A full midweek programme serves up double fixtures for four sides and, on paper, decent goal potential for all the top sides. It’s proved to be a difficult week for the Scout Picks though – so tough in fact I was faced with having to break my own principles before I could be happy with the selection. Read on for the scandal behind the selection…
So yes, I’ve broken my own, self-imposed discipline this week. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I’ve had to eat the rules and wash it down with a big jug of principles, in order to opt for three United players and select the threat of Rooney up front. In another week where striking options are so ridiculously thin on the ground, I just couldn’t see any other route. I’ve also allowed myself the luxury of a third Fulham player – although I resisted the temptation to go with him in my eleven.
I tried hard to work around this, but in the end I couldn’t settle on any alternative selections. That said, please read on, because outside of the eleven or fourteen players I’ve selected, there are some excellent prospects that are well worthy of consideration.
Before we move on to the picks though, and without a midweek meander to cover this, let’s go over my views on the double gameweek situation for the four sides involved, as this will help clear up the thinking behind some of the picks and some of the omissions.
Fulham look the best of the bunch – they have two home games against Hull and Blackburn which should bring them two-to-three goals and offer potential for clean sheets. Schwarzer, Hangeland, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson and even Zamora are all worthy of consideration then, and should see profit from this gameweek.
The other three sides with double fixtures look far less attractive. Blackburn themselves have the trip to Fulham and a home game with Everton – neither of them are easy games and with a lack of midfield talent and rotation a threat up front, it makes it difficult to consider their players. Warnock is the best of their picks given that he is likely to start in midfield in at least one of the games and has the potential to bring in defensive points.
Sunderland have a trip to Anfield and a home game with Spurs. I see both these games as tight affairs, with Sbragia likely to employ a 4-5-1 at Anfield – while Spurs could turn up with a similar system at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have Jones and Cisse of course but only one will play at Anfield. Malbranque and Richardson are options but the Frenchman is carrying a knock and is a slight doubt and I don’t see attacking profits for either.
Redknapp’s side are the fourth outfit with two fixtures this gameweek and while the home game with Boro looks fairly attractive, with Boro’s return to form and new defensive resolve (1 goal conceded in the last 4), I don’t see too many goals in that one or the away trip to Sunderland. The likes of Lennon, Modric and Keane will play in both games – but I can’t see big profits for these three. They are certainly worth a punt as a free transfers in the FPL but I’m not sure I’d be happy spending points on getting them on the promise of returns. Corluka – possibly the safest option in the Tottenham back four, could be a better option if you’re keen on Spurs investment.
Having cleared up my thinking on the four double teams then, let’s get on with the picks and start in goal, where my confidence in Fulham’s defence is mirrored by the selection of Schwarzer. No real shocks here, although I’m not so sure about the clamour to hand the Fulham keeper the FPL armband. He has profited from a penalty save and maximum FPL bonus in recent weeks, which have significantly boosted his returns. We can’t bank on similar points against Hull and Blackburn but, there’s a chance of at least one clean sheet and some save points.
In front of Schwarzer, the reliable Vidic returns. No explanation required here. United are at Newcastle and it’s difficult to see the home side breaching Vidic and the United defence. Bosingwa – a firm fantasy favourite who has dipped in form and favour of late, also makes a return. He will surely start for Chelsea at Portsmouth and I see him as a threat down the right against the heavy-legged Hreidarsson. A clean sheet and attacking returns could be on the cards.
Liverpool can’t be relied upon for clean sheets right now but they host a Sunderland side who are likely to turn up with a 4-5-1 and pose few questions to the the home defence. Carragher is the safest option here – although Skrtel and Hyypia present cheaper alternatives. God knows who will start at left-back – Dossena looks most likely but it’s a brave fantasy manager who explores that avenue.
Talking of Liverpool left-backs, the final spot goes to Blackburn’s Warnock, for the reasons I explained earlier. The Rovers full-back has been deployed in midfield by Allardyce recently and so offers potential at both ends. With two fixtures in the gameweek, his return potential is just enough to warrant his selection in the picks.
There are several players with omens on their side for this set of fixtures and moving into the midfield, we come across the first of those. Chelsea’s Lampard has scored seven goals against Portsmouth for the Blues and has three goals in two games against them this season alone. He keeps his place in the midfield then, and is a decent prospect for FPL captain if you believe in omens and are looking for a differential.
