After a dull international break – this week has been a exhausting one for injuries and uncertainties. Bizarrely though, this week’s scout picks slipped out nice and easy. Read on for the juice…
Despite fancying Wigan to nick something at Anfield, there are still slight doubts over both Heskey and Zaki. If one or both of those two fail to make it, then Liverpool should be comfortable. There doesn’t look to be too many clean sheets around this week, so I’ll gamble on Liverpool, despite my inkling for Wigan.
Chelsea’s injury crisis at the back will weaken them but with Terry in the centre and Ivanovic impressive, you can still see Scolari’s side keeping Boro fairly quiet. Boro could easily score, but as I’ve mentioned, clean sheets won’t come easy this week so I’m backing Bridge. He looks certain to start with Ashley Cole out and should get forward for assists which might compensate for the lack of a clean sheet.
Bolton’s Cahil and Fulham’s Hangeland are two budget picks – both look strong options. Bolton are always tough at home and face Blackburn on the back of a win. With Santa Cruz a doubt, Megson’s side look good for a cleanie. Likewise Hangeland – he’s up against a Sunderland side who are struggling for goals and the big Norwegian will be a major threat at set plays which aren’t a strength for Keane’s defence. United’s Ferdinand completes the rearguard – they look the strongest option for a clean sheet and with the Baggies week at set pieces, Rio could profit up the field.
The midfield picks itself really, with some very strong high-to-mid price options looking good. Ronaldo is in of course. I don’t expect him to catch fire against West Brom but he should start and will doubtless come out of the game with something. Lampard looks even stronger for me. Chelsea may need goals at Boro with a clean sheet looking fairly shaky. Frank will be central to their attacking threat and should get forward even more without Ballack alongside him.
Villa’s Young is almost an automatic every week given his importance to O’Neill’s side from set plays. A home game with a depleted Portsmouth should bring him some profit. The last midfield place goes to Wright-Phillips who should get some returns from a leaky Newcastle defence. I’m expecting goals in that one.
Up front it’s hard to ignore Adebayor, so I won’t. Arsenal are likely to need two or three goals at home to Everton and the big striker is on form having hit four for Togo last weekend. Carew partners him, Villla, like Arsenal, will need a couple of goals at least given their defensive record. The Norwegian’s form is strong and he should come out of the home encounter with Pompey with some profit.
If you’re looking for cheap alternatives I like Davies of Bolton up front. Zamora could come good for Fulham but I’ve been burnt by him already this season. Campbell should start for Spurs but form and confidence are so low, it’s hard to back them. Fuller of Stoke would be an option but he looks unlikely to start – you can go Sidebe if you really want to gamble. Spurs should certainly concede.
In midfield Delap is a decent option for that very reason. I’ve got an inkling for Gera of Fulham this week, while United’s Fletcher and Giggs, Bolton’s Taylor and Nasri of Arsenal should all start and look good options.
It’s a lot tougher at the back. I’ve really struggled to find clean sheets for the lineup. Turner for Hull is always a good option in the Guardian game – he picks himself in that one for defensive stats earnings alone. Likewise Anton Ferdinand for Sunderland and Olsson of West Brom, who should see plenty of action at Old Trafford. If you’re after a long shot for a clean sheet there is always Man City at Newcastle – they could well keep Kinnear’s men at bay. Kompany, as always is the best option, offering some chance of attacking points. Garrido the next best – although don’t expect a stunning free kick every week.
Finally, on to the topic of the FPL captain. Ronaldo has walked the poll as expected and he is clearly the safe option. I’m leaning towards Lampard again though – he didn’t let me down last week and he might just have to drag Chelsea to a win at Boro in Saturday’s early kick off. Adebayor is the other strong option of course – big points potential there. For a gamble – Young and Wright-Phillips.