? Also do you think Michu as a captain is a good choice or do you think someone else would be better? Any other advice would be great!
December 26 at 12:06 am
All Up On The Interwebs says:
hi chaps is shorey going to be benched?
December 26 at 1:22 am
alan.tripletee says:
Bale or Mata? Is Mata at risk of being rotated?
December 26 at 10:14 am
Fantasy Fanatic says:
Taarabt/Michu, Defoe/D.Cisse ?