This week’s a tricky one. As the previous gameweek has shown, rest and rotation are biting hard right now and picking an XI is always going to be filled with uncertainty at this time of year. After much behind the scenes deliberation, the Scout Picks Selection Committee has weighed up the options and brings you our choices for the gameweek ahead..
Ben Foster gets the nod between the sticks after a recent upturn in form in the West Brom camp. Roy Hodgson’s side were the first team this season to deny Man City a goal last time out and with Foster only having to make four saves against the league leaders, the performances of the players in front of him are clearly making life a little easier. Everton are next up at the Hawthorns and with just three goals in their last five games, David Moyes’ side may find it tricky to break down the resilient Baggies.
Thomas Vermaelen offers a chance of points at both ends of the pitch this week as Arsenal play host to QPR. The Gunners defender is having to play at left-back right now but it hasn’t extinguished his attacking threat, with Vermaelen picking up bonus against Wolves due to his shots on target. With just two points from their last six fixtures, Neil Warnock’s side are expected to struggle at the Emirates.
Subject of this morning’s Watchlist, John Terry makes his way into the Scout Picks. Chelsea are up against an Aston Villa side that have been dire in front of goal over the last couple of months. The Midlands outfit have scored just three goals in the last seven games, failing to find the net on five of those occasions. With Terry also proving to be a substantial goal threat this season, the Blues skipper may be lined up for a prosperous New Year’s Eve.
Phil Jones is our third and final defender in a 3-4-3 formation. The summer signing from Blackburn looks set to recover from illness in time to face his former side and, whether at the back or in midfield, has already shown he’s capable of picking up attacking returns. With United recording 7 clean sheets in their last nine matches, his chances of defensive points look particularly plausible, too.
Nani may have failed to get amongst the points in Man United’s recent demolition of Wigan but recent weeks have seen the winger return to the explosive form of last term. With Blackburn decimated by injuries, he’s likely to play a pivotal part in tormenting Steve Kean’s basement dwellers this New Year’s Eve. Withdrawn after the hour mark against the Latics, his place in the United starting XI looks assured as the champions look for the victory that would, temporarily at least, return them to the top of the table before City travel to Sunderland the following day.
Gareth Bale’s performances, whether out wide or in his new central role in a 4-2-3-1, have returned the Fantasy points regardless this season. A brace at Norwich, followed by the inevitable three bonus points, was the sixth time this term he’s returned a double-figure haul and with Spurs currently bristling with attacking menace, a visit to Swansea looks enticing.
After a slow start to the season, Matt Etherington has come to prominence for Stoke once again. The winger has notched a couple of goals, an assist and picked up maximum bonus in two of his last three appearances. Having been rested for the trip to Man City in gameweek 17, Etherington will be fresher than most of the Potters first XI for the visit of Wigan.
We’re sticking our neck out with the selection of Adam Johnson. With Man City set for a hectic next few weeks, with a Carling Cup semi-final against Liverpool and FA Cup clash with United on the horizon, Roberto Mancini will be keen to utilise his squad as much as possible. With the leaders heading to Sunderland on Sunday, we reckon he’s in line for call up to the first XI and, when granted the chance by the Italian, Johnson has produced the goods, with three goals in his last three starts.
Arsene Wenger has warned he is considering resting Robin Van Persie over the festive period but after last Tuesday’s draw with Wolves, the Gunners are in need of the points. The Dutchman may have failed to fire against Mick McCarthy’s side but even if afforded just a sub appearance, he’s shown before he’s more than capable of picking up the points. Given Wenger’s comments it may be considered a risk to plump for Van Persie in the Scout Picks, but we feel it’s far more of a risk not to have him on board.
Having been rested for the game against Wigan, it seems almost certain Wayne Rooney will be back to lead the line for Man United. Prior to the game against the Latics, Rooney has netted in each of his last four games, with his appetite for goals once again apparent. Given their recent back-to-back 5-0 triumphs, the home game against Blackburn may afford United, and Rooney, the chance for yet another goal feast.
Daniel Sturridge gets the nod over Juan Mata ahead of Chelsea’s home clash with Villa. Sturridge has proven to be the better “value” player of the pair thus far, returning 82 points to Mata’s 80, despite being 2.4 cheaper. A rare blank against Fulham last Monday brought to an end a run that had seen him score or assist in each of the previous six fixtures and with Andre Villas-Boas’ side looking to bounce back from three consecutive draws, their top scorer could be the difference between three points and further disappointment.
