A gameweek that treats us to a lip-smacking noon clash at Old Trafford and, on paper, a series of home bankers which should see some fantasy points rolling in. I was able to bask in a wealth of options for this week’s Scout Picks but those have been narrowed it down to the usual 14 you now see displayed in your right-hand menu.
Check out the latest podcast and the midweek meander for further views on the weekend games prior to these picks. Also, take a glance at the monthly picks (in the right-hand menu), also updated earlier this week, if you’re looking for mid-term options.
Read on for the reasoning behind the roster…
I often like to look at budget options for keepers and this week is no different. Sunderland’s Fulop has been keeping Craig Gordon out of the Sunderland side and Sbragia has confirmed that this is set to continue at home to Wigan this weekend. Sunderland’s defence has improved at the Stadium of Light, while Wigan roll up with just two goals in the last eight games. Clean sheet potential is strong here then, and its going cheap.
Arsenal go into the Blackburn game having kept five consecutive clean sheets at the Emirates so their defence looks a strong bet again. There could be a threat of rotation in the centre of the defence given that Gallas and Toure both played 120 minutes in Rome on Wednesday. Djourou is Wenger’s option if he looks to rest either of his established centre-backs. That meant I’m going for Clichy who is off form this season but looks certain to start having been rested for the FA Cup game last weekend.
The Everton defence is another back four in strong form and their home game with a Stoke that have struggled on the road, looks another strong clean sheet candidate. Moyes has shuffled his back four in recent weeks but the absence of Hibbert with a thigh injury should limit his options for this one. Even, so, I’ve decided against Jagielka who seems set to be in the right-back spot. Instead I’ll go for the more expensive Lescott who has more chance of earning FPL bonus and Guardian defensive points in the centre-back role. He’s always good for a goal too. Baines is your budget option – he should start again and is getting forward regularly on the left.
My other two defenders come from the mid-price bracket, with both Bolton and West Ham facing sides that are struggling for goals away from home. Bolton haven’t been as solid as expected at the Reebok but did keep a clean sheet last time out against Newcastle and look a good option against a Fulham side, without form and who have really stuggled for goals away from the Cottage. There are some decent options in the Bolton back four but I’ve gone for Cahill who is always in the mix for FPL bonus points, earns good Guardian points and is a threat at set-plays. Steinsson is your other option, offering assist potential.
The final spot goes to West Ham’s Upson who comes up against West Brom at Upton Park. Upson has led the Hammers defence to four clean sheets in the last six games and they look good for another at home to Mowbray’s side who have rarely troubled home defences. Ilunga and Tompkins are your budget options here if Upson is too rich for you.
Moving into midfield and Lampard is a must pick in a Chelsea side that should be full of confidence against City following progression in the Champions League. Hughes’ side have improved in recent weeks but have travelled badly all season. A home win looks well and truly on the cards, as Chelsea attempt to keep pace with United – Lampard should be central to that win.
Ronaldo’s selection in the picks was in doubt given the fact that he faces Liverpool at Old Trafford. His form has stuttered all season but a goal in midweek against Inter should keep him confident going into this game. There’s a belief that Ronaldo rarely threatens in big games but if you’re tipping United to see off Liverpool in this one, then Ronaldo will surely be a factor given his attacking influence and dominance at set-plays.
Tim Cahill is close to being an essential selection right now given Everton’s form and fixtures. He has scored five goals in his last eleven league starts and against a fragile Stoke defence, is likely to be a major goal threat. A strong option for FPL captain for those who don’t have or don’t fancy Lampard.
I’ve gambled on the final spot – backing my hunch on Downing coming in to form for the final furlongs but opting for him against Portsmouth. The game at the Riverside could easily see very few goals, particularly if we don’t get an early breakthrough. That early goal could result in a three or four though, given the plight of both sides involved. I’m willing to take the gamble on Downing this week then. As a safety net, he has strong fixtures to bring in returns following this gameweek if pulls in another blank.
Up front I’ve kept room for Drogba by not selecting a Chelsea defender at home to Man City, even though they are good candidates for a clean sheet. Drogba is one of the few strikers in form though so needs to be in my eleven for the Stamford Bridge clash with Hughes’ side.
The spot alongside him was as tough one, with very few good options available. I could have kept faith with Rooney, another striker in form, but I’m worried about backing two United attacking players in what looks like a tough, tight encounter with Liverpool. Rooney remains a good option though.
West Ham’s Di Michele was also in the running given that the Hammers face the obliging West Brom defence at Upton Park. However, the injures to Collison and Behrami might just disrupt West Ham’s flow a little so I decided to keep him on my bench as a budget option.
Instead I’ve gone for Bolton’s Kevin Davies who is just about as unspectacular as they come as a striker option, but does offer decent potential this week against a Fulham defence that is off form and without season-long regular Aaron Hughes at the Reebok. Davies may not even line up alongside Elmander (also an option here) but will be a constant threat to Fulham regardless, particularly from set-plays. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come from this game with some attacking points and some FPL bonus. He’s always a strong scorer in the Guardian game too.
Looking at alternatives elsewhere in my “Scout Picks Squad” – I’ve gone Mendy on the bench as my budget defender. He’s always worth a punt in the right midfield role for Hull who are up against Newcastle this weekend. There should be goals in that one which is more likely to see attacking points for the Frenchman than a clean sheet. Portsmouth’s Johnson is someone I looked closely at given his attacking influence, although I can see Boro nicking the game at the Riverside and Johnson going home disappointed.
In midfield I’ve got Bolton’s Matt Taylor who misses out to Downing because of the “two player per club” rule that I often impose on myself. He still looks a good option this week and couple of gameweeks. Others who came into consideration included West Ham’s Noble who could step forward as more of a creative influence in the absence of Behrami and Collison. He also hogs set-pieces and spot-kicks of course. Everton’s mid-price midfielders – Osman, Fellaini and Pienaar should all start against Stoke and offer differential potential. Sunderland’s Andy Reid will take on more responsibility in the absence of Richardson due to suspension. While Lennon is on fire for Spurs of course, although I’m still undecided just how many goals we’ll see in the clash at Villa Park.
Up front I’ve already mentioned Di Michele who came close to making my eleven. You have Arshavin of course, who should start against Blackburn if you back Arsenal to cut loose at last at the Emirates. I’m still not completely sold on Arshavin’s points potential but there’s no doubting his class. Clearly he is a good differential option this week and going forward.
If Saha starts for Everton then he is another who looks good for points given the opposition this week. His starting role is still in doubt but he should certainly play some part at Goodison in what should be a home win by a comfortable margin. You have Jones and Cisse if you’re backing goals in the Sunderland vs Wigan game. Keane is in form for Spurs at Villa and Owen is back for Newcastle at Hull. Both look gambles, although all the Keane owners counting their points from the double gameweek may well be in for profits again given Villa’s current form blip.