The Scout Selection Committee is a Man City-free zone for the first time this season. We blame Jose Bosingwa; with Chelsea recording 3 clean sheets in 4 since Branislav Ivanovic was installed at right-back, Monday night’s showdown at Stamford Bridge sees us turn our backs on Roberto Mancini’s men- a very rare occasion.
Instead, we’ve opted for the red half of Manchester to deliver the goods, with Fergie’s fury expected to inspire a revival at the hands of Mick McCarthy’s Wolves this Saturday at Old Trafford….
Michel Vorm earns his place between the sticks with a home clash against Fulham up next for Swansea. Top scoring keeper in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) so far, the Dutchman has conceded just 2 goals in his 7 appearances at the Liberty Stadium and returned 5 clean sheets in front of his own fans. With the Cottagers finding the net just 4 times on their travels so far, Brendan Rodgers’ defence look a good bet once again this weekend.
With 3 goals in 4 starts since his return from injury, Thomas Vermaelen barges his way into the Scout Picks. The Belgian squares up to Everton at the Emirates this weekend with Arsenal looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 8 games; Vermaelen may be forced to play left-back in light of Andre Santos’ ankle injury but –with 2 clean sheets also in his locker since returning- has the ability to deliver points at both ends of the pitch.
Jose Enrique comes into our thinking ahead of the home clash with QPR. Liverpool will be desperate to bounce back from their late defeat at Fulham on Monday night and end a sequence of results that has seen them fail to win at Anfield since gameweek 6. Enrique’s raids down the left flank have been a major feature of the Reds’ attacking play this term and Neil Warnock’s side will do well to curtail his threat.
Two goals in his last two games in all competitions sums up how vital Phil Jones has been to Man United of late. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be reeling from their Champions League exit and an Old Trafford showdown with Wolves gives United the perfect opportunity of a morale-boosting return to winning ways. Whether in defence or midfield, Jones has performed admirably since his summer move from Blackburn and sits second in the FPL defenders scoring charts, with 66 points.
Charlie Adam is the second Liverpool player to make the Scout Picks this weekend. The former Blackpool playmaker is the top scoring Fantasy player for Kenny Dalglish’s side, notching up 58 points to date. Adam has grabbed a goal and a couple of assists in his last five games and indeed, a look at his stats shows that 5 of his 6 assists have come at Anfield. Factor in his set-pieces and Adam has a stronger chance than most of producing the points against QPR tomorrow.
With a single goal in each of their last 7 league games, it’s something of an understatement to say Man United have been misfiring in front of goal. Despite this, we place our faith in Nani to deliver the goods against Wolves. A furious Fergie will have his side fired up after Wednesday’s humiliation in Basel and the winger, arguably United’s only impressive attacking performer of late, looks the most likely to deliver.
Scott Sinclair may have yet to find the net from open play, but his spot-kick duties have aided the Swansea winger 3 times already this season. While the Welsh side continue to perform atrociously on their travels, their performances at the Liberty Stadium have kept their heads above water. Sinclair has returned double figures on two occasions at home already and the Swans will be desperate for all three points at home to Fulham after failing to win in their last four fixtures.
This season, Gareth Bale has proven to be the real deal in Fantasy terms. So often a source of frustration in campaigns gone by, the introduction of Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor to the Tottenham team seems to have benefited the Welshman more than any other player in Harry Redknapp’s side. Bale has exploded into form in the last five gameweeks, returning 56 points, and while Harry Redknapp admits he’s nursing a knock ahead of the trip to Stoke, we’re confident that Bale will remain in the Spurs first XI come Sunday.
Robin Van Persie. Not much else needed, really, is there? The runaway leader in our Captain Poll, the Dutchman’s last five games at the Emirates have seen him average 9.8 and with 13 goals in his last 9 games, continues to produce relentless performances that have destroyed back-fours the length and breadth of the country.
Subject of a Watchlist article yesterday, we have plenty faith in Demba Ba ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Norwich. Ba has scored or assisted in 7 of his last 9 games and with the Canaries failing to pick up a clean sheet all season, he’ll surely be offered plenty opportunity to extend that impressive record. Throw in his spot-kick duties and price of 7.0 and this one’s a no-brainer.
Roy Hodgson’s recent decision to change to a 4-4-1-1 seems to have reinvigorated Shane Long. Since returning from injury in gameweek twelve, the Irishman has fired 2 goals in 3 games, picking up 5 bonus points along the way. Up against a Wigan side that have secured a single win on the road all season, Long will be licking his lips at the chance of condemning the Latics to yet another away defeat.
