Scout Picks – Gameweek 18

Forkfuls of sprouts and turkey stuffing are all very good and seasonal but let’s face it, Fantasy managers have greater feasts to consider at this time of year. With three Gameweeks on our plate over the next eight days before the small matter of a winter wildcard, planning and preparation replaces rest and relaxation as our festive plans kick into overdrive. Here’s who we have for you ahead of tomorrow’s deadline:

With three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks, John Ruddy gets the nod between the sticks. The Norwich stopper welcomes Fulham to Carrow Road tomorrow afternoon and, with Dimitar Berbatov still a real doubt for the visitors, he could be poised for another shut-out against Rene Meulensteen’s strugglers.

Seamus Coleman is a nailed-on pick for Everton’s home clash with Sunderland. The Black Cats roll up to Goodison having failed to score in each of their last five road trips, whilst Coleman’s attacking potential has served up three goals in the last five Gameweeks – a tally greater than any other defender has managed all season.

Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker also offers the prospect of points at both ends of the pitch. The Gunners head to West Ham on the back of a sixth clean sheet in nine and, with their hosts drawing blanks in five of the last nine, Sam Allardyce doesn’t have his problems to seek right now. Mertesacker’s threat in the box has already produced two goals, whilst a tally of 12 bonus points has been beaten by only two other defenders thus far.

A home game with West Brom earns Kyle Walker a call-up. The Baggies have scored just a single goal in the last three and, with caretaker boss Keith Downing promising rotation, hopes of a home clean sheet look promising – with a share of set-pieces and corners, allied with his marauding runs down the right, the Tottenham right-back could pose the visitors problems aplenty in Tim Sherwood’s first home league match in charge.

Yaya Toure just edges out City team-mate David Silva for the home game against Liverpool. He may be labeled a “template” signing but the Ivorian’s consistency is simply too good to overlook here – he has scored or assisted in every appearance in front of his own fans this term and has set-pieces and, in the absence of Sergio Aguero, spot-kicks to further his points potential. Silva remains an outstanding option, however, particularly for those seeking that crucial differential.

Yohan Cabaye is another consistent midfield option. The Newcastle man has now scored or assisted in eight of the last 12 Gameweeks and was shifted into an advanced role behind Loic Remy away to Crystal Palace last weekend as Alan Pardew rolled out a 4-2-3-1. Up against a Stoke side that have shipped 10 goals in their last four on the road, Cabaye looks real value at just 6.5 for this Gameweek.

Having bagged a brace at the Etihad in his previous away appearance, we’re banking on Theo Walcott to produce as Arsenal look to return to winning ways at West Ham. Sam Allardyce’s side may have kept out the likes of Fulham and Sunderland in recent weeks but Chelsea, United and Liverpool have all put three or more past them over the last six, suggesting Walcott could be set for a prosperous Boxing Day afternoon.

We call upon Eden Hazard as Chelsea prepare for a home game with Swansea. The Belgian looks the one attacker immune to his manager’s rotational whims and, with four sets of double figures in his last nine, Hazard’s explosive potential is obvious against a backline that have mustered a single clean sheet in the last eight Gameweeks.

A trip to the Etihad will hold no fear for Luis Suarez. Some may be reluctant to hand him the armband but this season’s Fantasy phenomenon will be looking for a fifth straight set of double figures against a City side that have conceded twice to West Brom and Fulham and shipped three to Arsenal in the last four fixtures alone.

Alvaro Negredo also gets the nod for the City-Liverpool showdown. With Sergio Aguero injured, Manuel Pellegrini can ill-afford to do without the Spaniard as the hosts look for the win that would see them leapfrog the Merseysiders – Negredo has scored or assisted in each of his last seven home appearances and, with City averaging over four goals per game at the Etihad, Liverpool’s defensive record of two clean sheets in 14 bodes well for the hosts.

Wayne Rooney gets the nod as United make their way to Hull. One of only two sides to prevent Suarez from picking up the points over his 12 appearances, Steve Bruce’s side are no pushovers at the KC and have conceded just three times in front of their own supporters. Nonetheless, with three sets of double figures in his previous four road trips, Rooney’s form could prove the Tigers’ undoing.

Steven Caulker gets the nod for Cardiff’s home clash against injury-hit Southampton. Malky Mackay’s side have two clean sheets in the last four Gameweeks, whilst their visitors have notched just twice in their previous three road trips – with a couple of goals to his name already, the summer signing looks the best bet for points at both ends of the pitch.

Three goals and an assist in the last seven Gameweeks highlight Leroy Fer’s current form. The Norwich midfielder plays host to a Fulham side that have conceded four times in each of the last two and will be optimistic of further returns at Carrow Rod tomorrow.

A run of four matches without a goal forces Romelu Lukaku onto the bench. The Everton forward will fancy his chances of breaking that unwanted streak, though – visitors Sunderland have Wes Brown banned and John O’Shea doubtful, suggesting the Belgian could be poised for a prosperous afternoon. If you own him, you keep him. Whisper it, some may even hand him the armband.