Scout Picks – Gameweek 19

The quick turnaround in fixtures means we’re reverting back to last season’s Scout Picks format, with just a single set of players in our article. We’ll also retain this in midweek due to the hectic schedule before returning to our new format in time for Gameweek 21.

We’re backing Hull to keep out basement-dwellers Leicester tomorrow afternoon and turn to Allan McGregor between the sticks. Steve Bruce’s side have conceded just once in their last two at the KC and will be buoyed by their Boxing Day win at Sunderland – Leicester, on the other hand, have taken one points from their last 11 league outings and have mustered a mere four goals on their travels all season.

Rested for Friday’s win at West Brom, Pablo Zabaleta is in line for a recall at home to Burnley. City have conceded just two in their last six, whilst the right-back has served up a goal and assist in his previous three league appearances – points at both ends of the pitch look a definite possibility, then.

Let’s face it, Stoke’s defence have hardly been convincing but a clean sheet at Everton bodes well ahead of a derby home encounter with West Brom. The Potters’ skipper Ryan Shawcross comes into contention, then, with the visitors scoring in just one of their last three road trips, whilst the centre-half’s threat in the opposition box strengthens his appeal against the Baggies.

Villa’s home clash with Sunderland convinces us to select one of Paul Lambert’s regular defenders. The Black Cats make their way to the midlands having scored just one goal in their last three on the road and we’re placing our faith in Alan Hutton to replicate the form which saw him find the net in his previous home encounter.

A goal away to Burnley means Raheem Sterling has netted three times in four appearances across all competitions since being moved to the centre of the front three. Intriguingly, Sterling has produced more shots (12), efforts in the area (eight) and attempts on target (six) than any other midfielder in the last three Gameweeks as a result of his new role – he’ll fancy his chances of delivering against a visiting Swansea side with a single win in their last six road trips.

With Olivier Giroud stuck in the stands as a result of his Boxing Day moment of madness, Alexis Sanchez’ stock is on the rise again. The Chilean’s eye for goal could well see him shifted back into a central role as Arsenal roll up to West Ham – the showdown against Big Sam’s side is far from straightforward but Sanchez’ five goals in three appearances through the middle prior to Giroud’s return from an ankle injury highlights his potential.

Three goals and an assist in the last two matches in a false nine system makes David Silva an automatic pick. Subbed off just after the hour mark as his manager looks to protect him over the festive period, the little Spaniard is set to be unleashed from the start at home to Burnley tomorrow and has the form to wreak havoc on Sean Dyche’s struggling side.

Christian Eriksen welcomes United to the Lane on the back of yet another goal scoring display. Tottenham’s great Dane took his tally to four strikes, two assists and 10 bonus points in his last seven league outings after firing the winner away to Leicester on Friday. Granted, the Red Devils won’t make it easy but with just a single clean sheet on their travels all season – at Burnley in Gameweek 3 – United’s rearguard are in for a tough time as the hosts go in search of a fourth straight league victory.

An average of 7.7 points per home appearance cements Charlie Austin’s spot in our Gameweek 19 picks as QPR welcome managerless Palace to Loftus Road. Six goals and two assists in the last four in front of his own fans makes a mockery of a 6.2 price tag – Harry Redknapp’s side have scored at least twice in each of their last seven at Loftus Road and look poised to heap more misery on their out-of-sorts visitors.

Back in form against the Hammers, Diego Costa will be looking to fire Chelsea to another victory away to Southampton. The Saints have arrested a recent run of form and served up back-to-back victories but have, nonetheless, lost two of their last three at St Mary’s, with both City and United plundering the points. Jose Mourinho’s side will be looking to maintain that three-point gap over City and with Eden Hazard yet to score on his travels, we’re placing our faith in Costa to do the business instead.

In a season blighted by injury and suspension, Christian Benteke has yet to explode as a Fantasy force. The Villa forward hosts Sunderland in the first of three home fixtures in the next four Gameweeks and, having bagged a superb goal and couple of bonus points against United in his previous Villa Park appearance, he’ll be looking to condemn Gus Poyet’s side to another defeat tomorrow afternoon.

QPR centre-half Steven Caulker has produced more efforts inside the box than any defender this season ahead of a derby home clash with Palace. Bearing in mind the visitors have a single goal in their last four road trips, Caulker’s prospects look promising for this one.

A home clash with Arsenal affords West Ham the chance to bounce back from their defat at Chelsea. Big Sam’s side have dropped just two points in their last seven at Upton Park, whilst the Gunners have conceded twice in three of their last four on the road – with that in mind, Stewart Downing earns the nod on the back of a series of consistent displays which have seen him score of assist in four of his last five appearances.

We’re rolling the dice on our final option and handing Bojan Krkic a rare Scout Picks outing. The Spaniard’s spot-kick duties helped Stoke to a crucial win at Everton on Friday and his quality could prove the difference as the Potters look to get one over midlands rivals West Brom at the Britannia.