Refresh your screen for my last scout picks of the season, then read on for the usual blurb behind the selection.
Picks have come early this week because I’m just about to leave for a weekend music festival. That will see me desperately trying to find a TV with Sky, whilst updating the site via my laptop and a mobile broadband connection. I might even get to see some bands. Enough of my rambles – read on and good luck for the final hurrah.
With minds turning to golf courses and signing-on fees, the key to selection for this final game is to locate those players who still have something to play for. With that in mind, fantasy managers have been plundering United and Chelsea’s squad all week and it’s no surprise to see four players from the title contenders in my lineup. With my two player per club restriction, I’ve opted for a defender and attacking player from each – but there are plenty of options if you have the cash to invest more heavily in the big two. Elsewhere I’ve looked to select those players with either Europe or relegation on their minds – both should offer enough incentive to bring in some profit.
Starting at the back I’ve opted for the rocks that are Ferdinand and Terry. Certainly the latter looks good for a clean sheet at home to a Bolton side that are likely to offer little in attack at Stamford Bridge. Ferdinand has a tougher task at the JJB but you can see Ferguson looking to keep things tight should United snatch an early lead. Ferdinand has also been the source of a few FPL bonus points in recent weeks – earning the maximum at home to West Ham last time out, despite United conceding.
Alongside the big two, I’ve kept faith with Wheater who repaid my faith him in him last week with a clean sheet against Portsmouth. A home game with City looks another likely shutout for Southgates men and Wheater could always grab a goal from a set-piece of course.
Everton’s Lescott completes the back four. I can see Moyes’ men snatching a narrow win at Goodison – they need three points to seal fifth place but have struggled for goals. If they get the lead, they’ll doubtless look to keep things tight and with Newcastle upset by the loss of Barton and Viduka, I can see Everton keeping Keegan’s men at bay.
The Keeper situation is far from easy once again. I’ve opted for Hahnemann of Reading. He looks a good bet for a clean sheet at Derby, even though I see Reading conceding with Coppell fielding a more attacking lineup. Even if that is the case, I’d expect Hahnemann to earn some points for a few saves in the FPL. Outside of those defences I’ve already selected, Friedal looks your best bet. Again I can see Blackburn conceding, although Friedal will doubtless earn a few FPL points from saves as he’s likely to be under intense pressure from a Birmingham attack fighting for their lives.
Moving to the midfield and it’s no surprise to see Ronaldo in there once again. He’s almost guaranteed to be amongst the points in a game that United must win to assure themselves of the title. Alongside him I’ve kept faith with Bullard who goes to Portsmouth looking to lead Fulham to three points to save their Premiership status. He’s almost certain to reap FPL bonus, regardless of goals and assists, should Hodgson’s men prevail.
Hunt is a new name in the picks this week. Coppell has already remarked that he’ll select a more attacking approach at Derby in a game that his side must win – Hunt will be central to Reading’s attacking ambitions. I can see Reading needing at least a couple of goals at Pride Park and with goal difference a factor, they may well go for broke. I’d expect Hunt to be amongst the points as a result.
Barry completes the midfield. Surrounded by transfer speculation, that could be a distraction, but Barry and Villa have all to play for at Upton Park as they look to snatch fifth place from Everton. I can see Villa putting a couple past the Hammers injury-prone defence and Barry should profit from that.
Up front Drogba comes in as my second acquisition from Chelsea. He’s certain to start, and with Anelka sidelined and Lampard not necessarily guaranteed a start, he’ll be the chief goal threat in a game that I can see Grant’s men winning comfortably. Alongside him I’ve gone for McFadden. Classified as a forward in most fantasy games – he is due another big game for McLeish and I can just see him turning in a performance against Blackburn. If he’s classified as a midfielder in your game, even better. Grab him in that position and consider Forssell or even Kitson of Reading, who could well figure amongst the goals as they fight for their lives at Derby.
Let’s cruise around some of the alternatives. Defensively the five defences I’ve opted for appear to offer the best potential for clean sheets. I can see Arsenal conceding at Sunderland, Liverpool at Spurs and Portsmouth letting at least one in against Fulham. That said, all three defences are worth a look if you don’t share my view with Clichy, Carragher and Distin perhaps the best options in each. The Boro vs City game could easily end in a bore draw so the City defence, however weakened by injury, could be worth considering with Dunne and keeper Hart the obvious contenders.
In midfield Downing almost made it into the eleven once more but, as I’ve mentioned, I’ve an inkling that there will be few goals in there game with City. If you can afford a third Chelsea player than either Lampard or Ballack are certainly popular buys this week. Both should come away with some returns if Chelsea get the kind of result I expect them to against Bolton. Joe Cole is another option here – he should start with Anelka ineligible but Ballack and Lampard certainly appear to have stronger goal/assist potential based on current form.
For cheaper options, Birmingham’s Kapo, Fulham’s Davies, Everton’s Osman and Reid at Sunderland all look decent given the fixtures and/or motivation on the final day. Similarly, Bentley and Gamst Pedersen offer potential if you can see Blackburn snatching a goal or two at St Andrews – I can certainly see them nicking at least one. I’ve a feeling in my water about Benayoun at Spurs for some reason – I sure I can get something prescribed for that though.
In the forward positions the popular buys – Torres, Adebayor, Tevez and Santa Cruz should all play and could easily be amongst the goals. The latter two for me, offer the better potential with Tevez in particular showing good form and facing a must-win situation at the JJB. I’ve long supported Berbatov for the final few games but he has clearly been somewhat distracted by speculation surrounding his future. He is set to return to the Spurs lineup and could issue a reminder of his class to would-be suitors. He’d be a big gamble in fantasy terms but perhaps worth holding onto if you have him in your side and have planned transfers elsewhere.
Yakubu is another who has suffered from a lack of form. He was dropped to the bench against Arsenal but seems set to start on Sunday as Everton look to seal the fifth spot. Everton should profit from Newcastle’s end of season apathy and Yakubu could yet issue a reminder of his fantasy potential on the final day. Villa will also be motivated by that fifth spot and as always, Young and Agbonlahor are worth some consideration here. Villa should tuck at least a couple past the West Ham defence that is weakened by injury.
There are some decent cheap options that appear to offer good potential. Forssell for Birmingham, Kamara for Fulham, Jones for Sunderland and, as mentioned, Kitson for Reading, all look pretty decent options if you’re on a budget.
As usual I should end by looking at the Captain situation for FPL managers. The current poll is as usual, spot on with my thinking for this. Ronaldo is the clear favourite of course – he should fetch returns with United needing goals at Wigan. That won’t be of use to those looking to close a final game gap so the Chelsea trio of Drogba, Ballack and Lampard offer handy and certainly viable alternatives. I can see Chelsea seeing off Bolton with at least three goals and Drogba should in amongst them. For me, he is the option to use against Ronaldo huggers. If you’ve for some reason ignored Chelsea’s potential this week and you need to gamble, then the Villa trio of Barry, Young and Agbonlahor could offer the next best option.
That’s it from me then and from my final picks of the season. I’d just like to end on a thanks to you lot for reading my rambles each week and for all those who contribute to the discussion process that follows, right up until FPL deadlines and through to when the first goals go in.
I’ll miss these verbose rants each week but rest assured, I’ll be chucking plenty of content your way to digest, even without a ball being kicked in the Premiership. Work now starts on content for the summer break so I’ll be scouting out the promoted teams and the new signings in the coming weeks to help get us prepared for the new season. There will also be a full redesign launched this summer – and eventually I’ll post a preview of that on the site and start taking some feedback.
For now though – thanks for your support and good luck for the final day.