Scout Picks – Gameweek 26

We move onto Gameweek 26 of this season’s Scout Picks, where 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, with the budget now sitting at 84.0 apiece for our starting line-ups.

The Community – Managed by Clam-a-Ram

Allan McGregor is the first member of my XI. He’s in decent form with a very good home fixture against fellow relegation candidates QPR. Next up are my pair of defensive big hitters: Branislav Ivanovic and Gael Clichy. I felt a Chelsea defender was a must-have this Gameweek and the upturn in Ivanovic’s attacking form is an additional bonus. Clichy received a rest so he should be nailed on ahead of a busy period for City – despite a recent lack of clean sheets, I fully expect a change versus a poor Newcastle team. Although originally picking Hector Bellerin I was forced into replacing him with Patrick Van Aanholt. The Dutchman has potential for attacking returns and the chance for a shut-out against a defensive-minded West Brom side.

Eden Hazard is “due” at home as Burnley pay visit and is one of the favourites for captaincy in FPL this weekend. Team-mate Oscar was rested against PSG in midweek so I’m anticipating a good showing from the Brazilian. Mesut Ozil is in excellent form and racked up 32 points in three appearances since a return from injury and now faces Palace. Victor Moses has been doing well for Stoke and is a little unlucky not to get amongst the points recently – he could prosper against an Aston Villa squad learning new tactics under Tim Sherwood.

Kun Aguero has come into form just before an excellent run of fixtures staring with Newcastle at home. Romelu Lukaku is an interesting choice this week as many would perceive him as a punt considering his lack of consistency and poor seasonal form. However, a plum fixture vs. Leicester is a fantastic opportunity for him to get on the scoresheet. My final pick is the man in incredible form – Harry Kane. A match against a depleted/probably demoralised West Ham squad affords Kane another opportunity to claim a massive haul.

Jonty

This is a rare thing, two Hull players in my picks. I’m not convinced QPR’s only away victory of the season against Sunderland this month is the start of a trend and I’m backing the Tigers’ stopper Allan McGregor to repeat his heroics against Aston Villa in Gameweek 25, when he earned a clean sheet and bonus points. I also like the look of Hull striker Dame N’Doye, who scored and assisted in his first start in Gameweek 25.

Another team that looks good for returns at both ends of the pitch is Chelsea. Branislav Ivanovic is currently more than justifying his premium price tag with his strong goal threat. Meanwhile, Eden Hazard looks good for at least an assist, according to my assists imminent table.

I’ve also doubled up on Manchester City, with Sergio Aguero seemingly back in goal scoring form, despite injury concerns. A return for Yaya Toure looks too good an opportunity for me to pass up on, especially as he retains penalty-taking duties when Aguero is off the pitch. Mesut Ozil continues to be my Arsenal midfielder of choice after racking up 32 points in the last three matches.

With three 10m plus players among my picks I’ve looked for strong budget options to complete my XI, with Tottenham proving a fruitful destination for my bargain hunting.. Harry Kane continues to make a mockery of his 6.3m price tag, while Moussa Dembele, who has been ably assisting Kane in recent weeks in a more advanced role, costs just 5.2m. Danny Rose, meanwhile, offers a route into the Spurs backline for just 4.8m.

Completing my defence is Everton’s Phil Jagielka, who looks a strong prospect for a clean sheet and adding to his 17 bonus points when relegation certainties Leicester visit.

Mark

Having been toppled at the summit of the Scout Picks challenge, I’m tempering my risks somewhat and sticking to some reliable point sources. Hence the selections of Eden Hazard, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero. Uninspiring but necessary. I’ll accept the “Dullard” tag this week and move on.

I have made a couple of gambles, though, adopting a Belgian theme throughout my spine with United’s Marouane Fellaini and Villa’s Christian Benteke both getting the nod. I class the pair as prime differentials this week. For me, Fellaini has to start against Swansea given his impact at Preston and his aerial threat. Surely Louis van Gaal will forget Big Sam’s opinion and opt to go more direct against a defence that notoriously struggle with crossed balls?

As for Benteke, I’m buying into this Tim Sherwood revolution. They guy is infectious and I just think he’ll get results in the first half dozen matches before the ideas perhaps run out. Villa wins and goals surely have to bring an end to the inexplicable Benteke lean spell.

Elsewhere, Ivanovic claims his customary starting berth in defence and I’ve partnered him with Laurent Koscielny and Seamus Coleman – both players who can chip in with attacking returns if the sheet gets ruined. Costel Pantilimon is in nets – I’ve doubts about the Sunderland shut-out with Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino on the prowl but the big Romanian is always good for those save points.

Paul

Chelsea’s home clash with Burnley allows me to draft in both Branislav Ivanovic and Eden Hazard. Fit-again Leighton Baines served up assists in two of his previous five before sustaining a knee problem and with a single goal conceded in four, Everton’s defence are vastly improved. Allan McGregor and Patrick van Aanholt offer decent sub-5.0 options for home clashes with QPR and West Brom.

Spurs pair Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane will take the game to West Ham on Sunday – after losing at Liverpool last time out, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be looking for a morale-boost prior to next weekend’s cup final against Chelsea. I’m backing Sergio Aguero to benefit from the return of Yaya Toure and kick on from last week’s double at Stoke.

Mesut Ozil is Arsenal’s form player away to Palace, whilst I’m gambling on the Eagles’ Yannick Bolasie as my midfield budget enabler – Alan Pardew’s men have already beaten Spurs at Selhurst Park since his arrival. Christian Benteke is undoubtedly a gamble but with Tim Sherwood determined to go on the offensive and visitors Stoke nursing a number of injury worries, I feel the big Belgian will benefit from his new manager’s approach.

The Scores So Far

Faith in Mesut Ozil ensured a strong week for Jonty, who scored 54, and Community champion Reedy, who notched 51. Meanwhile, Mark had a torrid time, scoring just 31, and I did little better with a score of 37.

In the overall standings Jonty takes the lead with 1293, following by Mark on 1291, myself on 1277 and the community on 1205.