634x258 Scout Picks
8 November 2013 1599 comments
Paul Paul
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We keep faith in a 4-3-3 formation this weekend after 10 teams delivered clean sheets last time out. Southampton, Chelsea and Liverpool all provide us with a pair of players apiece, while Sunday’s match at Old Trafford supplies us with a couple of in-form contenders before we brace ourselves for yet another international interruption:

Artur Boruc gets the nod as Southampton prepare for the visit of Hull City. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have chalked up a clean sheet in each of their last four at St Mary’s and with the visitors drawing blanks in three of their five road trips, defensive returns look on the menu once again for the Pole, who is joint-top scoring keeper in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game.

A home game with Newcastle brings Jan Vertonghen into consideration. The Belgian has racked up 27 points in the last three Gameweeks since moving to left-back and with seven clean sheets in the opening 10 league fixtures, Andre Villas-Boas’ backline has been particularly resilient. The Tottenham manager’s tinkering further up the pitch enhances Vertonghen’s potential – he may have produced just one assist so far but is 22 points ahead of any midfield team-mate in the FPL standings.

John Terry is drafted in ahead of Chelsea’s home game with West Brom. The Baggies have scored just once in their last two road trips, suggesting a first clean sheet in six could be on the cards for Jose Mourinho’s side, whilst Terry’s threat in the box has been particularly impressive in recent weeks and has delivered a goal and assist already.

Having recovered from the illness that kept him out of Sunday’s game at the Emirates, Glen Johnson welcomes Fulham to Anfield this weekend. Whether in a 3-4-1-2 or 4-4-2, Johnson arguably offers the greatest security of any of Brendan Rodgers’ defenders – with the Cottagers having failed to score in three of their last four road trips, the Reds look a strong shout for a clean sheet, while Johnson’s raids down the right offer hope of attacking returns.

A trip to struggling Palace brings Leighton Baines into the reckoning. Everton have conceded one in the last three, whilst their hosts have found the net on a single occasion over the same time period – as always, the left-back’s set-piece duties and delivery from the flank boost his appeal ahead of the Selhurst Park showdown.

With doubts still hovering over Eden Hazard’s starting role after the Belgian was omitted from the midweek Champions League match with Schalke, we’re opting for Oscar for Chelsea’s home game with West Brom. The Brazilian has been his side’s most consistent performer at the Bridge and has scored in three of five appearances in front of the Blues fans – Hazard, on the other hand, has scored in just one of Chelsea’s home games so far ahead of the visit of West Brom.

Adam Lallana gets the nod for Southampton’s home clash against Hull. The Saints skipper has produced a goal or assist in four of his last six appearances and, up against a Tigers side that have conceded twice in all but one of their road trips so far, could be poised to pick up the points again before the schedule turns a little tougher.

Man of the moment Aaron Ramsey cannot be ignored as Arsenal travel to Old Trafford. Wednesday’s winner in Dortmund continued the Welshman’s relentless pursuit of goals – it’s now 11 for the season in 17 games across all competitions for the Gunners midfielder. Ramsey has shown a consistency that has proven a rarity amongst midfield options this term – with attacking returns in seven of his 10 league appearances, he’ll be confident of picking up the points against a United side that have failed to register a clean sheet in any of the last six.

Runaway leader in this week’s Captain Poll, Luis Suarez will be licking his lips at the thought of a home game with Fulham. The Cottagers have managed a single clean sheet in nine games and with 23 points in his two Anfield appearances since returning from suspension, the Uruguayan could have a field day against Martin Jol’s strugglers.

A trip to struggling Sunderland offers Sergio Aguero the platform to continue his sensational form. Seven goals and five assists in the last five highlight his recent displays and, up against a side that have conceded in every game this season, the Argentine could be set for his fifth set of double figures thus far. While David Silva’s injury absence is a bitter blow for Manuel Pellegrini, it’s worth noting that the Spaniard was sidelined for the 4-1 win over United back in Gameweek 5 – Aguero still managed two goals and maximum bonus that day.

We’re expecting goals at both ends of the pitch in Sunday’s Old Trafford encounter and draft in Wayne Rooney for the home side. With five goals, three assists and 11 bonus points in his last seven league outings, the United forward has struck a rich vein of form under David Moyes and will fancy his chances of plundering a backline that have managed just one away clean sheet (at Palace) so far this season.

Ashley Williams warms the bench as Swansea prepare for the visit of Stoke. The Swans may be toiling up top but have been particularly resilient at the back, with just a single goal conceded in the last three league games. Williams, at 4.8, has earned six bonus points from three clean sheets so far.

United’s Adnan Januzaj also makes the squad for the visit of Arsenal. The youngster looks set for a fourth start in five after being rested from the midweek match against Real Sociedad and trickery on the flank has already harvested two goals and a pair of assists in six appearances under David Moyes.

Jay Rodriguez is our budget striker pick for the Saints’ home clash against Hull. The former Burnley man has finally found the form that made him such a pre-season favourite around these parts – with three goals, an assist and seven bonus points in the last four Gameweeks, he’s proven superb value at just 5.8.

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  1. Doar1986
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hmmm do I take a punt and swap Shirley to lamela? Already have oscar

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  2. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Silva--->Nasri (-4) or can I just play Januzaj instead?

