Snowed in with just Sky Sports news and a constant supply of tea and cake (it’s been tough), I’ve had longer than normal to contemplate my Scout Picks selection this week. Will it help? Not likely.
I’ve made eight changes to last week’s side. It’s scandalous I tell you. Read on for my brand of justification…
Clean sheets have long been a precious commodity this season and this week’s fixtures suggest that the trend is set to continue. Hunting defensive points again has us fantasy managers having to take risks on defenders who at least offer some potential of gains further up the field. This week’s Picks reflect this yet again.
The goalkeeping spot is always a challenge, although my task is somewhat eased by the potential bargain presented by United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. He will start for Ferguson’s men again, this time at Craven Cottage. The clean sheet potential here is likely to rely on the fitness of Vidic. He trained today and it’s hoped that he will start. If so then Kuszczak’s chances of returns will improve markedly. Without Vidic we may have to rely on save points but even so, with little on offer elsewhere and his budget price, the United keeper is a good option for this and certainly the weeks ahead.
It’s not often I’m forced to turn to the Arsenal defence but in this gameweek, Wenger’s defence looks a fairly decent option at home to Hull. Alex Song does at least give me some hope of registering attacking points – he’s also been bringing in Fantasy Premier League bonus of late. Without Fabregas we may well see a tighter, less cavalier Arsenal. That may just be enough to earn them rare defensive returns.
Wigan’s Paul Scharner has been plying his trade in an attacking midfield role in the main this season. With Diame injured, it’s likely that he’ll be shackled somewhat against Bolton on Monday but with Martinez set to start with a 4-4-2, we should still see Scharner offer some opportunities to get forward. The Bolton defence are yet to keep a clean sheet this season so goals for the home side certainly look likely.
Villa’s Richard Dunne has been one of the big success stories of the season both for Martin O’Neill and his fantasy owners. Currently topping the defender rankings in the Fantasy Premier League game, Dunne goes into the weekend fixture with Stoke off the back of three consecutive clean sheets. Another shut-out looks a good bet, while Dunne is always in the hat for bonus points and attacking gains from set-plays.
The final spot in my back four goes to the much-maligned Chelsea defence. They’ve been roundly criticised in recent weeks after shipping goals over their last five games. However, the trip to West Ham looks a very good fixture for Ancelotti’s side to re-establish their defensive form; Zola’s side are severely lacking confidence and a cutting edge. Ashley Cole has the potential for defensive returns then, plus he and Ivanovic have been constantly bombing forward to contribute to attacks. I’ll go with Cole, although Ivanovic looks likely to start again at right-back and offers good value.
Andrei Arshavin’s place in the midfield is assured given his new central attacking role but in Fabregas’ absence, his responsibilities increase even further. The Russian will surely be the major threat to Phil Brown’s side at the Emirates and he could even be handed spot-kicks in the skippers absence. Arshavin struck the post at Burnley having scored in two consecutive games in his new role. I see him adding to his goal tally this weekend.
I have to go with form on my next two picks, although there is part of me concerned that by selecting for the gameweek, it’s a case of chasing points from previous weeks. Villa’s James Milner is simply irresistible in his current run of form and will be the fulcrum of Villa’s attacking playing going into the home game with Stoke. Aaron Lennon is another player displaying strong form right now and he will be the major concern for the Blackburn defence at Ewood. So much of Tottenham’s attacking threat comes from the right-wing and I can see Redknapp’s side notching a couple more goals, with Lennon amongst the assists once more.
I’ve taken more of a gamble with the final midfield pick. Nenad Milijas has started to show glimpses of the form that earned him some pre-season attention on signing for Wolves in the Summer and he is set to earn a recall to McCarthy’s side for their clash with Burnley on Saturday. Milijas should be the major creative force on show for the home side and will likely dominate set-plays. I see a good few goals in this encounter, with neither defence looking capable of keeping their opponents at bay. Milijas may profit and is certainly worth a punt given his budget price.
No Lampard. No Joe Cole. Both will play and threaten returns against a poor West Ham side. However I’ve opted to cover Chelsea’s goals at Upton Park by selecting their chief damage dealer up front. With Didier Drogba declared fit by Ancelotti earlier today, one of the spots in attack is made easy. Drogba should find the West Ham defence a comfortable enough opponent and his outstanding goals record this season should be extended further. His striking partner was more difficult to find but in the end I opted for Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega. Backing Martinez’ side is always risking; they’ve been so inconsistent over the season. As I’ve mentioned however, the Bolton defence has yet to keep a cleanie this term and with a 4-4-2 planned for the home side, Rodallega is set to be a major threat on Monday night
Looking to my bench and selecting a sixth defensive prospect is never easy – it looks even harder this week. Again I’ve found myself looking at those who present some attacking threat. First up, I’ve a feeling that Everton’s Baines will have some joy for Everton at home to Birmingham. McLeish’s side arrive at Goodison with incredible form but I see this game being a tight one that may well go to the home side by the odd goal in 1-0. In the end I’ve gambled on Kevin Foley of Wolves who looks unlikely to keep a clean sheet at home to Burnley but is due to start on the right-wing for McCarthy’s men in a game of goals.
I’ve given my reserve midfield spot to Arsenal’s Diaby. Again I’m backing a hunch here. While a lot of attention will be handed to Aaron Ramsey in the absence of Fabregas, I just see Diaby being a big player for Wenger against Hull. He’s just come back from injury and is a slight selection risk with Denilson also available but I’m confident he’ll start and be a threat to Hull City. Elsewhere, I like the look of O’Hara’s set plays against the “zonal” Liverpool defence and Wigan’s N’Zogbia against Bolton.
Burnley’s Steven Fletcher takes my strikers position – as mentioned, I see goals at Molineux and when Burnley score, Fletcher is never far from the fantasy points. Team-mate Eagles is another decent midfield selection if you need one. As for other strikers – you really can’t go far wrong. The likes of Agbonlahor, Defoe, Rooney, Adebayor, Bent, Torres and Saha all have fixtures that suggest they could increase their tallies this weekend. For an outside bet you could even look to Fulham’s Zamora against the limping United defence. I’m not about to back him having selected Kuszczak but he has form and will certainly fancy his chances. I’ve also a feeling that we will see Ebanks-Blake on the scoresheet for Wolves from open play at long last.