According to Sir Elton John, Saturday night is alright for fighting. The trouble is, I’m not much of a fighter. So instead I thought I’d see what it’s like for selecting Fantasy footballers. It turns out it’s okay for that too. Each to his own eh Elton? Here’s the final Scout Picks of the season…
Lucasz Fabianski
Bundled and bullied by Blackburn last time out, Fabianski may still be sporting the bruises and wounded pride from the Ewood Park defeat but that shouldn’t detract from the fact that he offers decent clean sheet value this week. The Gunners will take on a weakened Fulham lineup at the Emirates, that’s a Fulham side who have struggled to score goals on their travels with just one strike in their last five away games. Arsene Wenger’s defence meanwhile has conceded just a single goal in thier last five home games. That all points to potential defensive returns from the Pole in goal.
Ashley Cole
The luxury option in the Chelsea back four, Cole is back from injury and building fitness for the World Cup. In a game which Chelsea must win and must score goals, Cole will be given licence to attack down Chelsea’s left-flank in tandem with Salomon Kalou. Visitors Wigan have a terrible away record with five defeats in their last five trips, scoring just three goals in the process. It’s difficult to see Ancelotti’s defence breached here then and Cole could well come back returns at both ends.
Patrice Evra
Like Cole, Evra is the key attacking full-back in the United lineup. Again, he starts in a match which must be won with goals almost guaranteed for United and Evra will play his part in attacking ploys down the left. Opponents Stoke have scored just three goals in their last five away matches and seem unlikely to pose a serious threat at the United end, provided Ferguson’s side ensure they concede few set-pieces.
Gareth Bale
The key defensive signing over the last couple of months, Bale continues to thrive on the left-side of Tottenham’s midfield and will surely have Burnley’s porous defence in his sights should Harry Redknapp unleash him in that position on Sunday. Burnley have scored just three goals in their last five Turf Moor matches and conceded 14. Bale, like Cole and Evra then, promises both attacking and defensive returns.
Leighton Baines
The final defensive spot goes to yet another of the season’s top attacking full-backs. Baines has quietly racked up points through clean sheets and assists over the past couple of months and should have every chance of adding to his tally at home to an under-strength Portsmouth on Sunday.
Frank Lampard
All the talk of Didier Drogba wrestling spot-kick duties from Lampard does not detract from the fact that Lampard will be a key component in Chelsea’s quest for goals and three points against Wigan. Four goals in his last three league outings is compelling evidence that Frank will be amongst the points in another Chelsea win here. Salomon Kalou possibly adds some cheap insurance for those unable to stretch to the Lampard lolly.
Nani
With Antonio Valencia sidelined, Alex Ferguson will hand the impish Nani the opportunity to patrol his preferred right-flank. We’ve seen him do damage from that side each time he’s stretched his legs there and he is set to give Higginbotham a torrid afternoon. I’m backing an assist and bonus from a United win here.
Mikel Arteta
Everything points to the fact that you need to go into Sunday with at least one attacking Everton player against an wounded and distracted Portsmouth. Baines will help but to cash in, you’ll need to look at Tim Cahill or better still playmaker Arteta. A hogger of Everton’s set-plays, the Spaniard will also be on spot-kicks and is set to orchestrate a comfortable home win for David Moyes’ side who have gone ten unbeaten.
Matt Taylor
Yes he’s back in the Scout Picks – but his inclusion is not an ironic statement or a last ditch opportunity for him to prove my ill-judged faith in him. Taylor looks a genuine prospect at home to Birmingham on Sunday. Despite an apparently disappointing season, Taylor has returned eight league goals and has a far higher shot count than any other Bolton player. I see a home win at the Reebok with Jack Wilshere influential as creator and Taylor getting on the act as a provider of a goal or set-piece assist.
Didier Drogba
My pair of strikers need no justification. Both fighting it out for the Golden Boot, they both seem set to come out of Sunday having added to their 26 goal tally. Drogba could well wrestle the ball from Lampard should Chelsea win a penalty when in a winning position but even without that assistance, Drogba looks primed to wreck the Wigan defence that will surely miss Bramble’s bulk and speed to counter the Ivorian.
Wayne Rooney
He might not be at 100% just yet but in a game that United have to win, it’s hard to imagine him not emerging with some points. He was unlucky at Sunderland last time out, turning provider for a mis-firing Dimitar Berbatov on more than one occasion. He’ll likely be more selfish in front of the Old Trafford faithful and I see him notching with FPL bonus.
The Bench
At the back I’ve opted for Jody Craddock and his set-piece threat and clean sheet potential against a travel sick Sunderland at Molineux. Bolton’s loanee from the Gunners, Jack Wilshere provides some budget potential in midfield – I see an assist and bonus for him on Sunday. Up front meanwhile it’s difficult to opt for a cheap option when the likes of Jermain Defoe, Carlos Tevez and Robin Van Persie all look likely scorers in their respective fixtures. Van Persie is the obvious candidate but, for the sake of recommending a lower cost option, I’ve put Louis Saha on my bench. Both he and Yakubu look set to come out of Sunday with further returns.