Apologies for the lateness of the Scout Picks this week but, better late than never, here they come. Could be a rough ride this one – the threat of rest and rotation looms large with the Champions League in midweek. Lampard, Adebayor, Terry and Ronaldo all look at risk. Lovely.
I’ve gone for James in goal. Portsmouth have a decent opportunity of a clean sheet against Wigan and James is certain to play, unlike the likes of Campbell and Hreidarsson who are slight injury doubts. Portsmouth’s fixtures going forward, make James or his defence a very decent proposition as well as a good bet for short-term returns this weekend.
At the back Shorey keeps his place. He faces a Blackburn side who may well be good for a goal or two but I see Shorey as a threat going forward and there is an outside chance that Coppell’s side can nick a clean sheet in this one.
Vidic returns to the picks at centre-back. No real surprise here – United face a Villa side currently suffering a slump in form and United are always strong defensively at Old Trafford. Carvalho slots alongside him. He seems the most certain to lineup for a Chelsea side at home to Boro – which on paper looks a strong clean sheet opportunity. Terry is an injury doubt, as is Cech, while the full-backs are always a risk with Grant rotating to his heart’s content in this area.
Gallas takes the last spot in defence. He’s up against a Bolton side who are struggling to score goals and I see Arsenal grinding out a narrow win at the Reebok. Wenger’s defence normally struggles with Bolton’s aerial power, but I just fancy that they could keep them shutout and nick a 1-0.
Bullard holds his place in midfield. He travels to Pride Park and can be expected to step to inspire Fulham once again in this one. Even without a goal, if Fulham get the win I’m expecting, then Bullard should leave with FPL bonus at the very least. Hunt is selected for similar reasons. He’ll be paramount to Reading’s chances against Blackburn and I see goals in that game, with Hunt in amongst Reading’s attacking points.
Gerrard pips Lampard in midfield with uncertainty surrounding the Chelsea man’s selection. The Liverpool skipper will lead from the front against Everton and I can see them edging a tight game, with Gerrard once again leaving with at least FPL bonus.
Ronaldo is a risk but I’m willing to commit myself and back him to play against Villa. Ferguson will be tempted to rest him but I just feel the opposition carry that little bit of potential to threaten United and that should be enough to see Ronaldo play a part. When he plays, fantasy managers have to select him and, while I can see him taken off the minute Ferguson feels that the result is no longer at risk, I still see Ronaldo contributing as per usual.
Up front it looks as though Adebayor could be rested at the Reebok, Santa Cruz is a slight injury doubt, while Yakubu and Torres will be involved but in a tight game. The United strikers have goals in them but it’s difficult to predict who Ferguson will go with. All that means that Berbatov keeps his place with the Newcastle defence coming to White Hart Lane. He has the edge over Keane simply because the threat of Bent is hanging over the Irishman. Berbatov may lag behind Keane on goals but he’ll contribute via assists and FPL bonus and I see him coming out of today’s game with another decent fantasy return.
Defoe is his familiar partner. He’ll be eager to rip into a Wigan side who will be significantly weakened by suspension and injury. Defoe misses next weekend’s FA Cup semi so he won’t be spared in this one and will surely be the chief architect of a Portsmouth win.
There are some pretty decent alternatives to this lot about. The Spurs defence looks a good bet at home to Newcastle so Hutton looks a sound investment once again. I can also see the Birmingham vs City game as a tight one and that could well be a scoreless draw with clean sheets all round.
In midfield again Spurs offer some potential via Huddlestone and Jenas if selected. Reid and Richardson are decent budget options for Sunderland against West Ham – I see a few goals in that one. Similarly Fulham’s Davies will be a threat to the Derby defence. Bentley is always a good bet of course – he’ll have a point to prove after the England game and as I mention, there should be goals at Reading today.
Up front that’s also the case for McBride – Fulham will look to him at Derby today. For some reason I’ve got an inkling for Sunderland’s Jones against West Ham. Even though he’s gone 10 without a goal, I see him breaking that run here and I also fancy Ashton to continue his form in a game with goals.
As for the FPL captain decsion – again the poll is pretty accurate. Ronaldo is the safe option if you’re protecting a lead, Berbatov a strong alternative if you’re looking to make up ground. If you’re looking for an outside bet then Bullard against Derby and his former manager, Paul Jewell, could offer good returns while Defoe also looks strong against a wounded Wigan side.