Scout Picks – Gameweek 7

We’re onto Gameweek 7 of this season’s Scout Picks, where every Friday, Mark, Jonty, a different member of the community and I pick an XI for the upcoming round of fixtures. Each week, our line-ups go head-to-head and over the course of the season we’ll be keeping a tally of the points as we go along.

Similarly to the last four Gameweeks, we’ve kept the budgets at 83.5m apiece for our starting line-ups.

The Community – as managed by Green Windmill

With an election promise to be guided by the Rate My Team computer, I have used the Fantasy Football Scout tool to come up with the best team within the allocated budget.

At the back, Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel faces a Burnley side without a goal in their last five, while Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno offers the chance of attacking points should his side breach West Brom’s backline. Hull registered eight clean sheets at the KC last term and RMT has opted for both Curtis Davies and Michael Dawson – given that visitors Palace netted three at Everton on their last road trip, this is definitely a high-risk tactic, but one with potentially rich rewards.

Gylfi Sigurdsson makes the cut for Swansea’s home clash with Newcastle, though Liverpool dominate my midfield, with the RMT computer strongly backing the set plays of Steven Gerrard and attacking prowess of Raheem Sterling. Eden Hazard is another premium midfielder backed for Chelsea’s home encounter with the Gunners.

Up front, Leonardo Ulloa’s home form earns him the nod. Robin van Persie’s pedigree and Diego Costa’s outstanding form make these two a must, according to the mechanics of technology.

Jonty

With just one goal scored all season, Burnley’s opponents Leicester look the best place for a clean sheet – at 4.5, Kasper Schmeichel looks excellent value. As with last week I’ve let the Puntmaster guide me and opted for West Ham’s James Tomkins, who offers decent goal threat for the visit of QPR.

For Swansea, who take on Newcastle at home, Ashley Williams is my pick after figuring prominently in my article this week on bonus point magnets. With 5.8m remaining for a defender I’ve turned to RMT, as the community has done – Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno comes out top here and hops into my team.

Oscar has been the best Chelsea midfielder over the last four Gameweeks for shots in the box and penalty area touches and earns a place in my side. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s goal threat may have diminished but his assist potential remains strong. Raheem Sterling is another whose threat has dropped but a home tie against West Brom looks too good an opportunity to turn down. In Wayne Rooney’s absence, Angel Di Maria will be required to step up against an Everton defence that has shipped 10 goals in the last four Gameweeks.

As a Brighton fan, I’m delighted to welcome old boy Leonardo Ulloa into my side. He is second only to Diego Costa when it comes to shots in the box on home turf this season, whilst the latter’s six goals in his last four continue to make him essential. Finally, Sergio Aguero gives me Manchester City attacking cover against a Villa side that has conceded seven in the last
four Gameweeks.

Mark

There appear to be some strong value options on offer in defence and midfield this week, making it far easier to throw funds at the forward line and get in some heavy-hitters. I’ve had to stick with Diego Costa given his insistence that he’s fit to face Arsenal and, alongside him, I’ve opted for Sergio Aguero. I’m not totally convinced on his pitch time but an hour should be enough for him to deal damage and come away with at least another goal to his name. Leonardo Ulloa completes my front line, although I was very tempted to opt for Jamie Vardy instead. That would have been a heart over head decision so I’ve played it safe and opted for the big Argentine.

In midfield I’ve gone largely for creators. With no United cover up front, reluctantly, I opted for Angel Di Maria; my head was almost turned by Juan Mata but I’m not yet convinced he’s certain starter against Everton, despite Wayne Rooney’s suspension.

Stewart Downing and Dusan Tadic are in such strong form, I just can’t ignore them. The latter will be tested at White Hart Lane but I just think the Saints have momentum, and, while Tadic is yet to deliver on his true potential in Fantasy terms, I think a flurry of points is on the horizon. Raheem Sterling was the obvious choice to round things off – for me, he’s the most direct goal threat available in midfield. However, I can see a leggy Liverpool struggling to break down the Baggies so I’ve backed Gylfi Sigurdsson to wake from his slumber and inspire a Swansea win over Newcastle.

At the back, there’s plenty of funds saved, with Leicester, West Ham and Sunderland my tips for clean sheets. I fancy James Tomkins to bring a goal threat against QPR, while Wes Morgan has the edge over the 4.0 Liam Moore, purely for presence in the opponents box. Patrick van Aanholt gives me lively cover of the Sunderland rearguard at home to Stoke, while I’ve gone for Lukas Fabianski in goal: I can’t see Newcastle getting too much change from their trip to Swansea.

Paul

I’m doubling up on City for the trip to Villa – Sergio Aguero’s four goals in six appearances gets the nod, whilst I’m willing to take a punt on Aleksandar Kolarov – he’s failed to start the last two and if Manuel Pellegrini continues his rotation policy, should come in to face the midlanders.

Swansea pair Lukas Fabianksi and Gylfi Sigurdsson come into contention for the home clash against Newcastle. The Swans have conceded once at home and the Magpies have yet to score on the road, whilst Sigurdsson has assisted three of his side’s four goals at the Liberty.

James Tomkins is second amongst defenders for shots in the box in the last four and faces a QPR side with one away goal so far, whilst Patrick van Aanholt is seeking a third straight clean sheet at home to Stoke. Raheem Sterling and Angel di Maria are showing better form than any forward alternatives for Liverpool and United, whilst I’m opting for Dusan Tadic as the Saints look to get one over Mauricio Pochettino.

Up top, both Diego Costa and Leonardo Ulloa have scored in every home appearance so far – underlining their points potential as Arsenal and Burnley come calling.

The Scores So Far

Jonty chalked up a narrow win in Gameweek 6, edging Mark by 63 points to 62. I took third with 51, whilst the community, as managed by Giggs Boson, picked up 42 points. This means that after five rounds of fixtures, I have 332 points, Mark has 324, Jonty has 303 and The Community has 278.