There’s something of a sense of deja vu about this Gameweek. Unlimited transfers, the chance to pick and choose your squad from scratch all over again-the “Rate My Team” posts are rampant this Friday afternoon.
As the site kicks into overdrive, then, we hope to bring you a little calm in the midst of all the mayhem with our “Scout Selection Committee Picks” ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.
Michal Vorm had a sensational debut at Man City. The Swansea keeper recorded 12 saves in the 4-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium and still finished the game with a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) score of 3 for the Gameweek. A home clash with Wigan will see Brendan Rodgers’ side go on the attack but Vorm, priced at just 4.0, looks in the type of form to keep the Latics at bay.
A home game with QPR gives Leighton Baines the perfect platform to start his Fantasy season on the front foot. Last week’s 4-0 home hiding by Bolton will hardly have instilled confidence in Neil Warnock’s side and Baines’ raids down the left flank should see him feature prominently. Last season’s top-scoring FPL defender is a nailed-on choice in the picks.
Jose Bosingwa seems to have earned the confidence of new boss Andre Villas-Boas. His attacking threat from the back mirrors that of Ashley Cole on the opposite flank and, having been preferred to Branislav Ivanovic at the Britannia last weekend, seems set to continue in the right-back role. Cole offers more certainty but we’ve already went for a big-money defender in Baines- Bosingwa, at 5.5, fits the needs of your Fantasy budget a little better. You can perhaps look to last week’s pick, Alex, if you want to spend that little bit more.
Roger Johnson was immense at the back for Wolves in last week’s 2-1 win at Blackburn. Mick McCarthy’s defence looks a more compact unit with the new skipper marshalling the back-four and Johnson’s influence this weekend will be crucial, as Martin Jol brings his Fulham troops to Molineux fresh on the back of a 3-0 Europa Cup win over Dnipro.
Alex McLeish is hardly renowned for his attacking tendencies. While his teams can be frustrating viewing at times, Big Eck’s safety-first approach bodes well for the Fantasy manager. James Collins and the Aston Villa back line look a healthier proposition this time round and entertain Blackburn at Villa Park, with a clean sheet at Fulham in Gameweek 1 indicative of their potential.
Steve Bruce will approach this week’s home game with Newcastle in buoyant mood. A second-half fightback at Liverpool last week suggests Sunderland may that extra, competitive edge that was missing for much of last season. Stephane Sessegnon was inspirational in pre-season and, playing in the hole just behind Asamoah Gyan, could prove the difference for the Black Cats in the white-hot atmosphere of a Tyne-Wear derby.
Scott Sinclair squares up to Wigan in Swansea’s first Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium. The winger was top scorer for Brendan Rodgers’ side last term and although he’s stepping up in class this time round, in the main attacking threat for the Swans. Throw in the fact he’s on penalties and his selection looks a solid one.
Playing at the tip of the Norwich midfield diamond affords Wes Hoolahan plenty license to attack. The low-to-mid priced midfielder is already off the mark this season; he grabbed the equaliser at Wigan last week and with visitors Stoke sampling European action only last night, Norwich’s punishing fitness regime could take advantage of any tiredness in Tony Pulis’ side come Sunday afternoon.
Nani grabs the final slot in the midfield four with a Monday night home clash against Tottenham on the agenda. The clincher was a look back at the corresponding fixture last season; Man United won 2-0, with Nani grabbing a goal, an assist and bringing home the bonus for a fourteen point return. With this in mind, we just couldn’t overlook him.
If Andre Villas-Boas selects Fernando Torres over Didier Drogba for a bruising battle at the Britannia, will he drop him at home to West Brom? The popular train of thought suggests El Nino will be a starter against the Baggies and we’re not ones to disagree here. At Stoke, Torres looked sharper, livelier, hungrier than he ever has in a Chelsea shirt and Roy Hodgson’s side could be onto a hammering at Stamford Bridge this Saturday evening.
Darren Bent scores goals wherever he goes. One of the most consistent forwards in the Premier League over the last few seasons, Bent faces a Blackburn side beaten at home by Wolves last week. The two clubs met in the recent Barclays Asia Trophy during pre-season last month and Villa sneaked it one-nil. No need to asked who grabbed the only goal.
