Scout Picks – Gameweek 38

This is it, then. The final Gameweek of the season. In what is the closest run Fantasy Premier League (FPL) campaign in memory, the Fantasy Football Scout league has four of the overall top six firmly in the running for the crown as we head towards Sunday’s deadline. The choice of captain is likely to be make or break for many and, with strong home ties for Liverpool and Tottenham, there are two prime contenders and a rich supporting task amongst this week’s “Picks”. For the last time this season, good luck everyone.

Artur Boruc gets the nod between the sticks for Southampton’s home clash with Stoke. With some pricey defenders in our selection, we’ve opted for the cut-price Saints stopper due to the visitors’ poor away record – Tony Pulis’ side have scored just 12 goals on the road all season and offer Boruc the chance of picking up defensive points at St Mary’s on Sunday as the Saints recover form in front of their own fans.

Back from a one-match suspension, we expect Pablo Zabaleta to return to the City first XI for Sunday’s home match with Norwich. Certainly, the right-back’s chances of defensive points look strong – City have seven clean sheets in their last nine at the Etihad, while Norwich have notched just twice in their previous seven road trips. With his right flanks raids serving up a couple of goals and pair of assists already, the Argentine looks a real prospect at both ends of the pitch. It was Zabaleta’s goal that got the ball rolling for City on that dramatic day, just over a year ago.

Glen Johnson is our Liverpool defender of choice for the home clash with QPR. With Jose Enrique dropping to the bench last week as Brendan Rodgers trialled a 3-5-2, Johnson’s security of starts gets him the vote of confidence. The right-back’s chances of a 16th clean sheet of the season are bolstered by the R’s record of a single goal in the last five Gameweeks and with a goal and five assists so far, he’s another who offers potential for attacking returns in what is expected to be a handsome victory for the home side.

Jan Vertonghen’s eye for goal earns the Tottenham defender a call up as Sunderland make their way to the Lane. The Belgian has already struck five times this term and his forward forays could be key Andre Boas-Villas side search for a vital victory against the Black Cats – with two sets of double figures in his last nine appearances, Vertonghen has proven a canny Fantasy acquisition of late. Michael Dawson is a budget alternative to the Belgian but has offered no real offensive threat by comparison.

The flourishing form of Philippe Coutinho is too good to ignore for Liverpool’s final home match of the season. Subject of yesterday’s member’s monitor article, the winger has produced a pair of assists in two of his last three appearances and welcomes out-of-sorts QPR to Anfield – Harry Redknapp has already admitted he’s likely to leave out Jose Bosingwa as the visitors attempt to batten down the hatches.

Michu gets the nod for Swansea’s enticing home fixture with Fulham. Having recovered from injury last weekend, he almost spoiled Sir Alex Ferguson’s farewell party by notching at Old Trafford and with his eye for goal reinstalled, he looks a real armband contender against a woefully out of sorts Cottagers side that have shipped seven goals in the last two Gameweeks.

Back-to-back blanks won’t dissuade us from handing Gareth Bale a Scout Picks place ahead of a home clash with Sunderland. With Tottenham in dire need of a victory in their bid for a Champions League spot, the Welshman will be looking for a return to the form that has served up four sets of double figures in his last five at White Hart Lane.

With goals in each of his last three appearances, Theo Walcott looks in fine form as Arsenal head to Newcastle. The Gunners know a win will secure at least fourth and roll up to Tyneside in their best run of away form this season – with four back-to-back victories on the road, they’ll be looking to Walcott to breach a Magpies rearguard that has shipped nine goals in the last couple of matches in front of their own fans.

We can’t ignore Robin Van Persie’s appeal in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match in charge of United. The champions are desperate to hand their manager the perfect send off and with the Baggies losing each of their last three, the Dutchman could well be set to plunder the points yet again and finish another superb Fantasy season in style.

A home clash with Championship-bound QPR affords Daniel Sturridge further opportunity to rack up the goals. The Liverpool forward put three past Fulham last weekend and has now found the net five times in three matches since Luis Suarez was suspended – with over 39% of the votes in this week’s Captain Poll, he’s head and shoulders above any other option so far.

Andy Carroll is handed another chance in his final match on loan at West Ham. The big forward will be looking to put himself in the shop window over the summer and with attacking returns in five of his last six at Upton Park (four goals, two assists and six bonus points) he’ll be more than optimistic against a Reading side that have failed to register a single clean sheet on the road all season.

Angel Rangel warms the bench as Swansea prepare for Fulham’s visit. The right-back’s raids down the flank have already returned three goals this season – more than the rest of his defensive team mates combined – and with the Cottagers scoring once in their last three road trips, he offers plenty potential at both ends of the pitch.

We welcome Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan into the squad for the home clash with Reading. The 6.1 priced midfielder has returned a goal and five bonus points over the last two games in front of his own supporters and will be looking to maintain his upturn in form against the porous Royals’ backline.

Our final spot goes to Jay Rodriguez. With uncertainty surrounding Rickie Lambert’s start against Stoke due to a back problem, the former Burnley striker could potentially be shifted to a central role and, having already notched against the Potters this season, will be looking to lead Southampton to victory after a recent dry spell.