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  3. HerbyCR
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Suarez or Agüero for Captain? Thanks guys

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    1. MagnetBPS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Suarez

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  4. MagnetBPS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Front 8
    Silva Ramsey Ozil Januzaj Morrison
    Suarez Aguero Lukaku

    Get rid of silva and get Oscar? Need your help.

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  5. spudb0y
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sturridge or Aguero for captain?

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    1. theloveburglar
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      aguero all day long

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  6. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Any news from Demi on probable Liverpool line up ?

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    1. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Bib theory says thus:

      Mignolet
      Johnson. Skrtel. Agger. Cissokho.
      Lucas
      Gerard. Henderson.
      Coutinho
      Suarez. Sturridge.

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  7. BenDavies
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:
    Davies (STOKE)
    Shawcross (swansea)

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  8. pezzerman
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    feel like such a moron using my one free transfer selling michu for silva on Sunday night..-4 for oscar/hazard or let shawcross come off my bench?

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    1. Twelve years a slave
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      you have to lose Silva anyway may as well btr the bullet and get oscar

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  9. RugbyMadNut
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Here's one I don't think has been asked tonight...

    Remy or Januzaj to play?

    TEAM
    Boruc
    Clyne, Mertesacker, Shaw
    Coutinho, Hazard, Oscar, Ramsay
    Suarez, Remy, Aguero

    Harper, Januzaj, Rosenior, Chester

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    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Go with Remy for sure.

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  10. ogs_manutd92
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I have Sturrige/BArfa -> Aguero + 5.5mil
    Can't decide on which cheap midfield option to go for.. Not too sure about Brady, considering Morrison - Januzaj has bad fixtures!

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  11. FortunesAlwaysHiding
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    How nailed on are the following for the weekend?

    A) Gerrard
    B) Mirallas
    C) Bony
    D) Lambert
    E) Schurlle

    Thanks...

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  12. Kagawa-san-mia
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Do i use my freebie and lose evans, does anyone know if he is back in contention ?

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  13. elvarus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Silva ➡️ Nasri or Coutinho for (-4) or play Januzaj?

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  14. Sucker#1
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    silva -> hazard for 4 pt hit, worth it? or go for oscar?

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  15. white lightning
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Mignolet (Boruc)
    Baines, Terry, Dawson, Clyne (Burner)
    Ozil, Ramsey, Lallana (Barkley, Siggy)
    Suarez (c), Aguero, Lukaku

    (a) Shall I use my ft to replace Siggy with R. Morrison
    (b) Save my ft
    (c) Do something else that I haven't considered.

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  16. thorvaldsson
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    What do I do here? I went -4 to get Silva now he is hurt. I only have Cabaye, Ozil and Morrison in midfield. I'm forced to play Evra in a back 4 which I'm not a fan of, he will join Coleman, Dawson and Fonte. Do I go minus 8? I've loss Vorm and Redmond to injury and suspension and my only healthy sub is Ward from Palace.

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    1. Jebus Saves
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      no need for another hit. 4 at the back is fine.

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  17. Caligunr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    One to play out of BDavies, RMorrison, or RBarkley?

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    1. Jebus Saves
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Barkley

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    2. The Dark Knightt
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Play Morrison or B Davies, Barkley's playing time is a real concern

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  18. migas2k7
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero or Suarez for captain?

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    1. The Dark Knightt
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      toss a coin, both are good option

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  19. fastforward
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Have already gone Michu > Ramsey this GW but now have Silva out long term too - my options are:
    a) Nasri (-4)
    b) Oscar/Hazard (-4)
    c) leave it until after the international break

    Mignolet
    Nastasic Santon Walker Vidic (Sagna)
    Ramsey Brady Amilfitano (Moses Silva**)
    Sturridge Lukaku Giroud

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  20. Santi sensei
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Differential pick guess : Nasri Coutinho Eto'o

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  21. minus110 but can do it
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    who to play ??
    A - Giroud
    B - Barkley
    C - K.Toure

    today team:
    Boruc [davies]
    Terry Dawson Shaw [K.Toure Gabiddon]
    Hazard Nasri Januzaj Ramsey [Barkley]
    Wazza GIROUD* Suarez [c]

    -99 in mini league now. top man play 3 arsenal players every week [giroud - ramsey - ozil].

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    1. CapFive
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Giroud

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  22. CapFive
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play

    Migs or Boruc?

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  23. Galfadez
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    At the moment my XI is:
    Boruc
    Zabaleta Dawson Fonte Coleman
    Ozil Lallana Barkley
    Suarez Aguero Rooney

    Am I crazy leaving Ramsey on the bench?

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    1. minus110 but can do it
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      you not ! glory glory man united 😉

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  24. 123oldman06
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench? Giroud or Dawson?

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  25. clairey
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play, who to bench and who to captain?

    Boruc or Harper

    Fonte/Chico/Wilson/Coleman/Davies
    Ozil/Brady/Arnautovic/Ramsey/Januzaj
    Suarez/Giroud/Aguero

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  26. Urchin
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Yippee......i have 6 of the 11 scout picks in my team....hope that is good :I

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