Hardly a gameweek goes by without double fixtures clouding the issue. This time around the prize on offer from Everton and Birmingham looks far from glittering but even so, it’s been hard to turn the back on the beckoning call of double returns.
Away from that pairing, the gameweek looks potentially very healthy. While United’s assets at both end are nullified by an unattractive Anfield encounter, both Arsenal and Chelsea look destined for big profits against the worst two defences in the league on current form. City may even found themselves cutting loose in a plum home fixture with Wigan. Likewise, there should be goals at Upton Park and the Reebok to offer differentials further down the price scale.
Fantasy Managers should enter the gameweek with some confidence then, with our without the “double dealing” in the transfer market.
The Defence
Ben Foster is almost a given in the Scout Picks goal, although there is an argument that a Roger Johnson/Wojciech Szczesny combination would be as, if not more effective alternative to my pairing with Arsenal’s Johan Djourou. Foster at least offers the opportunity to gain Save Points should Birmingham fail to keep their clean sheet against the Baggies and at Goodison.
Aside from Djourou, who should start in an Arsenal defence that has kept 6 cleanies in 8 league matches, my back four includes an obligatory Everton defender. Leighton Baines gets the nod with his attacking threat over team-mate Seamus Coleman – I’ve just the suspicion that the young Irishman will either get his pitch time cut, or even earn a rest of one of his two fixtures.
Aleksandar Kolarov holds his Picks starting role, despite continuing concerns over his defensive qualities. A home clash with Wigan offers strong clean sheet potential and the Serb’s delivery from a deadball is always a threat. He’s also guaranteed to fire in another couple of long-range efforts in Ali Al Habsi’s direction.
The final back four spot goes to Brede Hangeland. For me, the Fulham defence, the in-form unit in the league, is a key differential this gameweek, with cheap options available via Chris Baird, Carlos Salcido and Aaron Hughes. Hangeland is the luxury choice – he comes in more expensive but arguably has the greater goal and Bonus potential.
The Midfield
Another Fulham starter, Clint Dempsey earns selection in midfield. As mentioned, I fancy goals at the Cottage and for Chelsea at Bloomfield Road. The American, along with Frank Lampard, offer me coverage of these two sides. Our Members can view the Gameweek statistics for the last four and see just how much of threat these two have been of late. Dempsey is clearly the most direct attacking within Mark Hughes’ side, even from a midfield role.
Lampard meanwhile, is a pricy option, but with uncertainty on Carlo Ancelotti’s starters up front, he covers Chelsea’s attacking threat with his role at set-pieces and spot-kicks always a likely earner.
Samir Nasri looks the key purchase for the Gameweek. He will surely find a spot in the Arsenal starting lineup with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott sidelined. The Frenchman sparkled in a bitterly disappointing Gunners display at Wembley last weekend and, when you throw in the prospect of free-kicks and penalties against Sunderland – on current form one of the weakest backline in the league – you begin to realise the potential on offer here.
Everton’s Mikel Arteta gives me coverage should David Moyes’ side produce some attacking returns over their two games. I’m hesitant here because Everton have stuttered and the trip to St James’ Park will be far from easy. After that, you’re backing Everton against Birmingham having invested in their back four – it feels uncomfortable. While I’ve turned my back on the potential offered by Louis Saha then (Big Dunc will make the case for him later), Areta does at least offer set-piece involvement and, should Everton earn a first league penalty of the season, cover in that area too.
The Forwards
Carlos Tevez was another nailed-on selection up front. City will surely notch a couple against a polite Wigan defence and it’s hard to imagine that Tevez will come out of the gameweek without returns as a result.
His partner was far more problematic. I’d like to gamble on a Fernando Torres but his price tag is a major deterrent. At the other end of the scale, I fancy both Daniel Sturridge and Moussa Dembele to come out of the gameweek with returns – the latter makes my bench. Even Nicklas Bendtner was nestled in the Picks at one stage today – only fears on his pitch time prior to the date in Barcelona saw him ousted at the death.
In the end, Nikola Zigic presented the safe option – not a route a like to take, but I couldn’t ignore the fact that Birmingham have found a way to get the best from the giant Serb and that they will face a West Brom defence that has continued to struggle against an aerial threat. The double gameweek for Zigic will also guarantee him extra returns of course, with the chance that he may also inflict damage on Everton’s erratic rearguard at Goodison.
