The Scout Squad – Gameweek 15

As always on a Tuesday evening, we give you an early heads-up on our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. This list of 22 players will also include some names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article, though will, of course, be subject to change, depending on the injury situation as the week unfolds.

For Gameweek 15, here’s the players currently on our radar…

Goalkeepers

Jack Butland (4.8) will strive for a sixth clean sheet in eight outings when Manchester City – who’ve netted two goals in their previous four road ties – roll up at the Britannia Stadium. David De Gea (5.6) remains the cheapest route into a Manchester United defence that’s conceded a solitary goal at home ahead of West Ham United’s visit.

Defenders

Virgil van Dijk (5.6) serves as the prime source of Southampton defensive coverage prior to their home tie against Aston Villa. The Dutch centre-back tallied 15 goals in two seasons for Celtic and is already showcasing his aerial prowess in England’s top flight, netting twice in 10 starts. Considering that the Villans are displaying a paucity of attacking threat – with four blanks the last seven Gameweeks – Van Dijk looks a sure bet for our final XI.

Chris Smalling (6.8) is the most expensive defender on the market and the second-highest scorer (68 points) among his counterparts. His security of starts and propensity for the occasional set-piece goal renders him the pick of Man United’s backline.

Arsenal’s home encounter against Sunderland has us eyeing up Hector Bellerin (5.9), but there are concerns over the Gunners’ ability to keep it tight in light of Francis Coquelin’s absence and the potential loss of Laurent Koscielny in central defence.

At 4.9, Alberto Moreno offers attacking menace and solid clean-sheet prospects on a budget. Fresh from 1-0 home win over Swansea City, the Merseysiders will fancy their chances of rebuffing a Newcastle United side that’s failed to net in four of their previous five match-ups. Furthermore, the Spain international – who earned maximum bonus last weekend – will be relishing the opportunity to run at a Magpies defence that shipped eight goals in their last two fixtures.

Given that Tottenham Hotspur are matched up against a West Bromwich Albion team that’s scored just 13 goals throughout the entire campaign, Toby Alderweireld (5.5) makes his Scout Picks Squad debut. We’d previously pinpointed the out-of-position Eric Dier (5.2) as Spurs’ key defensive recruit, but Alderweireld’s two goals and table-topping tally of 10 attempts inside the box is hard to ignore.

Although Chelsea’s attack remains impenetrable, their rearguard is courting attention off the back of three successive clean sheets in all competitions and the presence of three home match-ups (BOU, SUN, WAT) across the next four Gameweeks. On that note, Kurt Zouma (5.4) is the standout candidate for selection, given that he’s missed just one league tie and comes in 0.4 below Cesar Azpilicueta.

Midfielders

Sadio Mane (7.9) bagged an assist last time out against Man City and looks well placed to deliver further attacking returns when Villa – who’ve conceded 17 goals in their previous six road ties – pay a visit. The favourable nature of this match-up encourages us to field a Saints attacker, with the Senegalese winger likely edging out Graziano Pelle in our XI.

Philippe Coutinho (8.4) is expected to return from a hamstring complaint this weekend, making him a prime candidate for the Scout Picks. Before sitting out the Swans encounter, Coutinho had racked up four goals and one assist in three outings and was profiting from a blossoming relationship with Roberto Firmino. Daniel Sturridge’s potential return to the starting XI only serves to augment the Brazilian’s Fantasy appeal.

Eden Hazard (10.9) was one of the star performers in Sunday’s London derby but was thwarted by a world-class save from the hosts’ custodian, Hugo Lloris. With Diego Costa out of favour, Jose Mourinho might elect to deploy the Belgian as a false nine for the second match running, enhancing his goal threat against a Cherries defence that’s just one shut-out in 14 fixtures.

Should we choose to back Arsenal’s midfield for the Black Cats showdown, the 9.3-priced Mesut Ozil (two goals and nine assists in eight) provides the strongest case for investment – irrespective of Alexis Sanchez’s injury prognosis.

Kevin De Bruyne (10.7) registered a 16-point haul on the weekend and is likely to be amongst the points if a fit-again Sergio Aguero happens to explode against the Potters.

With three goals and two assists in as many outings, Ross Barkley (7.1) has triumphed in the battle of the Everton midfielders for now, pushing ahead of Gerard Deulofeu (one goal and five assists in five) in our reckoning.

Beyond Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen (8.4) arguably stands as the most alluring route into a Tottenham offense that accrued eight goals in their past three road matches.

Despite being overshadowed by Vardy’s record-breaking exploits, Riyad Mahrez (6.8) has only drawn four blanks this season.

Forwards

Boasting five goals in four starts, Romelu Lukaku (9.0) looks certain to make the cut in our forward line. Moreover, the Toffees have been firing on all cylinders on the attacking front, amassing 10 goals in their two home clashes. Notwithstanding his blank against Chelsea, Harry Kane (9.6) is nailed-on for the trip to West Brom after netting seven times in five matches.

Jamie Vardy (7.5) enters uncharted territory as he attempts to extend his scoring streak to 11 outings at the Liberty Stadium.

As for Odion Ighalo (5.8), the Nigerian marksman has directly contributed (seven goals and four assists) to 11 of Watford’s last 13 goals and enjoys a home clash against Norwich City.

Sergio Aguero (13.1) didn’t dominate proceedings against Saints but it’s only a matter of time before the league’s most clinical hitman calibrates his sights. The Argentine is expected to recover from a minor foot problem to start at the Britannia, though with concerns over his minutes, we’re still undecided whether to select him in our XI come Friday evening.

Graziano Pelle (8.2) has come off the boil in recent weeks but is always a threat at St Mary’s Stadium. Across the entire season, no forward has recorded more attempts (34) and shots inside the box (32) at home than the Italy international, who’s scored four of his six goals on familiar soil.

On Standby

Scouring the market for those players on the periphery of our thinking, Heurelho Gomes (4.7) could yet his muscle his way into our side if he’s passed fit, given that Watford rank fourth-bottom for home goals conceded (six) ahead of Watford’s visit.

In midfield, Spurs welcome Delli Alli (5.0) back from suspension, which could find Mousa Dembele occupying the double pivot and the former MK Dons starlet reclaiming the number-ten berth. Firmino (8.1) also catches the eye, having chalked up the third most shots inside the box (11) over the last four Gameweeks.

David Silva (9.9) could be a sumptuous differential if he picks up where he left off as the Sky Blues’ chief orchestrator. Introduced off the bench at home to Southampton last week, he’s delivered six assists in five starts for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

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 14’s community champion Trust John narrowly beat the Scout Picks by 66 points to 65. Massive stays in the lead to claim the £100 Amazon voucher, then, after beating us by 16 points in Gameweek 6.

Gameweek 15’s Community Champion as selected by our lottery, is Jose’s Magic Omelette. This is his sixth season, with 75,887th in 2013/14 his highest rank.

In addition to a shot at the £100 Amazon prize, FantasyBet are offering a chance for further prizes to Community Champions that are eligible to play their games. More details can be found here.