The Scout Picks – Gameweek 25

We roll out the second set of Scout Picks in three days this evening as Gameweek 25 edges ever nearer. Opting for a 3-5-2 formation, we call upon three Tottenham players and double up on both Swansea and Newcastle as the pair prepare for key home encounters this weekend.

We’re backing Fraser Forster to earn a fifth successive shut-out as Southampton host West Ham at St Mary’s. Having kept Arsenal at bay with 10 stops in the midweek goalless draw, the Saints keeper should have save points to fall back on even if his side concede.

Tottenham’s home encounter with a Watford side that’s failed to score in their last two road trips affords Toby Alderweireld the chance of a ninth clean sheet of the season. The Belgian’s threat in the final third is also key to his appeal, with two goals and a trio of assists helping him to the top of the defender standings.

Ashley Williams comes in for Swansea’s home clash with a struggling Palace outfit that’s scored twice in seven Gameweeks. The centre-half has earned 17 bonus points from six clean sheets and has registered a shut-out in three of the last four at the Liberty.

Daryl Janmaat gets the nod as Newcastle host a West Brom side that’s scored once in the last three Gameweeks. The right-back’s raids down the flank have produced a goal and three assists so far, suggesting he could still bring in the points if his injury-hit defence is breached by the Baggies.

We reckon Deli Alli will recover from his bout of dizziness in time for Tottenham’s home clash with Watford. The youngster welcomes the Hornets on the back of consecutive double-figure hauls and at a price of 5.9, there’s no arguing with his value for money.

We’re keeping faith in Andre Ayew over Gylfi Sigurdsson for Swansea’s match with Palace. The Eagles roll up on the back of five straight defeats and, having bagged a goal and assist in two of his last four, the Ghanaian could be in line for his sixth double-figure haul of the season.

Georginio Wijnaldum’s home form cannot be ignored. All nine of the Dutchman’s goals have arrived at St James’ Park – only Jamie Vardy (11) has scored more times in front of his own fans – and he’ll fancy his chances against a defence without an away clean sheet since Gameweek 10.

Liverpool’s home clash with Sunderland brings Roberto Firmino into our five-man midfield. Hauls of 13 and 18 points in the last four Gameweeks highlights the Brazilian’s explosive potential as a “false nine” under Jurgen Klopp ahead of a showdown with a defence that’s been breached more times away from home than any other in the top-flight.

Alexis Sanchez makes a Scout Picks return as Arsenal make their way to Bournemouth. Having bagged a goal and assist in the FA Cup last weekend, the Chilean was highly unlucky not to get amongst the points in midweek – producing five shots in the box and as many key passes against Southampton – and offers another explosive option for the Dean Court encounter.

We’re backing Sergio Aguero to do the business against Leicester tomorrow lunchtime. Five goals in the last three Gameweeks suggests the City striker is back to his best and, regardless of the Foxes resilience, it’s impossible to overlook the Argentine in this sort of form.

Second to Aguero in this week’s Captain Poll, Harry Kane is nailed-on as Spurs welcome Watford to the Lane. With four goals and an assist in his last three, the 10.1-priced frontman looks in fine fettle against a Hornets backline that’s kept just a single clean sheet in the last seven Gameweeks.

Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno warms the bench for the visit of Sunderland. Despite a lack of returns, the Spaniard’s underlying stats remain strong – he sits second amongst defenders for attempts on goal (nine) and key passes (six) over the last four Gameweeks.

Marko Arnautovic comes in for Stoke’s home clash with Everton. The Austrian has already netted against the likes of Chelsea, United and City at the Britannia this season and bagged a 12-point haul at Goodison as recently as Gameweek 19.

Olivier Giroud is our back-up frontman for Arsenal’s trip to the Cherries. Although he failed to score in midweek, the Frenchman fired eight shots inside the box against Southampton and we reckon he’ll return to form this weekend as Arsene Wenger’s men look to get their title tilt back on track.

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.

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.

Gameweek 17’s Community Champion Red Devil is the leader so far, having beaten the Scout Picks by 69 points to 44.

In midweek, the Scout Picks beat Gameweek 24’s Community Champion Doosra by 72 points to 64.

Gameweek 25’s Community Champion as selected by our lottery, is Beavis. His picks are as follows: Fabianski; Van Dijk, Alderweireld, Otamendi; Sanchez, Firmino, Wijnaldum, Sigurdsson, Alli;
Kane, Giroud.