Another week, another new formation for the Scout Picks Selection Committee. After trialling a 3-5-2 last week, we roll out a 3-4-3 with a trio of left-backs in defence ahead of Gameweek Nine. Here’s who we have for you this Friday evening…
Shay Given gets the nod between the posts with a home derby against West Brom on the horizon. Villa will be determined to bounce back after losing their unbeaten record at Man City last weekend and, with two clean sheets from four home games, the Irishman’s selection looks a strong one.
Liverpool’s home clash with Norwich affords Jose Enrique a place in the Scout Picks. The left-back’s marauding runs have played a pivotal role in his side’s attacking ploys of late, picking up 2 assists in his last three appearances. Norwich have returned just 1 goal in their games at Chelsea and Man United, suggesting a strong chance of points at the back as well as going forward.
John Arne Riise is selected courtesy of Fulham’s solid home form. Despite some poor away results, Martin Jol’s side remain undefeated at the Cottage, picking up two clean sheets from four to date. Everton arrive on the back of three straight defeats and with Riise rested for yesterday’s Europa League match away to Wisla Krakow, he should be fit and raring to wreak havoc on David Moyes’ out-of-sorts side.
Ryan Taylor is the third left-back in the picks. The second-top scoring FPL defender after eight Gameweeks, Taylor squares up to old club Wigan at St James Park this weekend. With Newcastle undoubtedly buoyed after twice coming from behind to earn a draw with Spurs last Sunday, Taylor –with set-piece duties thrown into the mix- is a nailed-on shout.
Rafael Van der Vaart travels to bottom club Blackburn in the back of some impressive recent form. The Dutchman has netted in each of his last three games, despite Harry Redknapp’s tendency to sub him off midway through the second half. His spot-kick duties merely add to Van der Vaart’s appeal and, up against a side that have conceded 7 goals in their last two home matches, he’ll fancy his chances.
A goal and an assist in his last home game perhaps went unnoticed due to a hat-trick from Andy Johnson, but Clint Dempsey has still turned in some solid displays at the Cottage this season. Similar to Riise, he was rested from Europa League duties yesterday, with Martin Jol aiming to propel Fulham back up the league this Sunday at Everton’s expense.
If Bolton are to continue their climb up the table, it’s likely Martin Petrov will play a significant part. The Bulgarian has picked up 3 of his 4 assists this season at home, returning hauls against both Man City and Chelsea- the visit of Sunderland should hold little fear, then.
We needed some Chelsea coverage for the trip to QPR and, after much deliberation, we plumped for an old Fantasy favourite. Frank Lampard gets the nod over Juan Mata in midfield, with his hat-trick at the Reebok still fresh in our minds. Lampard also bagged an assist and bonus last week- the perfect combination of form and fixture ahead of his game at Loftus Road.
After his heroics last week, there’s no way we could turn our backs on Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman has now scored a brace in each of his last two games at the Emirates and although Tony Pulis’ Stoke will prove an obstinate opponent, Van Persie –after a slow start to the season- is starting to look like the guaranteed goal-getter he was in the latter half of last season.
A home game with Norwich is a Fantasy manager’s dream. As Liverpool prepare for tomorrow evening’s Anfield showdown, Paul Lambert has a task on his hands, with the Canaries failing to record a single clean sheet thus far. Luis Suarez comes into the game with 2 goals in his last 3 games and there’s almost an inevitability about him stealing the headlines for all the right reasons this time.
Our final slot was a toss-up between two forwards in a hot streak of form and eventually, Gabby Agbonlahor won a place in our starting lineup at Demba Ba’s expense. There’s nothing like a Midlands derby to stoke up Agonlahor’s fire and with three goals in his four home games, we gets the nod by the narrowest of margins, with the Newcastle man taking his seat on the bench.
