Not for the first time this season, the path to defensive returns looks fraught. Gameweek 30 serves up a tricky array of fixtures that is made even more troublesome by injuries that ravage both Man United and Aston Villa – two sides who would normally look strong options for clean sheets with Wolves and Bolton in their backyards.
Our Fantasy lineups will again be weighted heavily towards attack, our defensive investment guided by the likelihood of returning assists or even goals. It’s a familiar tale in what has been a rocky season for the Fantasy defender.
In attacking terms the options do at least look plentiful – Arsenal’s cutting edge is back on the menu, as is Tottenham’s Dutch master and with Frank Lampard also finding form, our midfields are likely to be filled with big names who will carry the bulk of our expectations. It’s no surprise to see that reflected in this week’s Scout Picks.
The Defence
Tottenham’s Heurelho Gomes gets the nod in the Scout goal – this was a close call, with Paul Robinson tussling with him till the last. Neither Blackburn’s or Tottenham’s clean sheets look assured at home to Blackpool and West Ham respectively – both opponents who carry plenty of attacking menace. Gomes has the slight edge however – I see him returning some Save Points at the very least and he grants me the freedom to look to Chris Samba to cover Rovers. Samba’s superior goal threat compared to Tottenham’s Michael Dawson, earned him the nod as my first defender.
Everton’s clean sheet is far from guaranteed against Fulham at Goodison but Leighton Baines has that attacking dimension and, with Mikel Arteta sidelined, he will take up the burden as controller on set-pieces. His influence will surley be significant if David Moyes’ side can earn the points.
If you’re looking for attacking returns from your defenders then Robert Huth is the first name that comes to the fore. His 6 goals from the back have been invaluable to the Potters cause and our Members’ OPTA stats show that he guarantee’s at least one effort on goal a game – indeed, he’s had more efforts on goal this season than Kevin Davies, Kevin Doyle and even Javier Hernandez.
The final spot in the back four was up for grabs – Wigan’s Antolin Alcaraz and Villa’s Kyle Walker (despite the new faces alongside him), were both contenders, as was United’s Chris Smalling. In the end I’ve opted to back the Chelsea back four against a City side who have struggled for goals of late. David Luiz is unquestionably the key asset in the Blues defence, having proven already that he has the attacking threat and overall influence to fetch supplementary points to bolster any clean sheet returns. Carlo Ancelotti has already confirmed Luiz as a starter on Sunday.
The Midfield
In attacking terms, the Picks were almost too easy. In midfield it’s hard to ignore the lure of Villa’s Ashley Young who will go into the home clash with Wolves off the back of a mammoth 18 point return on his last home outing. The penalty miss at the Reebok blotted the copybook but Young should remain on spot-kicks and will surely be a major figure playing just off Darren Bent. Villa will likely need a strong attacking display given their host of absentees at the back.
Arsenal always warrant attacking representation and this week is no different as they go in search of goals at the Hawthorns. Roy Hodgson’s outfit have tightened up of late but you still have to back the Gunners for at least a couple. With Cesc Fabregas asbsent, Samir Nasri will again be charged with pulling strings and exerting his influence on set-plays. Attacking returns and Bonus look a strong bet.
Rafael Van der Vaart is a gamble having just returned from injury, but, given his devastating form prior to his spell on the sidelines, it’s a risk worth taking. West Ham are at the Lane this weekend in a London derby that will stretch Harry Redknapp’s men in a game that looks set to deliver goals. Van der Vaart will be expected to start, play a major part on set-plays and retain spot-kick duties, despite his miss against Bolton on his last appearance.
Nani would be the obvious candidate to complete the midfield but I’m going to stick with Frank Lampard and go with my hunch that Ancelotti’s side will edge their Stamford Bridge encounter with City. Lampard’s form is strong, his influence on Chelsea growing once more and, while Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba shuffle for supremacy up front, Frank has emerged as a true Fantasy force once again.
Beyond my rather obvious list of selections there are differentials available that warrant consideration. Jamie O’Hara was subject to our Watchlist article earlier in the week and will be a prominent figure should Wolves earn any joy at Villa Park. The Wigan pairing of Charles N’Zogbia and Victor Moses (look for more on him in Big Dunc’s “Spot the Differential” later) are fascinating options at home to Birmingham. Then you have the Villa pairing of Stewart Downing and Marc Albrighton, viable alternatives should Ashley Young’s stretch the coffers to breaking point.
The Forwards
Up front, Robin Van Persie doubles up our Arsenal coverage but is irresistible given his prominence in Arsene Wenger’s attacking ploys. Absent for the recent 0-0 with Sunderland, Van Persie made his return against Barcelona and United in the FA Cup and looks a certain starter at the Hawthorns. He and Nasri will be the key threats and should earn profit in an Arsenal victory.
After omitting Nani from the midfield, Wayne Rooney has to be given the second slot up front. While it’s an uncomfortably easy and obvious route to take, Rooney’s potential in a game in which United will surely need a couple of goals, is just simply too strong to ignore.
While these two will stretch any Fantasy budget, there are clear options lower down the price bracket that threaten decent gameweek returns. Darren Bent is an alternative if you want to maximise your Villa attacking coverage, similarly Jermain Defoe looks a strong option for those who have long since given up on Rafael Van der Vaart’s injury situation. The Liverpool pairing of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll also look strong against a Sunderland defence that has suffered of late – I’ve not quite got the confidence to back them here though and prefer Asamoah Gyan in opposition. For a real budget option here though, be sure to check out Big Dunc’s “Differentials” for some further insight.
