The Scout Picks Community Champion Vote – Gameweek 25

Good luck all. As said in the article please be aware that we have a tight editorial turnaround for this so will need picks and explanation. I'll be sending over to Paul as soon as the vote closes tomorrow so will needed that explanation with your picks today.

................................Pantilimon
.........PvA...... ★ ......Koscielny......★ ......Bellerin
Ozil...... ★ ......Hazard...... ★ ......Oscar...... ★ ......Mane
.......Sturridge...... ★ ......Kane...... ★ ......Defoe

Costel Pantilimon
4.6m

Pantilimon's looming frame fills the goal. Seemingly just as a result of his own massive gravity, Panti attracts the ball like Tom Jones attracts panties. He hasn't failed to harvest save-points for seven gameweeks, so in the unlikely event that a QPR side deprived of their manager & star striker still finds a route to goal, the minimum return we can expect is 3pts.

Patrick van Aanholt
4.2m

PVA may be a relatively ineffectual adhesive, but this guy is nailed on. His attacking forays from left-back have earned him 3 league assists this season, and they've all come against teams in the bottom half of the table. You wouldn't bet against him adding to this tally against QPR, and a cleansheet looks all but assured.

Laurent Koscielny
5.9m

Arch rivals Spurs ended a 3-game run of cleansheets in the league for Arsenal, so a visit from bottom-of-the-league-Leicester could be just what they need to get right back on track (for efficiency, I borrowed Denial's keyboard to type the hyphenated bit). Koscielny has been a stand-out performer at the back and has nearly matched CB partner Mertesacker's points tally in almost half the pitch-time.

Hector Bellerin
4.5m

I was initially dubious of the amount of gametime young Bellerin would see, but he seems to have fended off competition from fellow adolescent Calum Chambers admirably. His recent goal at the Emirates came against strugglers Aston Villa and he could well be afforded more shooting practice against the hapless Leicester. In any case, he certainly does not deserve the rather unkind nicknames his surname has occasioned.

Mesut Ozil
8.9m

My third Gunner of choice has really hit the ground running on his return from injury, grabbing 2 goals in as many games, and chipped in with an assist as well. These have been impressive displays, too. Sometimes it is all one can do to look on in wide-eyed admiration...

Eden Hazard
10.8m

Chelsea host the Toffees this week in a clash that appears more of a mismatch than usual. Everton's form has looked a bit off all campaign, and the possible loss to injury of their dynamic hobbit Leighton Baines would only compound the visitors' problems. Hazard's form - by contrast - has been good; his trickery and pace will trouble Everton. The diminutive Belgian can really shift his substantial back-end when he wants to.

Lots of names Oscar
8.4m

Giving his full title would probably see me exceed the word limit, but Oscar - as we'll call him - has also earned a place in my midfield. I'm not expecting Everton to put up too much of a fight and I'm hoping that young Oscar here can take full advantage. 6 goals and 7 assists represent good value at this point in the season, and with Fabregas a doubt and Caudrado yet to settle into the team, the stage could be set for Oscar to shine once more.

Sadio Mane
6.5m

Mane - quite simply - is in scintillating form. With 3 goals in 3 games before leaving for ACoN, Mane - on his return - wasted no time in getting back amongst the goals. There may be competition for places in that Saints midfield but his has to be the first name on the teamsheet. With Pelle seemingly busy auditioning for the role of Eeyore in a panto production of Whinnie-the-Pooh only he is cognizant of, Mane's goals come at an opportune time for the Saints.

Daniel Sturridge
11.2m

We all know the dance. It could become a familiar sight again if he really is back from injury. His inclusion here is, admittedly, a bit of a risk; but with injury concerns over Sterling & Coutinho, I think Sturridge starts against Spurs if he at all can. He's the kind of player that can grab a haul even if only afforded a cameo role, but I'd be willing to bet he won't make the Scouts' team. He could be a very 'handy' differential.

