We’re back and it feels good. An early pint on Friday evening. A lie-in on Saturday morning; the break had its benefits but the empty void of a weekend without gameweek action seemed suffocating.
The nervy twitch at 11.30am on Saturday was still there, but the brain remained confused as to why I was being led aimlessly around shops when I should have been sifting statistics and tinkering with transfers? What’s this fresh air business? Where’s the comforting glow of the laptop with Jeff chattering in my ear?
Everything was wrong back then, which is why I’m not the only one around these parts eagerly embracing the return of the Fantasy routine. That routine includes the Scout Picks – my way of getting my brain in gear for the gameweek and opening the floodgates for Friday night’s Fantasy musings. Let’s waste no more time.
The Defence
Finding five clean sheets looks a big ask yet again. While the likes of Aleksandar Kolarov and Leighton Baines both look shaky shutout choices, their attacking threat is sufficient to see them earn the nod in the Picks yet again. Both are set to play a major roles down the left-flank and at set-plays – Baines in particular will surely benefit from Mikel Arteta’s absence on direct free-kicks.
Around those two, I’ve opted for Birmingham’s Roger Johnson – preferred to his keeper Ben Foster, due to his set-piece goal threat and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Bonus potential. The Arsenal back four is my other selection for a clean sheet – while I see United conceding at West Ham and Chelsea surrendering a goal at Stoke, Arsene Wenger’s men should dominate a travel-sick Blackburn at the Emirates and offer decent defensive potential as a result. Selection is difficult – with Johan Djourou and Wojciech Szczesny sidelined, there is no cheap route to take here. Laurent Koscielny at 5.9, offers the cheapest route and one which provides the greatest attacking threat from set-plays.
That leaves my keeper, a spot that goes to Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer. Blackpool will no doubt pose an attacking threat at the Cottage but Mark Hughes’ side have conceded just a couple of goals in their last five home encounters. Schwarzer, a key Fantasy signing last season, has never lived up to that billing this time around, but will be expected to return Save Points at the very least this gameweek.
The Midfield
Two of the midfield look pretty much essential for this and gameweeks to come. United’s Nani is the top scoring player in the Fantasy Premier League game and can be relied upon to threaten returns against any opposition. With West Ham posing a real threat to United this weekend, it could very well draw a real sting from the Portuguese winger.
Chelsea’s Frank Lampard meanwhile is becoming a more influential factor in Chelsea’s make-up and is always a key figure from set-plays and spot-kicks. Carlo Ancelotti’s side take strong form to Stoke – they will likely need to score at least a couple to come away with the points.
The remaining two midfield spots were up for grabs. Arsenal’s attacking potential at home to Blackburn has to be covered and in the end I’ve stuck with Samir Nasri as my pick. A slight gamble given Andrey Arshavin’s form and Theo Walcott’s return from injury, but I fully expect Nasri to start and to be an influence in a Gunners win, despite the presence of Cesc Fabregas to draw Bonus alongside him.
The final spot shows my confidence in Fulham – Clint Dempsey gets the shirt, despite international exertions with the US. Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side have conceded 15 goals in their last five away trips, while Fulham have won four of their last five in front of their own fans, scoring nine goals. That points to a home win with two to three goals in the game for the home side. Dempsey, as one of the biggest goal threats from midfield in the league, looks a good bet to be involved.
There are viable options elsewhere. Doubts over Tim Cahill’s starts dented his prospects but the Everton man remains a clear option at home to Villa. Equally, Ashley Young in opposition will take the confidence gained with England into a fixture that has brought the best from him in the past. Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan is worthy of a place on my Scout bench with Wolves at St James’ Park, while Tottenham’s Rafael Van der Vaart looks a starter and a key figure as always for Spurs at Wigan.
The Forwards
With Robin Van Persie given the all-clear after a midweek injury scare, his place in the Picks is assured. Arsenal will be expected to inflict some damage on a back four that no less than 16 goals in their last five away trips. If you’ve confidence in Van Persie starting, it’s difficult to look beyond him for your FPL armband.
Carlos Tevez is the obvious partner alongside him but his form is dismal, while opponents Sunderland have let in just six goals in their last five away journeys, with a 0-0 at the Emirates last time out. This will not be an easy weekend for Roberto Mancini’s men – Tevez included.
I’ve gone with the form guy then – Luis Suarez gets the final slot with Liverpool taking the trip to the Hawthorns to meet former boss Roy Hodgson. He’s tightened up the Baggies of late but then they conceded twice to Arsenal last time out and played Wovles, Birmingham and Stoke prior to that. I can see Liverpool notching a couple and Suarez remaining the key creator and threat – particularly with Andy Carroll providing ample distraction in support.
Beyond this little lot, there’s no doubt that Fulham’s Moussa Dembele and Bobby Zamora show potential, as does Jermain Defoe at Wigan and Wayne Rooney at Upton Park. I’ve opted for Everton’s Jermaine Beckford for my bench though – be sure to check out Big Dunc’s “Differentials” later for further insights into him and other “alternative” picks for the weekend.
