Right then. There’s no huge red herring of a double gameweek to distract us this time, so let’s get back to business. It’s Friday evening, so that means it’s a takeaway for tea. It also means that it’s time for the weekend Scout Picks…
I’ve opted for Given in goal – not because I’m naive enough to think that he’ll pull another penalty save but merely because the options in city’s defence against Burnley are questionable. Both Toure and Lescott are expensive and under threat from Kompany, while Bridge is an injury doubt; leaving Richards and Zabaleta to compete for the right back spot. It’s no fun in the City defence then. Given is clearly the cheapest and most reliable option for those looking to surf the potential City cleanie this week.
In front of him, you just have to have a Villa defender right now given the value they offer. It’s tempting to just alternate between Dunne and Collins – there really is little in it. I’ve gone for Dunne here, perhaps because he carries a slightly better chance of Fantasy Premier League bonus. Alongside of Villas barrel-chested Irishman, I like the look of two other centre-backs who offer a goal threat. Wigan’s Scharner should line up in an attacking midfield role at home to Fulham, while Blackburn’s Samba will doubtless get his head/leg/arse on the end of a couple of Dunn deliveries against Portsmouth. I’m not sure about clean sheets for either of them, although Wigan are unpredictable enough to shut Fulham out and Blackburn’s defence can sometimes find themselves in an stubborn mood at Ewood.
I’m gambling on Aurelio for the last spot in the defence again. If fit, I can see him starting in the Liverpool midfield and with Gerrard a likely absentee, his contribution from direct free-kicks will be a threat to Birmingham on Monday. I’m not totally comfortable on risking big cash on a Liverpool defender with a limp, but I’m feeling reckless.
Moving to midfield and Fabregas is again an automatic choice. It would surely be foolish to ignore the Arsenal playmaker in his current form, so I won’t. Two goals in the Champions League in midweek again confirmed his attacking potential. Along with Arshavin and Van Persie, he’ll be central to Arsenal’s threat at Molinuex. By all means invest in all three if you’ve got the means.
Blackburn’s David Dunn takes a spot alongside the Arsenal man. I’ve backed this fella ever since he got back to fitness – he’s simply flourished in the role just off the frontman and Allardyce continues to put faith in him in that position. Dunn also owns set-plays and spot-kicks. I’m looking to them to play a major role against Portsmouth.
Deadball situations plays a major part in my selection of Gareth Barry. City should be good for a couple of goals at home to a Burnley side who have shipped 17 goals in five games on the road so far. Whilst Adebayor looks set to start up front, he’s out of form and there’s still a slight question mark over his fitness. The likes of Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, Petrov and Ireland have their starting roles and minutes on the pitch under threat right now- so in the short-term, Barry looks the sensible option. He’s contributed a goal and two assists so far and he’s got every chance of adding to that tally this weekend. FPL bonus is never far away either.
The final midfield spot was a close run thing between the Liverpool double act – Kuyt and Benayoun. Basically, they are all that’s left of Liverpool’s fantasy offerings in attacking terms now we have Gerrard and Torres nursing groins. I’ve gone for the cheaper and more creative Benayoun this time around, despite the fact that Kuyt may well lead the attack in the absence of Torres. I see Benayoun being the key to unlocking the solid barndoor that Birmingham are likely to nail to the goal on Monday evening.
Moving to the strikers, and I had to keep faith with Van Persie. It’s hard to see the Dutchman pass through a gameweek without at least an assist and bonus and again he’ll be a key threat for Arsenal against the Wolves defence. I’ve paired him with Tottenham’s Defoe, who should return to the Spurs lineup after serving his three-match suspension. Spurs have struggled without him, so I can’t imagine that Redknapp would be stubborn enough to leave him benched. Steve Bruce’s defence have conceded 8 goals away from home, while Spurs have averaged two goals a game at White Hart Lane. Stats and logic are on my side with Defoe then.
Looking to my bench and Stoke’s Shawcross can count himself unlucky to be found there. I’ve opted to gamble on Scharner and Samba – simply because they have home fixtures. I might regret that. Stoke have been mean away from home and their defence looks a strong bet at the KC stadium this weekend. Arsenal’s Gibbs is another good option now. Dead cheap and against opponents that may well be so occupied with defending, they could make little or no impression at the other end. The Gunners are just so attacking though – I just don’t trust them to keep cleanies away from home right now.
Moving to midfield and for some reason I fancy Kieran Richardson to cause Spurs problems at White Hart Lane if he gets a midfield role. There’s every chance that he’ll play up behind Bent with Campbell shifted out wide. I remember all too well how effective Richardson was in that position in the pre-season and I just wonder if Bruce will give him the opportunity to give Spurs cause for concern this weekend. Andy Reid is a more obvious choice. He has a point to prove against his former club and will likely be at the heart of everything that’s good about the Black Cats. Outside of this pair, you have Prince Boateng for Portsmouth, Hunt for Hull and Taylor for Bolton – all three were in my thinking my failed to make the sqauad.
Up front there are almost too many options. I like Beattie for Stoke away at Hull – call it a gut feeling but I see him fetching some points here. Similarly, I’ve got doubts on the Liverpool clean sheet against Birmingham at Anfield – so much so that I’m backing Benitez to make an impression and maybe break his Premier League duck. Chuck in Sunderland’s Bent and Campbell, Rodallega against Fulham and even West Ham’s fleet-footed Hines at home to Everton, and those who fancy/need a differential have plenty of options.
By the way, for those of you who are foolish enough to put any stock in my picks – I’ve put together a little wager with our friends at Paddy Power. You can get odds of 16/1 on Villa keeping a clean sheet and both Dunn and Van Persie to score. You can also get odds of of 15/2 on clean sheets for Villa, City and Liverpool. Have a flutter if you fancy. Don’t forget you can still get a free £20 bet if you sign up for an account and bet a tenner.