Scout Picks – Gameweek 17

With Sergio Aguero injured and Wayne Rooney still very much a doubt for United’s home game against West Ham, our targets have been somewhat altered over the last few days. Liverpool and City supply the Scout Picks XI with a couple of players apiece as we once more opt against the default 3-4-3 and roll out a four-man backline instead:

Julian Speroni takes his spot between the sticks as Palace prepare for the visit of Newcastle. Tony Pulis’ side have registered a shut-out in each of the last three home games and with Loic Remy toiling up top for the Magpies, another clean sheet could be on the cards at Selhurst Park tomorrow afternoon.

We draft in Patrice Evra for United’s home game with West Ham. Granted, the Frenchman is the priciest option at the back amongst David Moyes’ charges but he’s more than justified that so far and has accrued at least double the number of points than any defensive team-mate. Evra’s eye for goal came to the fore in the midweek cup win over Stoke and with the Hammers scoring just five times on their travels so far, United have a chance of registering a fourth successive shut-out in all competitions.

Jon Flanagan is called upon for Liverpool’s home clash with Cardiff. A move to 4-3-3, with Joe Allen and Lucas stationed in front of the back-four, served up a second clean sheet in the last 13 Gameweeks away to Spurs last Sunday and suggests Brendan Rodgers may have finally struck upon a better balance at both ends of the pitch. The Bluebirds have failed to score in four away games now, whilst Flanagan’s strike at the Lane last week highlights his value at 4.5.

Phil Bardsley gets the nod for Sunderland’s home clash against Norwich. Gus Poyet’s side have picked up in resilience at the back in recent weeks and registered three clean sheets in the last six league games – Bardsley has found the net twice over that run and offers the best chance of points at both ends of the pitch against a Canaries side with five goals on their travels all season.

A home clash with Hull brings Gareth McAuley into our thoughts. West Brom will be looking for a response after Steve Clarke’s dismissal last weekend and, with a couple of goals to his name already, the centre-half is a clear threat in the opposition area. Having struck just twice in their last four road trips, the Tigers’ lack of bite bodes well for a home clean sheet.

Handed his first start since Gameweek 4 last weekend, Theo Walcott’s brace at the Emirates served a reminder of his Fantasy potential. With Olivier Giroud failing to fire up front, Arsene Wenger can ill-afford to do without his wide man as Chelsea arrive at the Emirates on Monday evening – the Blues have lost three of their last four on the road in all competitions and have a single clean sheet in the last 11 Gameweeks.

We turn to the playmaking talents of David Silva as City make their way to Fulham. The fit-again Spaniard has stepped up in consistency under Manuel Pellegrini and has produced a goal or assist in six of his eight league appearances – Rene Meulensteen’s side have a single clean sheet in seven and look unlikely to improve upon that record tomorrow afternoon.

Eden Hazard also gets the nod for Monday night’s match. Arsenal are without Laurent Koscielny for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s men and the Belgian’s away form could prove crucial – two sets of double figures in his last three appearances on the road suggest that if the Blues are to grab the victory that would see them climb above their hosts, he’ll have a part to play.

Runaway leader of the most emphatic Captain Poll in memory, Luis Suarez will be hoping to wreak havoc on Cardiff in tomorrow’s lunchtime encounter. Seven sets of double figures in 11 league appearances, 72 points in his last four at Anfield, an overall season average of 12.3 points per game – the statistics are simply staggering. Few will go into this weekend without their armband hopes resting firmly on the Uruguayan.

A goal or assist in nine of his 12 appearances for Everton sums up the Fantasy consistency of Romelu Lukaku. Roberto Martinez takes his side to former club Swansea this weekend and having beaten United and drawn with Arsenal in their last two road trips, confidence could barely be higher – with Michael Vorm injured and Angel Rangel suspended, the Toffees will be looking to the big Belgian to wreak havoc against the hosts’ weakened backline.

With Sergio Aguero stuck in City’s treatment room nursing a calf injury, Alvaro Negredo comes into consideration for the trip to Fulham. There’s no denying his away displays have been poor but the Spaniard’s form is strong – three goals and an assist in his last four appearances suggest he represents a more than viable route into the most potent attack in the Premier League.

Marc Wilson gets a rare Scout Picks outing as Stoke welcome Villa to the Britannia. The Potters have three clean sheets in the last five and, with Paul Lambert’s side failing to score in three of their previous four, the hosts will fancy their chances of another shout-out.

Jordan Henderson makes the bench for Liverpool’s home game with Cardiff. A move to the advanced central midfield role behind Suarez harvested a goal, assist and couple of bonus points at Spurs last week – at 5.9, he looks a real budget friendly, mid-price option against the Bluebirds.

A goal in each of his last three league matches sums up Marouane Chamakh’s current form ahead of Palace’s clash with Newcastle. With plenty of crosses expected from out wide, the Moroccan has the chance to continue his impressive turnaround against a Magpies backline with a single clean sheet in five league matches.