Harry Kane
6.1m

There's just no way I can leave this guy out. Oh I've tried, believe me - but benchings always end the same way: in unmitigated disaster. I feel there could be another storm brewing this week, at Anfield. So two of my strikers face off against each other; but with the Bookies favouring both teams to score and over 2.5 goals, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Jermaine Defoe
6.0m

3 games he's played, and 3 games he's delivered attacking returns. Sunderland finally seem to have found themselves a consistent goalscorer; and so the lethal little striker makes up my trio of Black Cats. OK, he may not be quite the same player that left for the MLS, but then again...who knows?

Total splurge: 77.1m. That's actually pretty cheap! 🙂

DDG - Will Save United Again!
IVANOVIC - Nice Form scored a goal playing a gainst a cautious Everton side who will be more of defending rather than attacking
KOSC - Fine Form can score a header as well
PVA - Everyone's favorite to get a CS this time
OZIL - While Points may scatter for Arsenal in this Match it is highly likely he may get assist or goal.
HAZARD - Need I say more?
ERIKSEN - Set Piece may win this one!
MANE - Only Goalscoring player they have right now..Pelle off form, Tadic not doing anything
ROONEY - Don't want to pick Aguero (bad form) and he is the only guy who has decent chance to get some points for United but he is a shady pick
STURRIDGE - with both Sterling and Coutinho in doubt he may just as well shine.
DEFOE - Form

Panti

PvA, Reveilleire, Ivan

Hazard, Mane, Cazorla, Sanchez, Brunt

Aguero, Kane

Total: 81,7

I cannot see Qpr scoring against Sunderland with Austin also missing. Therefore I expect clean sheet points and maybe even an assist from PvA or Rev.

Ivan - home to Everton who don't look very dangerous. If Baines is missing, Ivan might even have less need to defend and can maraud in earnest.

Hazard - home game. In form. Always solid and rotation proof. Last time there was such a short gap between fixtures he played the full 90 in both games (gameweeks 13 & 14) and bagged a goal in the second game, showing no signs of fatigue.

Brunt - a goal and assist last match? Maybe West Brom CAN score. He's a good cheeky enabler punt at home to Swansea (also gives hope for more points till the very last minute of the gameweek).

Cazorla & Sanchez - Caz came off early last match so I'd expect him to start again. If Sanchez is fit he has to start and assuming he does, is the best captain option for the gameweek.

Mane - has already been on a scoring run earlier this season so is fully capable of repeating that.

Aguero - drop him at your peril. He's still as dangerous as can be and just needs a whiff of goal to get back into touch. He managed 2 assists even at what appears to be his lowest form levels of the season so far.

Kane - the main man. No explanation needed. Can score against anyone.

Hope I can get your votes 🙂

May be silly but I'm benching Kane and Phil Jones this GW

Foster
Terry - PVA - Bellerin
Silva - Sanchez - Hazard - ADM - Gil
Aguero - Defoe

Subs : - Kane / Jones / Bertrand / Hamer

Pantilimon
PVA - Kosc - Ivan
Hazard - Mane - Walcott - Sanchez
Defoe - Sturridge - Berahino

82.1M

Pants and PVA double up for Austinless QPR - these two offer more than just the cleansheet potential as everyone knows.

Kosc has hes nailed on and has goal threat in an easy home tie

Ivan because he continues to be the best option with threat at both ends, Everton struggling for goals.

Hazard and Sanchez as they are the stand out captain options

Walcott should start this one and is one of the few mids with brace and hatrick potential

Mane because he is a goalscorer in a team craving one, he played as the most advanced mid and often ran beyond Pelle.

Defoe - form and fixture

Sturridge as i expect him to start and cause Spurs problems, Spurs have history for crumbling away to big sides

Berahino as my punt - following Pullis comments he should start and with Anichebe out could be up top. I expect him to answer his critics and has pens also.

Let the current Mods and Cons champion take the scouts down a peg or two!!!!!

No teams with Giroud yet?

