The Scout Squad – Gameweek 34

We turn our attentions to the upcoming set of fixtures now and roll out a 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 over the next few days.

Here’s the cast currently under consideration for Gameweek 34, with the ten double Gameweek teams understandably dominating.

Goalkeepers

Manchester United have accrued 10 clean sheets in 15 outings at Old Trafford, making David De Gea the standout selection between the sticks ahead of their back-to-back home ties (AVL & CRY) this Gameweek. By virtue of his save points, the Spanish goalkeeper boasts a point-per-game average (4.3) that surpasses the rest of Man United’s defensive starters.

With uncertainty over the Arsenal number one, we turn to West Ham’s Adrian. Available for 5.1, he travels to the King Power before being handed a clash against a Watford outfit that drew eight blanks in their last 12.

Defenders

In light of Arsenal’s favourable double Gameweek (CRY & WBA), Hector Bellerin (6.4) looks a sure-fire bet for our Scout Picks. Owing to one goal and three assists in his previous four starts, the jet-heeled right-back lays claim to a points-per-game average (4.7) that’s superior to any defensive team-mate.

In terms of tapping into Man City’s rearguard for their double (che & new), Nicolas Otamendi (6.5) seems the safest option, given that Vincent Kompany is just returning from a calf injury and the full-backs may well share playing time. The Sky Blues have shut out the opposition in their last two away matches and have conceded just twice in five.

With Phil Jagielka ruled out with the hamstring problem he picked up against Watford, Ramiro Funes Mori (5.5) factors into our thinking for the second of Everton’s consecutive double Gameweeks (SOU & liv). With three goals and one assist in his maiden top-flight campaign, the Argentinian centre-back harbours strong attacking potential.

The strength of Man United’s fixtures could tempt us to double up on their defensive coverage by recruiting Chris Smalling (6.5).

Although he was rested for Stoke City’s visit, Dejan Lovren (4.8) has been Liverpool’s top-performing centre-back of late and should be assured starts during their double (bou & EVE).

Craig Dawson’s (5.1) security of starts and offensive threat (three goals) renders him the prime route into West Bromwich Albion’s defence for their mixed bag of a double Gameweek (WAT & ars).

Midfielders

In appreciation of Alexis Sanchez’s fine form (three goals and assists in five), he gets the nod over Mesut Ozil for a guaranteed spot in our final draft. Having netted in tough road clashes against West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur recently, the Chile international is well placed to punish Crystal Palace’s obliging defence (one clean sheet in 13) when they pay a visit to the Emirates.

Similarly, Dimitri Payet (8.5) occupies the essential bracket following his three goals and four assists in six outings. The former Marseille playmaker ranks third among all midfielders for points-per-game average (5.8) this term and has recorded more double-figure hauls (five) than any of his team-mates, underlining his consistency and explosive potential.

Andros Townsend (5.7) bagged two goals and one assist in his last five starts, alerting us to his differential potential for the Magpies’ successive home ties (SWA & MCI). Newcastle need to win in their remaining match-ups at St James’ Park if they are to escape the drop, with Townsend primed to capitalise on a more cavalier approach.

Notching two goals and a pair of assists in his first trio of league starts, Alex Iwobi (4.6) has established himself as budget source of coverage for Arsenal’s attack. Given the magnitude of his impact and Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to rotate, the academy product looks a secure short-term pick.

Having netted four goals in his last seven outings across all competitions, Philippe Coutinho (8.2) edges out Roberto Firmino as our preferred Liverpool option.

Kevin De Bruyne (10.3) has recorded two goals in as many starts in all competitions since vacating the treatment room, reaffirming his status as the premier Man City midfielder.

Looking beyond Romelu Lukaku, Aaron Lennon (5.7) serves as the most attractive way to harness an attack that’s scored three or more goals on 10 occasions this season.

Jesse Lingard (4.3) has posted five straight blanks, yet the Red Devils’ agreeable match-ups could aid a return to form.

Forwards

Considering that the league’s most explosive frontman is in good form (four goals in five) and embarks on a double, it would be remiss for Sergio Aguero (13.5) to not grace our Scout Picks. The Argentine put five past Newcastle earlier in the campaign, so a trip to St James’ Park will be met with trepidation by non-owners.

As the most promising route into Man United’s attack, Anthony Martial (7.6) looks certain to join Aguero up front. The France international delivered returns (a total of three goals and as many assists) in four of his previous five starts on home turf and could profit from the creative spark Wayne Rooney should provide on his return from injury.

Andy Carroll (6.3) emerged from the shadows by way of a hat-trick against Arsenal, bolstering his case for a prolonged run of starts at the Hammers’ lone-striker berth. Although Leicester City have chalked up five consecutive clean sheets, Carroll’s unparalleled aerial threat will act as a novel challenge for the league leader’s rearguard.

Notwithstanding the lingering doubts over Daniel Sturridge’s (9.9) pitch time during the double – particularly in the wake of Divock Origi’s brace against the Potters – the fact he’s scored or assisted in each of his last four since making his comeback from a lengthy layoff speaks volumes of his potential to reward prospective investors.

Romelu Lukaku (9.0) is in the midst of a mini-slump (three blanks) but is more than capable of scoring big against Southampton and Liverpool.

Olivier Giroud is waiting in the wings, but Danny Welbeck (7.4) has arguably done enough (one goal and an assist in three) to retain his starting slot up top for Arsenal’s double.

On Standby…

Given that half the league’s full roster of teams play twice next Gameweek, there are a surfeit of appealing options that could rack up bumper hauls.

That being said, Christian Fuchs is hard to ignore in spite of Leicester’s single Gameweek: the Austrian full-back ranked joint-second among defenders for key passes (five) across his last four starts and charts second for bonus points (21) this season. Moreover, the Foxes recorded seven clean sheets in their previous eight home encounters.

Roberto Firmino (8.1) could yet make our Scout Picks, having amassed two more shots on target (five) than any Liverpool midfielder in their last four starts. Likewise, Manuel Lanzini (4.9) mustered five attempts and two shots inside the box in his last two outings, ensuring that Payet has some strong competition.

Double Gameweeks tend to propel peripheral figures to the fore, so there’s certainly scope for Juan Mata (8.1) – who’s managed one goal and an assist in five outings – to rediscover his groove against a Villa defence that charts top for goals conceded (64).

If Daryl Janmaat (4.8) can shake off a knock before the weekend, the Dutchman could employ his marauding skills to good effect against a Swansea rearguard that’s managed a solitary clean sheet on the road.

The Community Champions

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.

Red Devil leads the way after beating the Picks by 25 points in Gameweek 17.

Following today’s lottery, the Gameweek 34 Community Champion is Larry Legend . This is his ninth season, with one top 10,000 finish under his belt.

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.