The Scout Picks – Gameweek 20

We herald in the New Year this afternoon by rolling out the Gameweek 20 Scout Picks for your perusal. Arsenal once again supply us with a trio of players, whilst we also pilfer Everton, Leicester and Stoke for a couple of options ahead of Saturday’s Gameweek 20 deadline.

We revert back to Jack Butland once again as Stoke make their way to midlands rivals West Brom. The Potters had racked up eight clean sheets in 11 prior to their 4-3 win at Everton on Monday and with the Baggies netting just twice in the last three, another shut-out could be on the cards for Mark Hughes’ men.

As the only secure starter in defence under Louis van Gaal, Chris Smalling is welcomed into our three-man backline as United host Swansea at Old Trafford. A clean sheet for the hosts looks on the cards in this one – they’ve have conceded just three times in nine in front of their own fans, whilst the Swans have scored just twice in six matches.

Laurent Koscielny earns a spot in our three-man defence as Arsenal welcome struggling Newcastle to the Emirates. The Gunners have the second-most resilient home defence (six goals against), whilst their weekend visitors have scored just five times on the travels – fewer than any side in the top-flight. Having been rested for the visit of Bournemouth, the Frenchman looks set to return to Arsene Wenger’s XI this time around.

Robert Huth’s aerial prowess could prove key at both ends of the pitch for Leicester’s home encounter with Bournemouth. The Cherries have conceded more goals than any other side from set-pieces and arrive at the King Power having failed to score in the last two. Claudio Ranieri’s side, meanwhile, now have three clean sheets in seven, having kept out Man City on Tuesday evening.

In midfield, we have to keep faith with Stoke’s man of the moment as Marko Arnautovic retains his Gameweek 19 Scout Picks berth after bagging a goal and assist at Everton on Monday. It’s four strikes in five now for the in-form Austrian, who’ll fancy his chances of netting against a Baggies backline that’s been breached 16 times in front of their own fans – the second-worst defensive record in the top-flight.

Similarly, it’s impossible to look beyond Mesut Ozil in our four-man midfield after he served up a 14-point haul at home to Bournemouth on Monday – his highest return of the season. Up against a Newcastle defence with one clean sheet in seven, the German looks poised to deal further damage for his 53% FPL owners and is the runaway leader in our Captain Poll.

Riyad Mahrez is afforded the chance to bounce back from consecutive blanks as Leicester entertain Bournemouth at the King Power. The Cherries have mustered just one clean sheet on their travels so far, whilst the Algerian has already delivered four sets of double-figures in front of his own fans.

Everton’s Ross Barkley kept his tally ticking over with an assist in Monday’s home loss to Stoke. The Toffees playmaker has now produced two goals and four assists in his last four at Goodison and with attack looking the best form of defence for Roberto Martinez’ men right now, we’re expecting an end-to-encounter when Spurs roll up on Sunday.

Up front, Olivier Giroud makes it a full house of Arsenal options once again. Although he failed to get on the scoresheet against Bournemouth, the Frenchman still managed to chip in with an assist – he’s now produced points in eight of the last 11 Gameweeks.

Having scored in each of the last five at Goodison, Romelu Lukaku comes in for the visit of Tottenham. The seemingly unstoppable Belgian has produced double-figures on three of those occasions, with a double against Stoke’s resilient rearguard indicative of his current form. In spite of their improved defensive displays, the visitors have managed just one shut-out in their last six road trips.

We’re also backing Harry Kane to get amongst the points in a Goodison goal-fest. Everton’s dire defensive displays have seen them concede more goals than any side in front of their own fans, which bodes well for the Tottenham frontman, given he’s delivered five goals, an assist and seven bonus points on his travels already.

A home encounter with Villa persuades us to hand Patrick van Aanholt a chance to impress from our bench. The Sunderland left-back has produced five shots and seven key passes in the last four Gameweeks, whilst Villa have scored three times in their last six away matches and are without suspended top scorer Jordan Ayew.

We’re putting our faith in the underlying numbers by bringing Sadio Mane on the bench as Southampton travel to Watford. Although he’s failed to find the net in recent weeks, the Senegal international sits joint-top amongst midfielders for efforts in the area (eight) in the last four Gameweeks. The Canaries, meanwhile, have only kept out the impotent Swansea and Villa attacks all season.

With just one goal in five, Jamie Vardy warms the bench for Leicester’s home clash with Bournemouth. Bearing in mind that three of those fixtures were on the road, though, it’s worth noting that the Foxes frontman has still scored or assisted in eight of his nine appearances at the King Power, with Tuesday’s clash against City his one exception.