With the chances of us using the “Snow Joke” pun increasing every 24 hours, we’re entering a nervous few weeks in Fantasy terms. For now, our fixture list remains intact – safe from the ravages of our climate and the jobsworth application of the “Stadium Health and Safety Guidelines”. That thankfully gives me the full complement from which to plunder my Scout Pick selection, give or take a fragile Fabregas and a doubtful Dutchman…
The Defence
Mark Schwarzer
The goalkeeper’s spot gave handed me the biggest headache this week as, once again, clean sheets looked hard to come by. In the end, with defenders offering attacking potential elsewhere, I’ve opted to back Fulham’s defence against a Birmingham side that have shown erratic form away from home. Schwarzer, the must-have goalkeeping option last season, has slipped from the radar with a price increase and an inconsistent Fulham defence but he should return a Save Point or two this weekend at the very least.
Rafael
One of our “Spot the Differential” picks this week, the Brazilian has found some consistency to mix with his undoubted talent and has seemingly convinced Alex Ferguson that he warrants regular selection at left-back. Blackburn will test the questionable United rearguard but Rafael offers a cheap route to a possible clean sheet here, with a degree of attacking threat thrown in for good measure.
Leighton Baines
With Chelsea’s defence looking fragile and Rafael offering a cut-price option within the United back four, this week’s heavyweight defensive slot goes to Everton’s left-back. Baines notched his fourth and fifth assists of the season at Sunderland last time out and his link up with the raiding runs of Tim Cahill is a continuous feature of Everton’s attacking play. A home tie with struggling West Brom presents Baines with every chance of returns at both ends.
Gary Cahill
Bolton have kept just one clean sheet all season – at home to Fulham on day one. A shutout is long overdue and while Blackpool will carry plenty of attacking intent, Ian Holloway’s side have scored just 4 goals in their last 5 away trips. More to the point, Cahill has threatened attacking points in recent weeks with several breaks from the back ending in curling long-range efforts. Cahill will break his duck for the season soon and this week, against a porous Blackpool defence without their first choice keeper, looks as good as any.
Aleksandar Kolarov
City’s Serbian left-back will face a stern test at the Britannia and to be honest, a clean sheet against an in-form Stoke looks unlikely. Having said that, Roberto Mancini’s side have a strong defensive record and are second only to Arsenal in terms of away form. Attacking points could be the key for Kolarov and, as stated in our recent Watchlist article, he demonstrated enough in his start at Fulham last weekend to highlight his potential in that area.
The Midfield
Nani
If you’re looking to back United’s attacking potential these days then Nani is the obvious route, even with Wayne Rooney in line for a start this weekend. Still holding on to the top scorer spot in the Fantasy Premier League game, a home fixture with Blackburn should give the Portuguese every opportunity to add to his impressive tally.
Tim Cahill
Five goals in his last eight Premier League games tells you that the Aussie midfielder is on fire. While David Moyes searches for a goalscoring solution from his strikers, Cahill has obliged to keep the Toffee’s season ticking over. The West Brom defence is amongst the most obliging in the league right now and the scene is set for Cahill to boost his goal count further.
Samir Nasri
While Fantasy Managers search further afield for the Cesc Fabregas replacement, maybe the ideal candidate is right under our noses. Nasri has shown outstanding form this term, with or without his skipper alongside him. The Gunners will miss the craft and guile of the Spaniard at Villa Park this weekend but I’m still backing a victory with goals. Nasri will play his part and if Wenger keeps Robin Van Persie in reserve, he’ll be on free-kicks and penalties.
Matt Jarvis
I’m keeping the faith with the Wolves flyer. Jarvis was once again Mick McCarthy’s most potent threat at Blackpool last weekend, firing in more crosses than any other player in the league over the weekend. Jarvis will come up against a Sunderland side who have had the heart of their defence ripped from them by injuries to Titus Bramble and Michael Turner. The conclusion? Sunderland will concede at Molineux and if that proves to be the case, then Jarvis is highly likely to play some part. Also look to David Jones and Nenad Milijas if you fancy a budget gamble.
The Forwards
Johan Elmander
While my selection of Kevin Davies in last week’s Picks paid off thanks to a couple of spot-kicks and yet more Bonus Points, I’m not too comfortable in overlooking the overwhelming lure of Elmander for a second week running. The big Swede is the definition of a “handful” right now and the Blackpool defence is facing a stern test from the Reebok’s striking duo. For my money, the heavy Fantasy investment in Elmander and Davies looks set to pay off.
Didier Drogba
The Ivorian is on one of his worst goalscoring runs having gone 5 starts without a strike. Chelsea’s form hasn’t helped matters and while Carlo Ancelotti’s side take the trip to Newcastle still lacking confidence, Drogba will come up against a home defence that will be fielding an untested centre-back pairing of Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor. Chris Hughton’s side come into the game having conceded five at Bolton, while Chelsea perhaps would have notched a similar total had it not been for the feats of Ben Foster in the Birmingham goal. Drogba has the opportunity to return to form and remind Fantasy Managers just why he looked so essential early on in the season.
