The Scout Picks and Friday evening – a marriage made in heaven. Love at first sight though? I somehow doubt it; particularly when our selection opts to completely ignore the assets on offer from both Arsenal and United.
With that pair facing off and Chelsea clashing with Spurs at the Bridge, the talent pool appears rather more shallow than normal. Owners of attacking players on show at the Emirates will likely start them in their Fantasy lineups, but United will surely turn up striving to frustrate rather than sweep aside Arsene Wenger’s wilting title hopes. Goals and flowing football could be at a premium in an edgy affair, even with two sides of undoubted quality on the park.
The proposition at the Bridge perhaps carries more promise. The Scout Picks show that we’re backing goals in this one – a game which both sides have to win to preserve their season’s ambitions. Elsewhere, this week’s forward line has helped to structure matters. I’ve been settled on my duo of choice for several days and that’s shaped the midfield selection, with the defence once again centered on finding attacking returns, as clean sheets remain fragile with so much at stake at this point.
The Defence
Pepe Reina claims the keeper’s jersey with his home clash with a travel-sick Newcastle side who have struggled to notch on the road. With little goalscoring threat from the defenders in front him, Reina offers security and an alternative to injury doubt Ben Foster, with Birmingham’s home clash with Wolves covered by the presence of Roger Johnson in our defence.
The set-piece threat of Blackburn’s Chris Samba earns him the nod as Rovers face off against Owen Coyle’s Bolton – a side that continue to stumble and concede on their travels. Attacking potential from open-play earns both Man City’s Aleksandar Kolarov and Everton’s Leighton Baines their places. Baines could have his potential damaged by the return of Mikel Arteta to the starting lineup; that will reduce his role at set-plays and spot-kicks but, against his former club at the DW Stadium, we still fancy Baines to provide a major threat with the frequency of his left-wing raids. Seamus Coleman on the right is your option if you’re priced out for Baines.
Kolarov takes the final slot. While his defensive qualities remain in doubt, Kolarov’s attacking abilities will surely be evidence to threaten the porous Hammers defence when they arrive at Eastlands. I’m still adamant that there’s at least another goal left in the Serb ‘s lockcer and with Micah Richards still struggling with a hamstring, he looks certain to start once again.
The Midfield
We’ve examined City’s potential from midfield areas at length this week. With little to choose between the guile of David Silva and the powerful presence of Yaya Toure, price and a secure starting role for the gameweeks to come favour the Ivorian. Toure’s raiding runs earn him selection then with the dependable and reassuringly expensive talents of Frank Lampard alongside him. Again there’s an attractive alternative here with Florent Malouda’s form promoting him in our thinking, but we will settle on the set-piece and spot-kick involvement offered by Lampard against Spurs.
The impact of Clint Dempsey’s brace in midweek is still palpable in the Fantasy community and, with a trip to Sunderland this weekend, “Captain America” retains his place in the Picks.
The final midfield selection is a tough one. Charlie Adam looks a safe bet with a home clash with Stoke – a match that Blackpool surely have to win to cling to hopes of Premier League survival. Adam is a big player in a big match – a decent scenario, but the Scot can often need a spot-kick or Bonus to fetch significant returns. Stoke will arrive at Bloomfield Road with form and Blackpool won’t find it at all easy to earn the three points they require. I’ve settled on Adam though, with one eye on Birmingham’s Seb Larsson.
The Forwards
West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie has been in our sights all week and has to earn selection up front given his current form and will an erratic Aston Villa at the Hawthorns this weekend. The Nigerian has 3 goals in his last 3 league outings and looks a strong candidate to add that tally. With Chris Brunt ruled out, Odemwingie should also be on spot-kicks.
I’ve partnered him with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. There were options here but, like Odemwingie, the Uruguayan is someone I’ve been coveting all week and, with the stats suggesting that a big Fantasy haul is just around the corner, I’m keen to back the skillful Suarez with Newcastle arriving at Anfield. The selection of Suarez meant I chose to overlook the threat and form of Dirk Kuyt in midfield but he remains a much sought after option if our Captain’s Poll is anything to go by.
Back to the strikers and Kenwyne Jones with strong form and an attractive trip to Bloomfield Road takes the bench spot. Elsewhere, if fit, Daniel Sturridge will surely pose a major threat to the Blackburn defence at Ewood, while Darren Bent is another very strong alternative up front. I’ve not covered Villa’s goal-getting abilities in the Picks and that’s one possible weakness. The visitors should notch at the Hawthorns and Bent will be favourite to trouble Scott Carson in the Baggies nets.
That’s the Scout Pick nuptials over with then; keep your browsers stuck here for Big Dunc’s “Spot the Differentials” to come, while the “Fantasy Flutter” will also be arriving to back the Scout Pick selections with a crispy tenner.
