We’re in week two – are you back in the swing of this yet? I’m slowly dusting off the summer rust, the Scout Pick sinews are stretched and match fitness is almost achieved. Catch the justification for my gameweek two selection before the ageing limbs get the better of me…
The Defence
Scott Carson
The West Brom keeper is a gamble in clean sheet terms although his Save Point potential goes someway to balance this. Carson will face a Sunderland side who, despite having Darren Bent in their ranks, can struggle for goals and form away from the Stadium of Light. The game represents a great chance for the Baggies to get some points on the board then and Carson’s performance will be a major factor if they are to succeed.
Leighton Baines
Baines always supplies a ready supply of crosses from the left and will be integral to Everton’s attacking efforts against Wolves this weekend. Expect to see him get at Foley or a fit-again Zubar and provide the overlap with Steven Pienaar. Clean sheet returns also look favourable against a Wolves side who often came for 0-0 draws away from home last term. Jagielka is your alternative if Baines’ attacking instincts are too rich for your Fantasy pockets.
Thomas Vermaelen
The luxury item within the Gunner’s defence, Vermaelen will be hard pushed to match his strike rate from last term but is nonetheless Arsenal’s major source of goals from the back. The Arsenal defence has been disrupted by the suspension of Koscielny and that could see Johan Djourou come into the Gunners lineup to provide short-term value against Blackpool. Vermalen is the prime target if you have the cash however.
Liam Ridgewell
Still plying his trade in the left-back role, Ridgewell has a knack of drifting forward to join the attack and always poses a threat from set-plays. Larsson’s set-piece delivery was key at Sunderland and could be again at home to Blackburn. Defensive returns could also be on offer against a Rovers side who will look to keep things tight and could be without the influential David Dunn.
Ashley Cole
Like Vermaelen, Cole is the rich man’s option in the Chelsea back four. A constant attacking influence down the left, he demonstrated against West Brom that he will again find his way into the box two-to-three times a match and threaten a goal. Alex offers a cheaper option of course, without the attacking zest.
The Midfield
Florent Malouda
The Frenchman started the season how he left off, pouring forward in support of Didier Drogba and demonstrating his eye for goal and finishing skills. With Lampard sitting in a deeper midfield role, Malouda, along with Nicklas Anelka, will be charged in providing the attacking threat cutting inside from the left flank allowing Ashley Cole room to overlap ahead of him. Wigan will look to combat that and restrict Malouda’s threat but he again looks a strong candidate for returns.
Mikel Arteta
The Everton playmaker is almost certain to be amongst the Bonus Points in any Everton victory and with his influence from central midfield and at set-pieces, he always represents strong potential for attacking returns. Team-mate’s Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar provide options and if anything Cahill is more likely to figure on the scoresheet. Arteta’s Bonus potential is the key factor in his selection for the Fantasy Premier League game however.
Seb Larsson
Outstanding in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland in gameweek one, Larsson has worked his way into Alex McLeish’s side bringing a ready supply of crosses from the left together with strong set-piece delivery which threatens to exploit the threat posed by the likes of Ridgewell and the giant Nikola Zigic. Larsson should start again this weekend and will be a major source of creativity as Birmingham look for their first home win.
Graham Dorrans
I’m going to take a punt here. I’m backing Dorrans to make an impact this season and if that’s going to be the case then fixtures like a home game with Sunderland have got to factor. So influential in the Baggies promotion season, he enjoyed a quiet game at Stamford Bridge but will surely look to rise to the occasion for the first game in the top flight in front of his own fans. A set-piece hogger and the major creative force in midfield, I’m expecting Dorrans to push up in a 4-5-1 against a Sudnerland side without Cattermole and Mensah and get amongst the points as a result.
The Forwards
Didier Drogba
It’s almost unthinkable to turn your back on Drogba following his hat-trick against West Brom. There were doubts over his fitness going into that game with a just over two weeks since his hernia op but Drogba proved undeterred by that and demonstrated that he will be up there with the top points scorers this season and likely continue to lead the chase for the Golden Boot.
Marouane Chamakh
The temptation is to go with Robin Van Persie as a route to Arsenal’s likely attacking profits at home to Blackpool, but Chamakh should at least be guaranteed his start whereas the situation with Van Persie remains cloudy. A fortunate assist last time out at Anfield, Chamakh promises greater things on his home debut and presents a cheaper, more secure starter than the heavy-hitting Dutchman.