Ronaldo is a rotation risk for the trip to Newcastle having played out 120 minutes at Wembley on Sunday. While this makes him a gamble as an FPL captain option, it’s mighty difficult to drop him altogether from the picks. I can easily see him playing just an hour at St James’s, depending on whether United can establish an early advantage. Even so, that’s long enough for him to do significant damage and bring in the points.
Tim Cahill is a must-pick right now given his role in the Everton side and his record of 5 goals in the last 10 league games. They travel to Blackburn on Wednesday which is by no means an easy fixture but it’s just so hard to bet against Moyes’ side right now given their consistency. They might need a couple of goals to prevail at Ewood and if Everton are going to score, then you have to bet on Cahill to figure. I’ve also a feeling for Fellaini but I’m trying to fight that one off.
I’ve gambled on Nasri for my final midfield pick – mainly because I see Arsenal amongst the goals at the Hawthorns but can’t bring myself to select Van Persie yet again. Nasri’s points have dried up considerably after a bright start in Arsenal’s colours but with his place likely to come under threat in weeks to come (Walcott, Fabregas, Rosicky and Eduardo are near fitness) he will need to step up his game. The Gunners have scored six goals in their last four away games and West Brom should let them play. That might see 2-3 goals for Wenger’s side and Nasri could be in the profits.
Moving up front and Wayne Rooney is another who has omens on his side. He has scored more goals against Newcastle than any other side (8 in total). We know he starts at Newcastle and I just can’t see the home side coping with the league leaders. Ferguson’s side should be good for two to three goals and Rooney looks likely to be amongst the points.
I’ve gone for Fulham’s Andrew Johnson as his partner, as I see Fulham notching at least three Fulham goals over the Hull and Blackburn home fixtures – and that should see some profit with FPL bonus, for the diminutive striker.
Let’s dig deeper and look at some alternatives to my eleven. I’ve already mentioned Hangeland and Paintsil as strong defensive options if you’re looking to stock up on Fulham defenders – both are popluar fanatsy picks. Elsewhere, Djourou will play for Arsenal at West Brom and he offers strong value for the gameweek given Arsenal’s recent defensive form. You also have Baines for Everton at Blackburn and the Wigan defence at home to West Ham – which looks a low scoring affair. N’Zogbia could be an option there as he continues in a midfield role.
Moving into the midfield, and I like Benayoun (my faith in him has got to come to something soon) as an alternative to the expensive Gerrard and the less expensive but wasteful Kuyt, against Sunderland at Anfield. I can’t see too many goals in this one but the the midfielder will have confidence after heading the winner against Madrid and looks a likely starter after being benched at Boro last time out.
Elsewhere, Downing’s form could bring Boro some joy and him some profits from the White Hart Lane encounter and Fulham’s Dempsey and Murphy are well worth a look with the two home games this week. United”s peripheral midfielders – Park, Fletcher and Carrick could also be worth a look as they appear to be starters for the trip to Newcastle.
The City vs Villa encounter has some big fantasy midfield names in opposition but none of them look particularly great prospects for the gameweek. Ireland is possibly the pick but he will have to carry the burden of City’s attacking threat without Bellamy and Robinho in the side. Just how will their absence affect City? Pretty badly I’d imagine. Villa are hardly fluent right now but have have been incredibly successful on the road with recent wins at Sunderland, Portsmouth and Blackburn. Young and Barry offer midfield options, as Villa look good to nick this one, but I don’t see goals or significant profit here.
Finally, options up front are typically sparse. That’s best represented by the fact that I’ve turned to Bendtner as my bench option for a budget striker. Stoke’s Beattie – at home to Bolton is also a very strong alternative. Once again though, there are few strikers who catch the eye – perhaps McCarthy and Santa Cruz are worth a punt given that they have the two matches but they are up against strong defences in Everton and Fulham.
Could Agbonlahor do something at last for Villa at City? It’s long overdue and the big pitch at Eastlands should suit him. It’s not enough for me or indeed, any fantasy manager to take a transfer punt but if you’ve still got him in your squad, I’ve just a feeling that your patience or lethargy could pay off.