Scout Picks – Gameweek 29

We move onto Gameweek 29 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 Az

My favourite goalkeeper gets the nod against an unpredictable Villa side. Even on his worst day, Costel Pantilimon, or ‘Pants’ to me and you, continues to rake in those save points. In defence, clean sheets are incredibly hard to pick this week – however, Branislav Ivanovic’s goal threat and goal-shy opponents makes him a standout choice. Hector Bellerin and Joleon Lescott are both capable of attacking returns with decent fixtures, so get the nod.

In midfield, Alexis Sanchez gets another chance to prove himself after netting at QPR, and David Silva is fast becoming a player who is capable of explosive returns. Philippe Coutinho and Jason Puncheon are real flair picks in this line up, I fancy both to do well against Swansea and QPR’s defences this weekend.

The forwards were an easy choice. Olivier Giroud is in form and completes my trio of Arsenal players – I think the Hammers are in for a hiding at the weekend. The form of Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane is too good to ignore. Aguero looks set to put Burnley to the sword and I fancy United’s defence to struggle to contain the “Harrikane”.

Jonty

With Arsenal, West Brom, Sunderland and Leicester all boasting strong budget options and good fixtures this Gameweek I’ve decided to opt for a mostly cheap backline and treat myself to a top draw, expensive strike force.

Doosra’s Deadly Assassin’s table has guided me to Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, who is among the Premier League’s sharpest shooters in recent weeks. I fancy he will start this match too against a Swansea side that has already conceded four goals against Liverpool this season.

Alongside him is Olivier Giroud, who has scored eight times in his last 10 Premier League games and has scored four in his last four appearances against West Ham.

As was pointed out earlier this week in our hot topics , Sergio Aguero’s away form has been remarkable in recent weeks, averaging 9 points per appearance in his last six away starts. His opponent’s Burnley also have one of the worst home records in terms of conceding shots in the box.

Opting for such an expensive attacking trio also means that I’m short in midfield. With just three slots available I’ve opted for the strong form of Eden Hazard and Mesut Ozil as well Jason Puncheon’s vital role dictating Crystal Palace’s set pieces and attacking play.

To beef up my budget backline I’ve also drafted in Branislav Ivanovic, who as Andy85wsm’s recent community article shows, is behaving more like an attacking midfielder of late.

Mark

To be honest, I imagine they’ll be little variation amongst the Picks for this Gameweek. The pool of attacking talent seems pretty obvious, although I’ve had to revert to a 4-4-2 setup to ensure I can catch it all.

Arsenal look so favourable against an injury-ravaged West Ham that they had to provide the backbone for my lineup; I’m sure they’re heavily represented throughout the other three selections. Olivier Giroud’s form is irresistible and, given that West Ham will turn up without three first-choice defenders, it seems inevitable that he’ll find his way onto the scoresheet once again.

The midfield pairing of Jason Puncheon and Philippe Coutinho are borderline differentials: both have the form and the level of influence to justify their selection alongside my heavy-hitters – Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez.

The inclusion of Jeffrey Schlupp and Craig Dawson liberates funds to spend in attacking areas. We’ve been courting the Leicester man all week as an option who could deliver at both ends at home to Hull City, while Dawson looks dependable enough for Stoke’s visit to the Hawthorns.

Hector Bellerin’s run of starts for the Gunners helps keep the defensive spend down, with Branislav Ivanovic a given in a Chelsea rearguard at home to a Southampton attack that has scored just two goals in their last six.

Paul

Villa’s dire away record makes Costel Pantilimon an obvious pick in goal – the midlands side have failed to score in six road trips. Branislav Ivanovic, Jeffrey Schlupp and Per Mertesacker all have favourable home clashes against sides struggling for goals – Ivanovic and Schlupp’s attacking impetus could play a part in their respective teams’ chances in the final third, whilst West Ham’s troubles in defence could prove key to Mertesacker’s prospects in the box.

City’s Champions League clash with Barcelona next midweek is a concern – both David Silva and Sergio Aguero were hauled off just before the hour mark in the Gameweek prior to the first leg. I’m going to overlook the Spaniard, then, and hand Aguero a role in the front three alongside Olivier Giroud and Harry Kane. The latter has scored in each of his last six road trips and a visit to Old Trafford will hold little fear.

Eden Hazard’s home form (three assists in five) is a worry but the Blues will be looking to make a statement after their European exit on Wednesday evening as Southampton roll up to the Bridge. Mesut Ozil is looking for a fourth successive 10+ home haul and I reckon his delivery will prove the undoing of the patched-up Hammers defence.

Jason Puncheon’s prospects look bright against a visiting QPR side that have conceded at least twice in 11 of their 13 road trips, whilst I’m going Philippe Coutinho for Liverpool’s trip to Swansea. With Raheem Sterling shifted to the flank in the last two, the Brazilian’s central role makes him a likelier source of points.

The Scores So Far

Mark emerged victorious in Gameweek 28 with a score of 57 points, four ahead of myself and leaving Jonty and The Community’s champion Andy85wsm, who both scored 47, in the shade.

Only the first match for Spurs and QPR counted towards Gameweek 28’s final score to ensure all community champions have an equal shot at the top Gameweek score prize of a £100 Amazon voucher.

Mark is now overall leader with a tally of 1445, followed by Jonty on 1443, myself with 1421 and The Community has 1351.