Foster 4.6
Ivanovic 7.3 - PVA 4.2 - Koscielny 5.9
Hazard 10.8 - Walcott 8.9 - Coutinho 7.7 - Mane 6.5
Giroud 8.4 - Defoe 6 - Kane 6.1

76.4

My first attempt ever:

Costel Pantilimon,

Patrick van Aanholt, Yoshida, Branislav Ivanovic,

Eden hazard, Walcott, Di Maria, Mane,

Aguero, Giroud, Defoe.
83.4

Panti, PVA, : Sunderland tend to tighten up at home and given that they face a managerless QPR with Austin out bodes well for them. Add to that PVA's potential for assist and Panti's save points. Looks good for a cleanie.

Yoshida: Targett out, Bertrand suspended ensures that Yoshida will start and given Southampton's stable rearguard, they could be in for a shutout.

Ivanovic: Sublime form and chelsea at the bridge, with Baines a doubt on the left.

Hazard: One of the best mids around with sizzling form.

Walcott: Personally feel, his pace could kill Leicester and given that he is rested could help.

Di Maria: A Burnley side at Old Trafford could help united regain lost ground. Di Maria has always been a live wire. It could certainly be his night.

Mane: The fellow has a knack of scoring goals and has scored in 4 of his last 5.

Aguero: Could explode any time.

Giroud: On form and leicester at home. Giroud will most definitely be leading the line against a hapless Leicester.

Defoe: Given that Kane is facing Pool at Anfield, I choose Defoe. 3 games in and contributions in all 3. Also with a QPR defence at the stadium of light, Defoe looks a prime candidate for Sunderland to get the goals.

Thanks. Please Vote.

Hello everyone. I would like to represent the community this week. These are my picks:

Panti

PVA Terry Koschielny

Sanchez Hazard Punch ADM

Gru Defoe Kun

Total: 80.2

- I decided to double up on Sunderland defense with Panti and PVA. Should be an easy CS with QPR missing Austin and them being terrible away from home anyway. They also concede a lot of goals away so I went with Defoe who has had attacking returns in all 3 games he played

- I also tripled up on Arsenal who have an easy home fixture against a woeful Leceister. I think Sanchez will be fit so he is a no brainer (If he does not start then I'll go with Walcott instead). Koscielny is a good bet for a CS and is also a baps magnet too. Giroud is also in good scoring form. I think he starts since Welbeck played 3 days ago and he just came back from injury.

- Chelsea have been solid at home and Everton are low scoring atm so I picked Terry. Hazard is always a good choice at home as well.

- Palace are in a decent form so I took a punt on Puncheon.
- Kun and ADM have disappointed lately surprisingly but I am hoping they redeem themselves.

What was the highest community score so far Jonty?

Hello!
going to give this a shot!!
Team is less than 82mm

de Gea
PVA/Terry/Koscielny
Hazard/Di Maria/Mane/Sanchez
Giroud/Kane/Defoe

de Gea -One of Utd's better players, tasty fixture for clean sheet

PVA- attacking threat, possible clean sheet
Terry- attacking threat, possible clean sheet
Koscielny- attacking threat, possible clean sheet

Hazard top top player, set pieces
Di Maria Last chance saloon
Sanchez toss up between him & Cazorla, I expect him to be back in the mix of points.
Mane best attacking mid for Southampton last few games

Giroud in the attacking points last few games, too many mid choices, safer bet here.
Kane Form over Fixtures
Defoe 2 goals and 1 assist last 3 games

This team pulled an estimated 116pts in the return fixtures back in August!!

Green
Jones/Evans/Williams
Schneiderlin/Dyer/Puncheon/Matic
Diouf/Costa/Austin

I feel this system isn't right. People are just upvoting known faces around and are not considering the actual consideration which is against the scout. If you're funny, you get the vote.

