Scout Picks – Gameweek 20

We load up on a trio of Arsenal options ahead of tomorrow’s home clash against Cardiff. Liverpool and City also supply us with a couple of players apiece as the first batch of Scout Picks for 2014 make their debut this evening:

Vito Mannone gets the nod between the sticks as Sunderland welcome Villa to the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats stopper has racked up three clean sheets in the last four Gameweeks, whilst Paul Lambert’s side have scored just twice in the previous five – a home shut-out could well be on the cards, then.

A home game against Cardiff offers Per Mertesacker further chance of points. With a couple of goals and 15 bonus points to his name thus far, the big German has racked up at least 30 points more than any defensive team-mate and, with the visitors notching only once in their last five road trips, he’ll fancy his chances of another clean sheet tomorrow.

Seamus Coleman is nailed on for Everton’s trip to Stoke. The Toffees’ free-scoring defender makes the Picks for attacking potential alone – four goals in his last seven fixtures highlights the right-back’s current form and, with the Potters scoring just three times over the previous four Gameweeks, he’ll be confident of earning a ninth clean sheet of the campaign.

Liverpool’s home clash with Hull affords Martin Skrtel a chance to impress. With two goals in his last nine appearances, his aerial threat gets the nod over Glen Johnson – the likely return of Steven Gerrard boosts the Slovakian’s appeal from set-pieces. Hopes of a home clean sheet are high, too, given that the Tigers have scored just three times in their last five on the road.

Four goals and an assist in his last four starts highlight the current form of Theo Walcott. Earlier this morning, Arsene Wenger revealed the winger is set for a late fitness test ahead of the visit of Cardiff but, after being pictured in training, we’re confident he’ll feature. Given that the Bluebirds have conceded at least twice in four of the last five Gameweeks, Walcott could rack up the points tomorrow afternoon.

A trip to Southampton affords Eden Hazard the chance to continue his outstanding festive form. The Belgian has racked up three sets of double-figure hauls over December alone and looks Chelsea’s most likely source of goals against an injury-hit Saints side with a single clean sheet in the last nine Gameweeks.

Rested for the weekend win over Palace, Yaya Toure is set to return for City’s trip to Swansea in tomorrow lunchtime’s early kick-off. The Ivorian has registered double-figure returns in two of his last three road trips and, with set-piece and spot-kick duties bolstering his appeal, he could be on course for further returns as Manuel Pellegrini’s free-scoring side look for a fifth successive victory.

A trip to West Brom brings Yohan Cabaye into the fold. The Frenchman has scored in three of his last four appearances and is clearly thriving in a more advanced role in “the hole” behind Loic Remy – given that the Baggies have just conceded three to West Ham, he could be set to plunder the points once again.

Luis Suarez is an overwhelming armband favourite for Liverpool’s home clash against Hull. As the Reds look to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats at City and Chelsea, the Uruguayan’s contribution will be key – luckily for Fantasy managers, Suarez has registered 88 points over his last five home appearances and, with double-figure hauls in all of those fixtures, the Tigers look hard-pushed to keep him in check.

Handed no more than a late second-half sub appearance against Palace at the weekend, Alvaro Negredo looks poised to lead the line once again as City roll up to Swansea. The Spaniard has scored or assisted in five of his last six starts and, with the Welsh club managing a single clean sheet in 10 attempts, Negredo’s growing band of Fantasy owners will be looking for further points at the Liberty.

With Olivier Giroud injured, we turn to Lukas Podolski for Arsenal’s home encounter with Cardiff. Given that Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky are also doubts, tomorrow’s game is surely the ideal time to finally hand the German his first start since Gameweek 2 – whether it’s up top or on the left, his goal and assist off the bench against West Ham on Boxing Day highlight Podolski’s capabilities.

Palace’s Joel Ward gets the nod ahead of a home clash with Norwich. Coming in at 4.1, the defender has recently been shifted into central midfield by Tony Pulis and is looking for a fourth clean sheet in five at Selhurst Park against a Canaries side that have found the net once in their last three fixtures.

Adnan Januzaj warms the bench for United’s home game with Tottenham. Handed a sub role against Norwich at the weekend, we reckon the youngster is set to return to the starting XI in tomorrow evening’s encounter – with a goal and assist over two of his last three starts, Januzaj could pose Tim Sherwood’s troops plenty of problems.

Danny Welbeck joins his team-mate as a sub. We’d love to have Wayne Rooney as one of the three forwards but trying to second-guess David Moyes is simply impossible and ultimately a risk we’ve deemed unnecessary – Welbeck looks an assured starter by comparison and has produced four goals and an assist over the last four Gameweeks.