Scout Picks – Gameweek 16

For the third Gameweek running, we decide against a 3-4-3 formation and place our faith in a four-man backline as a result of some strong home fixtures. Everton, Chelsea and Norwich supply us with a couple of players apiece, whilst the main decision this week boiled down to which South American striker to leave on the sidelines:

John Ruddy gets the nod between the sticks for Norwich’s home game against Swansea. Aside from their hammering at Anfield, the Canaries have been relatively resilient in recent weeks and have picked up two clean sheets in the last three Gameweeks – given that the visitors have drawn blanks in three of their previous four road trips, a shut-out could well be on the cards for Chris Hughton’s side.

Everton’s Seamus Coleman has a plum home clash with Fulham at Goodison Park this weekend. Whilst Phil Jagielka has mainly relied on bonus points to bolster his appeal, the right-back’s marauding runs down the flank have already produced a couple of goals this term and helped him to the top of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) defender standings. The most popular defender in the FPL game, with over 34% ownership, Coleman’s bandwagon has acquired over 68,000 new suitors already this week.

The visit of Crystal Palace affords John Terry the opportunity to rack up his fourth double-figure haul of the season. Despite a single clean sheet in the last 10 Gameweeks, the Chelsea skipper sits third in the FPL defender rankings thanks to his attacking threat and bonus potential – with Palace scoring just three times on the road this term, there’s never been a better time for the Blues to pick up another shut-out.

A home game with Stoke hands Curtis Davies a Scout Picks call-up. With seven home games under their belt, Hull have conceded just three goals in front of their own fans and, with their visitors scoring in only one of their last three league matches, the Tigers stopper looks a solid shout for another clean sheet. Davies has scored just once so far but has registered the same number of efforts inside the box as Terry – a clear sign of his attacking potential for Steve Bruce’s side.

Steven Caulker is another attack-minded centre-half to earn a start as Cardiff prepare for the visit of West Brom. Despite being the costliest option amongst the Bluebirds’ backline, the summer signing has justified his 5.1 price tag – with 12 bonus points and a couple of goals so far, Caulker has accumulated at least 24 points more than any of Malky Mackay’s other defenders.

Yes, he played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s midweek win over Steaua Bucharest, but we expect Eden Hazard to retain his starting berth for the visit of Palace tomorrow. Jose Mourinho may have slammed his attackers after last week’s loss at Stoke but, with four sets of double figures in his last eight league games, the Belgian is the one player surely immune from his manager’s criticism and far too crucial to omit from the XI as the Blues look to bounce back from their Britannia defeat.

Three goals in his last five fixtures earns Leroy Fer a place in this week’s Picks. Coming in at just 5.9 in FPL, the Dutchman has also accrued a pair of assists this term and, since making his debut in Gameweek 2, has played a part in five of the Canaries’ subsequent 12 strikes. Sunday’s visitors Swansea have conceded in each of their last four road trips and, with Chico suspended and Michel Vorm a doubt, have real concerns at the back.

Back from a one-match suspension, Ravel Morrison looks set to return to the West Ham XI for the visit of Sunderland. Given that the Black Cats have managed a single clean sheet on the road all season, Sam Allardyce’s side will be confident of a goal or two and, with Kevin Nolan banned, the former United youngster may be handed the most advanced central midfield role – boosting his chances of adding to a tally of three goals and a pair of assists so far.

Romelu Lukaku is nailed-on for Everton’s home game against Fulham. The Belgian has averaged 6.4 points per game since rolling up to Merseyside in Gameweek 5 and, over his five home appearances, has already racked up scores of 16 points and 13 points against Newcastle and Liverpool respectively. The Cottagers may have improved under Rene Meulensteen but they’ll have their work cut out to remedy a woeful away record of five defeats in six road trips tomorrow.

Wayne Rooney gets the nod as United roll up to Villa Park this weekend. Back after serving a one-match suspension, he’ll be looking for a fourth successive double-figure haul on his travels against a backline likely to be without skipper Ron Vlaar once again – Paul Lambert’s side have conceded twice in all but one of their last four. With Robin van Persie ruled out for a month earlier today, Rooney is set to take up spot-kick duties and a major share of corners and set-pieces in the Dutchman’s absence.

Sergio Aguero is our final forward, as Luis Suarez is handed a rare day off from our selections. A home game against Arsenal is far from easy but Aguero has already racked up four sets of double figures in seven Etihad appearances, averaging 9.7 points per game in front of his own fans. If City are to grab the win which would reduce the gap between them the Gunners to just three points, the Argentine looks the man most likely to do the damage.

Mike Williamson’s budget appeal sees him make the bench as Newcastle prepare for the visit of Southampton. Coming in at a mere 4.4 in FPL, the centre-half has now started each of the last nine league matches for the Magpies – given that the Saints have scored just five times on their travels this term, Alan Pardew’s side will be confident of picking up a fourth clean sheet in seven attempts.

Ross Barkley is the third Everton player to make this week’s Picks squad. With James McCarthy suspended, the teenager’s chances of being rested for the visit of Fulham look slim, whilst the emergence of Gerard Deulofeu as a wide option is enough to dent our faith in Kevin Mirallas. As the Toffees go from strength to strength under Roberto Martinez, the 5.1 priced Barkley will be hoping to add to his tally of two goals and a couple of assists in 12 starts so far.

Newcastle’s Loic Remy is unluckily knocked to the bench for a St James’ Park clash against Southampton. With the visitors still hit hard by injuries, the Frenchman’s owners will be looking for further returns from a player who has scored or assisted in five of his six appearances in front of the Tyneside faithful.