Our Scout Committee Selection picks for Gameweek Seven is a reflection of the season so far, with both Manchester sides particularly dominant. As United and City square up to Norwich and Blackburn respectively, it’s impossible not to back them strongly, given both sides’ blistering domestic form. Swansea’s Liberty Stadium form also plays a part in our thinking, as does a couple of London derbies, with the White Hart Lane match on Sunday looking particularly enticing.
Before another two-week hiatus for internationals, here’s who we have for you this Friday evening:
With a home game against Wigan on the horizon this weekend, Shay Given takes his place in goal. Roberto Martinez’s side have scored just once away from home so far and Villa’s extra defensive solidity since the arrival of Alex McLeish sees Given get the nod between the posts.
Swansea right-back Angel Rangel earns his spot in the Picks this week, with Stoke paying visit to the Liberty Stadium. With three clean sheets from three home games, we considered Michel Vorm as an option between the sticks, but Rangel’s forward raids ultimately swayed our thinking.
His inclusion in the Man United starting XI may have been down to injuries to others, but Phil Jones has grabbed his chance with aplomb. The summer signing from Blackburn is United’s top-scoring defender after six gameweeks, with his adaptability proving key as he switches between central defence and right-back with an impressive ease. A home tie with Norwich is next on the agenda as Jones looks to continue his eye-catching start to the campaign.
Jose Bosingwa’s attacking edge affords him a place amongst our eleven. The right-back is the top-scoring FPL player for Chelsea so far this season, despite picking up just one clean sheet from six games. His marauding runs down the right should cause plenty problems for bottom-club Bolton and with Chelsea hot on the tails of both Manchester clubs, he could be integral to condemning the Trotters to yet another loss.
John Arne Riise comes into the home game with QPR in strong form. The left-back returned a clean sheet and the maximum bonus points at West Brom last weekend and with a home game against QPR, the Norwegian has a solid chance of continuing where he left off at the Hawthorns.
Consistency of both selection and performance make it impossible to ignore David Silva. The little Spaniard has failed to score or assist in just one of his six games so far this season and with uncertainty still hanging over many of the Man City side, City’s role as the key schemer means his place is almost always assured. A trip to Blackburn should offer Silva the chance to wreak havoc tomorrow.
Nani done us proud last week with a goal and three bonus points at Stoke vindicating our faith in the winger. His recent displays may even sway some to hand him the armband tomorrow afternoon-three goals, three assists and seven bonus points in his last four games sums up the type of form he’s taking into the Old Trafford showdown with Norwich.
We needed some Spurs coverage ahead of the north London derby and with 4-4-2 the default Scout Picks formation right now, there was no place for the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor. We’ve decided instead to stick our neck out and plump for Gareth Bale; subject of our earlier members article, Bale stood head and shoulders above his fellow midfielders last week at Wigan and as the man in form, the Welshman gets our vote.
With his previous home game harvesting 12 FPL points, Scott Sinclair has made a case for himself we simply can’t ignore. While they’ve suffered a couple of heavy defeats on the road so far, Swansea are a different animal at home- yet to concede a goal, they finally flexed their muscles at West Brom’s expense and with his set-piece and spot-kick duties in the bag, Sinclair seems a sensible cut-price option.
Eight goals in five starts and a trip to Blackburn up next? Sergio Aguero is impossible to overlook. Steve Kean’s side have shipped three goals in each of their last two games and Man City will head to Ewood Park looking for a morale-boost after their Champions League loss in Munich- Steve Kean’s side may offer the perfect tonic.
Wayne Rooney barges his way into the Scout Picks after this morning’s confirmation of his fitness for the home game with Norwich. Scoring in every game so far, leader in the FPL points rankings, there’s little need for us to explain any further here, is there?
