What the fixture list gives, it takes away. We can enjoy our first double gameweek of the season and back Wigan and United players but with United and Chelsea tussling at Old Trafford, there’s a cloud to that particular silver lining.
This week’s picks have had a decent amount of pondering spent on them as a result. Catch the midweek meander and the ScoutCast for more insight on the fixtures this weekend and read on for the reasoning…
Sometimes rules can be for the best. With the double gameweek upon us, I could easily opt for the three United, three Wigan players and have half the Scout Picks sorted. Slap in the irresistible Gerrard and the much-fancied Ashley Young, and I’m almost done without breaking sweat. I never like to select three players from the same club though and, while that little bit of discipline can often make things a little tougher, in this case, I think it’s a good thing. Investing heavily in a double gameweek doesn’t often pay off as signficantly as expected so keeping an eye on other options is always worthwhile.
United and Wigan players are still your major targets for investment this week but I’m not totally convinced by Wigan’s potential in attacking terms against a disciplined Spurs and an almost impenetrable United defence at Old Trafford. I’ve gone for the two United players then (that’s pretty standard each week regardless), while Ryan Taylor is the solitary Wigan selection. He keeps his place in the defence having shaken off a knock in training this week. Hopefully his ability to contribute clean sheets and maybe to chip in with assists, should Wigan find goals, will catch double gameweek points at both ends without over the top investment in his JJB team-mates.
I’m getting ahead of myself though. Let’s start this thing in goal. I’ve gone for Schwarzer here. Everyone’s favourite Fantasy Premier League bench-warmer, the Fulham keeper may have found himself frozen out but Cech or Reina of a few FPL lineups over the season but his returns have been consistent in front of a solid Fulham back four. He might see some action against Blackburn but I see this being a tight affair with few chances with another home win for Hodgson’s men.
United’s defensive form is such, it’s hard to ignore their backline, even with Chelsea in town this weekend. The Wednesday fixture with Wigan offers added clean sheet potential and so Vidic looks an essential for the double gameweek. Evra, returning from suspension this weekend, is a cheaper option of course but the big Serb has the greater goal threat, bonus point potential and will likely earn more defensive points in the Guardian game.
I see Liverpool putting up another strong performance against Stoke with a clean sheet very much on the menu. Hyypia should keep his place given his aerial ability and he could well be their key defender on the day. Despite the threat of rotation with fit-again Skrtel – I’ll take the risk and go with the cheapest option in Rafa’s defence.
Everton’s defensive resolve of late has been extraordinary, with five consecutive clean sheets. Hull are normally prolific on their travels but in recent games, Phil Brown has looked to make them harder to beat which could mean a more reserved performance from the visitors. I see a narrow home win here with another shut-out. Lescott is my pick for his goal threat and FPL bonus potential. Baines is your cheap option if you need one.
Wigan’s Taylor takes the final place at the back then. While I don’t fancy a clean sheet at Old Trafford, at the JJB, Wigan are strong and with Spurs struggling for goals of late, Taylor looks a strong bet for a cleanie, even with Defoe in opposition.
Everything is staking up against Ronaldo – the lack of returns, the lack of confidence, the lack of grip on his tyres. Even so, with two fixtures and double the damage potential, you can’t ignore the United man. If he catches fire it’s more likely to be against Wigan on Wednesday. However, the Chelsea game gives him the ideal platform to shine and cast off some of the frustration that’s been bubbling up from the surface in recent weeks.
With Lampard at Old Trafford in what looks a tight game, his place in the picks has to go to Gerrard who will surely be a key figure as Liverpool go to the Britannia. I expect the Liverpool skipper to be behind the striker, possibly Torres, and I also expect him to be amongst the points yet again as a result.
Like Gerrard, Ashley Young looks pretty irresistible with West Brom the visitors at Villa Park. As I mentioned in the midweek meander, if we can get an early goal in this one, it could open up and feature a good few goals. I’m backing Young to figure prominently in a Villa win, although the Baggies will make a fight of it I’m sure.
The final spot goes to Tim Cahill who is set to continue in an advance role against Hull at Goodison. Everton’s home form is not good but Hull turn up on the back of a lousy run of results. I can see Brown attempting to keep things tight and Everton’s goals, like they have so often this season, will likely come from midfield. I’ve back Fellaini before now, Arteta chipped in with a brace last weekend but it’s Cahill this weekend for me. He has performed brilliantly as a makeshift striker and while he’s likely to be supporting Anichebe up front against Hull, I still see him as the home side’s major goal threat.
Up front I’m denied the option of a United striker and with the threat of rotation amongst Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov – that’s probably not a bad thing. Instead I’ve gone for Sunderland’s Cisse up against a Boro side in shocking form right now. The home side have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 games and I can see Jones and Cisse posing Southgate’s rearguard plenty of questions. I’m not sure that Wheater, Pogatetz and the rest will have the answers to their pace and power.
As for his partner,Wigan’s Zaki certainly looks a strong option and against Spurs he could fair well. He doesn’t have the form however, and I’m not totally convinced on his fitness – which could threaten his chances of starting the Old Trafford game four days later. Spurs have been strong in defence of late and should start with King and Woodgate at the back.
I’ve gone for an Arsenal striker though – up against a Bolton side who have been shipping goals alarmingly of late. Megson’s side could be without Cahill in central defence, while Steinsson will be missing from right-back. I expect the hot and cold Nasri to cause problems and both Adebayor and Van Persie should profit. I’ll take Van Persie for his set-piece contribution.
Let’s cast an eye over some alternatives. At the back I was actually tempted to take a look at the returning Glenn Johnson for Portsmouth. It’s just one clean sheet in eleven games for Pompey but with City ravaged by injuries and Adams on a new crusade for clean sheets, he almost looks worth a punt. The Arsenal defence also looks strong against Bolton, although the absence of both Gallas and Silvestre is a concern. Bolton have a habit of doing well against against the Gunners so I can just see them nicking a set-piece goal in this one. Djourou offers great value if you fancy them for another shut-out here.
In midfield – Sunderland’s Malbranque is worth consideration if, like me, you back Sunderland scoring a couple at the Riverside. Portsmouth’s Kranjcar also looks a good option if you see Portsmouth coming out of their defensive shell and asking some questions of the flaky City defence.
Fulham’s Andy Johnson looks a strong alternative up front if you see goals against Blackburn. If you’re looking for an omen to inspire you- how about Michael Owen who has 11 goals in 13 games against West Ham throughout his career. In the same match, West Ham’s Cole is on fire after some extra training with Zola over Christmas and he will fancy it against the unpredictable Newcaste defence.