Scout Picks – Gameweek 12

We roll out the twelfth set of Scout Picks for the 2015/16 campaign before yet another international break is thrust upon us. This time round, we double up on Liverpool, Leicester, City and Southampton and return to a 3-4-3 formation for the weekend’s matches.

Maarten Stekelenburg comes in as our keeper for Southampton’s trip to Sunderland. With the Black Cats scoring five times in the last two under Big Sam, we reckon the Dutchman will prove a more likely source of save points than options such as David de Gea this weekend. Furthermore, Allardyce will surely have his backline well-drilled in an attempt to nullify the danger of Virgil van Dijk from set-pieces, persuading us to look to his keeper instead.

With a single goal conceded at home, United look a strong shout for defensive returns as West Brom pay visit to Old Trafford. Priced at 5.4, Marcos Rojo offers a cheaper alternative to team-mate Chris Smalling (6.5) and has averaged six points per appearance for the Red Devils so far.

Alberto Moreno looks one of the main beneficiaries of Jurgen Klopp’s installation at the Liverpool helm. Since the German’s arrival, the raiding left-back has fired more shots on goal than any defender in the last three Gameweeks and with visitors Palace scoring just once over that period, Moreno looks a great option at just 4.8 for Sunday’s Anfield encounter.

With Manuel Pellegrini indicating that Gael Clichy will have to settle for a bench role this weekend, we turn to site favourite Aleksandar Kolarov as City roll up to Villa Park. The Serbian’s underlying stats in the final third continue to catch the eye – he’s first for key passes (19) and second for attempts on goal amongst defenders (13) – whilst Villa’s record of one goal in their last three at home bodes well for the league leaders’ prospects of another clean sheet.

Riyad Mahrez served a perfect reminder of his talents last weekend after climbing to the top of the FPL standings on the back of a 15-point haul at West Brom. The Algerian has served up six double-figure returns in nine starts for the Foxes and hosts a Watford outfit with just one clean sheet on their travels.

Sadio Mane comes in for Southampton’s trip to Sunderland. The Senegal international has notched in each of his last two road trips against Chelsea and Liverpool and will fancy his chances of getting amongst the goals once again, given that Big Sam’s backline shipped six at Everton last weekend.

We’re opting for the explosive potential of Alexis Sanchez for Sunday’s north London derby at the Emirates. Whilst there is no question that Mesut Ozil has been more consistent, the Chilean’s propensity for huge points hauls – he’s bagged two lots of 15+ returns – is enough to earn him the nod as the Gunners look to bounce back from their midweek loss in Munich and clinch a sixth straight league victory.

Afforded just 17 minutes off the bench for City’s away win against Sevilla, Kevin de Bruyne will be fully refreshed for the visit to Villa Park. One of the most consistent options around, the Belgian has served up points in five of his six starts for the league leaders and now faces a side that have loss seven on the bounce.

Leicester’s ten-goal Jamie Vardy earns a spot in our three-man frontline for the visit of Watford. The Foxes striker has netted in each of his last eight now and has delivered in all five of his home appearances to date, averaging 6.6 points per outing at the King Power.

Romelu Lukaku rolls up to West Ham on the back of a 14-point return against Sunderland. The big Belgian has scored six times in as many matches against the Hammers and, having racked up double-figures on his travels against Southampton and West Brom, will be optimistic of breaching a backline that’s kept out their opponents just once in five home fixtures.

Christian Benteke is called upon for Liverpool’s home clash with Palace. The Belgian has racked up two goals and an assist off the bench in the last two and, after stepping up his fitness with a start against Ruben Kazan last night, looks set to lead the line as the Merseysiders go for a fourth straight win in all competitions under Jurgen Klopp.

Jeffrey Schlupp makes the bench for Leicester’s clash with Watford. With Christian Fuchs passed fit, the Ghana international is expected to be shifted back onto the left flank against the Hornets – his attacking potential is highlighted by the fact he sits top amongst defenders for shots (14) and joint-top for efforts inside the box, with eight close-range attempts to his name.

Newcastle’s trip to struggling Bournemouth brings Georginio Wijnaldum into contention. The Dutchman has fired more shots on target (ten) than any midfielder since Steve McClaren switched to a 4-4-2 in Gameweek 7 and will surely trouble a defence with a single shut-out to their name this term.

City’s trip to Villa earns Wilfried Bony a spot on the bench. The Ivorian may have failed to find the net last week but it wasn’t for a lack of trying – his total of nine attempts was comfortably more than any player. Bony will surely be afforded plenty of chances again and – if he can improve his accuracy – could well hand Remi Garde a debut to forget in charge of the basement-dwellers.

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.

Gameweek 11’s community champion S Kuqi was the latest to beat the Scout Picks, by 58 points to 52. Massive stays in the lead to claim the £100 Amazon voucher, though, after beating us by 16 points in Gameweek 6.

This week’s Community Champion is Prophet. His team is as follows: De Gea; Rojo Sagna Clyne; Sterling Mahrez Willian Sigurdsson Mane; Giroud Rooney.