Delayed due to unforseen circumstances that had nothing to do with Benjani, I’ve now updated my Scout Picks for this weekend’s games. Refresh your screen to take a gander and read on for some paper-thin theories behind the selection.
Okay, first of all I’m going on record and saying that I don’t like the look of this week. Not at all. It’s full of fixtures that appear to offer few opportunities for clean sheets and yet at the same time, doesn’t scream goals at me either.
For starters I don’t like the fact that United defenders look unwise. That’s unsettling given their defensive record but against Spurs at the Lane it may just be time to overlook Van der Sar and the back four and look elsewhere. So I have. I’m not comfortable with it but I’ve gone with the gut feeling that Berbatov, Keane et al will find the net as they have so often at home.
What’s making feel even more uncomfortable is the fact that I’ve gone with two Liverpool players have written them off in my Scout Notes. For some reason I see the home game with Sunderland as a match in which Rafa’s men may prove a point. Sunderland have struggled for goals away from home and so a clean sheet looks entirely possible even for a Liverpool defence that has found just one shut-out in the last seven. I’ve gone for Reina in goal then, with no obvious or cheap candidate in the back four given Rafa’s rotation habit.
In the defence I’ve gone out on a limb and opted for Ridgewell of Birmingham. This is strictly a short-term measure as he is currently just a card away from a 2-match ban. However, he’ll come up against a Derby side that have struggled terribly away from home. It’s a big game for McCleish and I can just see his side edging a close one by a single goal with Ridgewell instrumental at the back as always. He’s also always a goal threat from set-pieces and dead cheap of course. Again though, I stress – he’s a short-term prospect for one week only.
Alongside him Alex is no surprise. Chelsea’s defence has been strong and even without Carvalho and with Defore making his debut for Portsmouth, I still see Grant’s side coming away with a narrow win and possibly a clean sheet. Gallas also gets the nod mainly because City have been struggling for goals, Arsenal have been the tightest defence over the last five, plus Gallas has a goal threat.
The last spot in the back four goes to Lescott. He’s been superb all season, again he carries a goal threat and Everton are at Ewood where Blackburn have struggled for goals.
In midfield I’ve taken the frustration of having to pick Ronaldo every week and channeled into picking a few new faces. Barry as been here before but plays in one of the few matches this week where I forsee goals. Fulham vs Villa could be a decent game with O’Neil’s side running riot away from home and Hodgson’s team motivated by new signings and the fight for survival. Both Barry and Bullard from this match get the nod then. They’ll both be vital to their sides in this encounter and will also dominate set-pieces.
The last midfield slot goes to Hunt at Reading. He’s just signed a new contract so he’ll be on a high – plus he’s up against Bolton who don’t tend to be as solid away from the Reebok. I can see Reading nicking this by a couple and Hunt amongst the points.
Up front there are few risks taken. Adebayor picks himself – the City defence isn’t what it was and I can see Arsenal grabbing a couple at Eastlands. Torres meanwhile must surely fancy himself against the Sunderland defence in a game in which Liverpool might just use to restore some pride after a terrible run.
Outside of this little lot there are some decent alternatives. Ballack and Jenas are sure to be central in their matches although I can see both Spurs and Chelsea scoring just the one in their encounters. That may well be enough for Chelsea while it could just be a consolation for Spurs. Kitson and McFadden meanwhile, could offer some value up front if you’re looking for a budget striker – Jerome is another option who falls into this category although his place could be under threat. Finally Villa should get goals at the Cottage despite the absence of Young. Agbonlaor and Carew are the likely benefactors.
That’s about it. As I said, I don’t fancy this week much. Let’s just hope I’m wrong and it’s full of points for us all.