The Scout Squad – Gameweek 10

The Scouts were bitten and bitten hard by Manchester City last week, so they’re rather more shy this time around, with Pep Guardiola’s assets not quite so prominent in the picks of our selection panel.

Instead, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez gains unanimous backing after a return to last season’s point-heavy ways during Sunday’s P45-inducing win over Ronald Koeman’s Everton.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is another to attract much interest as the Reds look to bounce back from their humbling at Spurs with a home fixture against Huddersfield, while budget keepers Nick Pope and Mat Ryan sweep the board between the sticks.

Trying to squeeze as many premium-priced strikers into the mix should provoke a deal of dissent, however, so before the in-fighting properly kicks off, let’s take a good look at the thoughts of our gang of four before we reveal their final selections in Friday’s Scout Picks article.

Jonty says…

“Load up on Manchester City players”, I demanded last week.

Unfortunately, I got my wish and we had to watch in horror at Raheem Sterling’s benching, David Silva’s failure to deliver returns and Sergio Aguero’s mustering of a solitary goal before being hooked early.

In round ten of attempting to second guess the Sky Blues teamsheet and likely star turns, I’ve looked for clues in their League Cup line-up and minutes against Wolverhampton last night.

This tells me that Gabriel Jesus may just be a “safe bet”, given that he was subbed off before the 90-minute mark. In addition, the rested David Silva should get minutes in midfield and another rested player, Nicolas Otamendi, looks assured of his start at the back.

I’ve given backing to all three, but far less enthusiastically than I was regarding Pep’s troops this time last week.

Elsewhere, I’m looking to go big in midfield and, as a result, light in defence. I’ve also included Burnley’s Chris Wood as an attacking prospect at home to Newcastle United to free up more funds.

With Liverpool facing Huddersfield at home and Arsenal taking on Swansea City at the Emirates, we have a wealth of premium-priced midfielders to accommodate. Top of my list is Arsenal’s Sanchez, who, along with Aaron Ramsey has had more shots on target than any other player over the last four Gameweeks.

I’m advocating a double-up on Liverpool midfielders, with the frequent close-range shooting of Salah and all-round potential of Philippe Coutinho looking good for points.

A revival in Everton’s fortunes, after their manager Ronald Koeman was sacked this week, will hopefully not happen this weekend for their trip to Leicester City.

I’m backing one of Riyad Mahrez or Jamie Vardy to get the nod, with the Algerian my favoured option given he has racked up two assists and a goal over his last two Gameweeks, plus an EFL Cup goal last night.

Peter says…

Otamendi, Salah and, predictably, Harry Kane were the few success stories from last week, with “limited” minutes an issue for the likes of Phil Jones, Aaron Cresswell, Sterling and Jesus.

As promised, therefore, my selections this week will (hopefully) limit the rotation risk.

Starting with the cheaper options, Watford against Stoke City and Palace versus West Ham feature four of the top five teams for goals conceded, although admittedly neither side in that second fixture has been prolific.

Nonetheless, I feel goals are in this crisp autumnal air, so Richarlison, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Mame Biram Diouf come in as budget buys.

As mentioned, that already leaves little space in the engine room.

I feel Leroy Sane is the safest Manchester City option as they visit injury-ravaged West Brom and Sanchez’s performance against woeful Everton suggested that he could be recapturing last season’s form.

I had been monitoring Ramsey prior to his goal and assist at the weekend, and can live with that compromise if funds become tight. Salah also retains his place from last weekend.

I’m sticking with Arsenal for a defensive option – they may not be watertight, but four clean sheets in six matches have done enough to convince me that Nacho Monreal can help to keep Swansea at bay.

I’m also backing Burnley’s impressive defensive record at home (two goals conceded in four matches) against Newcastle’s lacklustre away attack (three goals scored in four).

Paul says…

Arsenal’s comprehensive win over Everton brings a trio of Gunners into my squad for the Gameweek 10 visit of Swansea.

The Swans’ troublesome right flank is a big factor.

Paul Clement’s side are ranked second-bottom for chances conceded down that side of the pitch, which promotes the appeal of the Gunners’ left wing-back Sead Kolasinac and Sanchez.

If regular left-back Martin Olsson misses out for the Swans, they could be forced to field veteran Angel Rangel on the right, with Kyle Naughton shifting to the left.

And Sanchez looks to have rediscovered his hunger after delivering a first double-figure haul of the season at Goodison.

Up against a Stoke outfit that’s conceded 20 times, Watford’s Richarlison should maintain the form that’s delivered six sets of attacking returns in nine. He is the leading midfielder for shots in the box (11) in the last four Gameweeks.

The Potters’ Mame Biram Diouf could also profit at Vicarage Road. He’s scored in three successive Gameweeks and faces a defence that’s conceded 10 times in front of their own fans.

Silva is my City pick for the trip to West Brom. With so much uncertainty over Guardiola’s front three right now, the Spaniard – who was rested from midweek cup duties – looks secure by comparison.

I’m ignoring Eden Hazard for Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth, despite the fact that he has scored three times in his last two visits to the Vitality. The Belgian has a single shot in the last three Gameweeks, with Alvaro Morata – who has bagged 23 points in his last two road trips – getting the nod instead.

Mark says…

Still reeling from Pep’s teamsheet, we should be thankful that the fixture list, and an encouraging display by Arsenal, has eased our selection puzzle for Gameweek 10.

The Gunners dominate my thinking ahead of their collision with Swansea. Friday’s Picks will surely feature three of Arsene Wenger’s charges, with the main argument likely to surround whether we opt for Kolasinac in defence.

While I concede that Monreal has merits, the prospect of the Bosnian running at Rangel’s ageing legs fills me with confidence and Paul Clement, surely, with trepidation. With Sanchez also on that side of the defence and the Swans already susceptible to conceding chances from that flank, this looks to be a rich source of goals and points for all concerned.

Elsewhere, I’m backing Harry Kane to break the United resistance at Old Trafford, with confidence in Lukaku at the other end far less buoyant. Jesus is in the mix, along with Sterling, from City but, in truth, no tears will be shed should one or both be omitted come Friday’s cut.

With the likes of Richarlison, Salah and Wilfried Zaha in midfield and the Lacazette option in attack, we have more than enough to turn our backs on Pep.

That will learn him.

The Community Champion

Representing the Community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek will be Kryten, who is in his tenth season, with last year’s finish of 1,941 his best to date.

The community champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2017/18 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Gameweek 9’s champion Oddjobleff drew 36-36 with the Scouts. The champion to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.