Scout Picks – Gameweek 8

It’s time for the eighth set of Scout Picks for 2015/16 this evening before the second international break is upon us. We triple up on Man City for their home encounter with Newcastle, whilst West Ham and Bournemouth supply us with a couple of players apiece as we keep faith in a 3-5-2 formation.

For the start of the season, the budget for the Scout Picks and Community XI is capped at 82.5m, though this will be increased as the campaign progresses.

West Ham’s Adrian earns his place between the posts away to a Sunderland side that has drawn blanks in each of the last three Gameweeks. Given that the Hammers have conceded just once on their travels, despite facing Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City, the chances of a shut-out against the basement-dwellers look strong.

Aleksandar Kolarov comes in for City’s home clash with Newcastle. The Magpies have failed to score in any of their three away matches under Steve McClaren, whilst the Serbian’s raids down the left means he leads the way for shots (12) and is joint-top for key passes (also 12) amongst defenders.

Scott Dann’s threat in the box has already helped the Palace centre-half serve up a goal and assist in six appearances. Having registered a clean sheet and maximum bonus at Watford last week, he now faces a West Brom side that’s scored just twice in their three road trips.

Simon Francis plays hosts to a Watford outfit that’s drawn blanks in four of the first seven Gameweeks. The Bournemouth right-back has equalled Kolarov for chances created this season and has also chipped in with two assists and four bonus points for Eddie Howe’s side.

Kevin de Bruyne’s eye for goal ensures the Belgian keeps his place in the Scout Picks midfield. Having scored in three of his first four starts in all competitions for City, we’re backing the in-form summer signing over fit-again David Silva for Newcastle’s visit tomorrow.

Dimitri Payet is our West Ham attacker of choice for the trip to basement-dwellers Sunderland. The Frenchman has served up 29 points in three appearances since Slaven Bilic moved to a 4-2-3-1, playing a part in four of his side’s six goals over that period. Given that the Black Cats have conceded more times (16) than any other side and the Hammers are joint-top for goals scored (15), Payet’s owners could be in line for more returns.

Chelsea’s home clash with Southampton brings Eden Hazard into consideration. The Belgian has produced returns in each of the last two Gameweeks – including a ten-point haul in his previous home appearance – and will fancy his chances up against the Saints’ attack-minded right-back Cedric Soares.

We’re avoiding Riyad Mahrez and instead turn to Norwich playmaker Wes Hoolahan as the pair go head-to-head at Carrow Road. The Republic of Ireland international has played a part in three of his side’s four home goals this season and has produced more assists (five) than any player in the top-flight. At a price of 5.1, he faces a Foxes side that’s failed to keep out their opponents in the first seven outings.

With Callum Wilson sidelined, Matt Ritchie’s contribution will be vital as Bournemouth entertain Watford. The Scot – who scored in his previous home appearance – fired five attempts against Stoke last weekend and has now produced 17 efforts for the season; that’s on a par with Santi Cazorla and just one less than Juan Mata, for example.

Five goals in the last four Gameweeks brings Jamie Vardy into our starting XI. Having produced points in six of his seven appearances, the Leicester forward has the chance to justify his recent bandwagon against a Norwich side without a clean sheet to their name. In terms of shots inside the box over the last four, Vardy leads Riyad Mahrez by 14 shots to four, highlighting his importance to the Foxes’ cause.

Last but not least is Sergio Aguero. Will this be the Gameweek where his season finally kick-starts into life? Having scored the midweek winner over Wolfsburg, there’s hope that the runaway leader of this week’s Captain Poll can finally show his class and put the Magpies’ porous backline to the sword, as City attempt to recover from back-to-back league defeats.

Villa’s raiding left-back Jordan Amavi makes the bench for a home encounter against Stoke. The Frenchman produced his second assist in four Gameweeks against Liverpool last time out, whilst the Potters have drawn blanks in three of the opening seven matches.

Ross Barkley comes in for Everton’s home derby clash with Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers’ men have conceded nine times in the last four now and the Toffees’ playmaker has impressed in front of his own fans, earning a couple of nine point-returns in the first three at Goodison.

Having scored Villa’s last three goals in all competitions, Rudy Gestede looks in fine form. At just 5.8, the Benin international entertains a Stoke side that’s yet to keep out their opponents in the absence of injured skipper Ryan Shawcross.

THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Having scrapped the weekly vote idea from last season, we now operate a lottery system to pick our weekly candidates. The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

Last week saw The Blue of Leicester trump us by 11 points, though he failed to overhaul Massive (16 points) in the race to claim a £100 Amazon voucher for beating the Scouts by the biggest margin.

This week’s Community champions is Supersonic. Now in his 10th season of FPL management he is a wily veteran, finishing last season in 386th and with two other top 10,000 finishes under his belt. He has also opted for a 3-5-2 but has picked just three of the same starting XI: Hart, Alderweireld, Cresswell, Francis, Hazard, Sterling, Silva, Mata, Payet, Sakho, Pelle.