Thought i would give this a go this week. Start the community fight back

Foster

Van Aanholt Ivanovic Bellerin

Mane Di maria Puncheon Sanchez Hazard

Defoe Giroud

Foster(4.6m)- Playing swansea at home who have lacked a cutting edge without bony. I also feel pulis will tighten up after conceding 5 in two games

Van Aanholt( 4.3m)- Very good fixture against QPR. Has a good attacking threat and i can see sunderlan adding to their impressive tally of 8 clean sheets this season

Ivanovic (7.3m)- a goal and 3 assists in last 5 games and playing for the team with the most clean sheets this season. Everton have also only scored two in their last 5 games

Koscielny (5.9m)- Cant see leicester scoring and with arsenal likely to get alot of corners he is probably arsenals best header of a ball

Hazard(10.8)- Highest scoring midfielder and has a great home record. On penalties and always likely to get you some points

Sanchez(11.2m)- I think he will play, arsenal need a good result and he is there best player. !44 points already and i can see him scoring against leicester as he did in the reverse fixture

Puncheon(4.6m)- Pardew will have palace up for this game against his old club. Puncheon when he has started has a good record in this seaon and previous ones

Mane(6.5m)- Was in great form before his injury and after scoring last week i expect him to continue that form. In my opinion southamptons biggest goal threat atm

Di maria(9.6m)- Yes i know united have been crap and so has di maria but the put 3 pass leicester and see a few goals for united here and we all know di maria is a better player that he has been showing and he will come good again and when is a better time than burnley at home

Defoe(6.0m)- At home to QPR who have injury problems at the back and less face it if the cant defend with there first choice defenders what hope will they have without them. Got two goals already for sunderland

Giroud(8.4m)- 7 goals and two assists in 13 games of which he hasnt played a full game in all but two of them. Now he is fully fit and at home to leicester we all know the likely outcome

Total value 80.2m

Can anyone tell me why Aguero got 3 points for an assist when the goal came from a James Milner free kick?????

I never realised you got an assist for that, thanks!

Pantilimon

Ivanovic - Bellerin - Clyne

Ozil - Manè - Hazard - Cazorla

Aguero - Kane - Defoe

81.9

A few notes:

Yes, a defense all made of right backs. Ivanovic because whether he concedes or not he can still get points.

Clyne because i don't feel like i want to underestimate the saints' defense even against West Ham.

Two Arsenal midfielders against Leicester might deliver lots of points.

Aguero because after two assists he'll have to score at some point.

Having a go!

Panti
Terry - Moreno - Bellerin
Caz - Oscar - Haz(c) - ADM - Mane
Aguero - Defoe

=83.5

Panti (4.6) - Good chance for cleanie + loves them save points
Terry (6.7) - Fancy a cleanie + some Baps
Moreno (5.1) - Seems overlooked. Pewl have scored 15 goals in the last four Premier League meetings with Spurs, while the Lilywhites have failed to register on the scoresheet in any of the last three. Kane's form is the only counter I can find!
Bellerin (4.5) - Nailed, cheap, facing Leicester

Caz (8.5) - On pens, in fine form, vsing Leicester..
Oscar (8.4) - Oscar is great value at the moment, with Fab out I see him stepping up.
Haz (10.6) - In good form, on pens, feeling a haul. Probably will captain
ADM (9.6) - Only in here because UTD are facing Burnley. I feel it's ADM's last chance. He is class, great chance to show it here
Mane (6.5) - Great form

Aguero (12.8) - It's Aguero
Defoe (6.0) - Scored decently in the last 3 gameweeks, looks like the most likely to be pulling in points out of Sunderlands attacking players.

Interesting gameweek coming up!

I have 2 free transfers already so don't want to not make one as it would be wasted. I can't carry 3 over to next week. Any suggestions?

Ospina (Foster)
Terry - PVA - Wisdom - (Gardos) (Wolschied)
Sanchez - Hazrd - Sterling - Hendo - (Boyd)
Aguero - Kane - Giroud

Both Wisdom and Gardos will be sold immediately if dropped long term so I was gonna wait a week for selling Wisdom in case he gets back in. Target is out this week so Gardos should start. Long term I am looking at dropping Giroud for Sturridge and Gardos for Alderweireld when fit.
2m ITB