There’s no real surprise that the Scout Picks are dominated by Tottenham and Everton this week, with the enticing double gameweek just around the corner. Rest and rotation still plays a significant part in our thinking, though, with the weekend’s events serving a reminder of unexpected omissions…
With a single goal conceded in their last four home games, some defensive coverage from Harry Redknapp’s side seems a sensible line of thinking. Bearing this in mind, we’ve opted for the security of Brad Friedel. The American also been racking up the save points with some strong displays between the posts and is Spurs’ top-scoring defensive option, with 78 points to his name.
The potential for points is always there for Leighton Baines. Everton’s main man for set-pieces, the left-back’s delivery from out wide creates chances aplenty for the Toffees- problem is, there’s been no one able to provide an end product to his craft. While the trip to Spurs may prove tricky, a home clash with an out-of-sorts Bolton gives Baines the perfect opportunity to start his gameweek off on a positive note.
Buoyed by their stunning victory at Old Trafford, Blackburn return to Ewood Park to entertain Stoke. With the home fans perhaps affording Steve Kean some New Year goodwill after climbing off the bottom of the table, Chris Samba will be looking to lead the Lancashire outfit to back-to-back victories for the first time this season. The Rovers skipper has been immense going forward, providing an assist in four of his last six appearances and will relish the prospect of a bruising battle against the Potters.
The final place in our back three goes to Villa’s Ciaran Clark – an out of position prospect, deployed in holding midfield role by Alex McLeish. Clark contributed an assist in the 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge and looks assured of his start when a shot-shy Swansea arrive at Villa Park. At 4.7 with a proven eye for goal, Clark looks a sound prospect as Villa hit some form ahead of a decent run of fixtures.
Gareth Bale is an obvious, nailed-on choice this week. With Spurs dropping just two points from their last eight home games, it’s fair to say they’ve been a formidable force at the Lane. The Welshman continues to deliver strong performances and points hauls regardless of where he’s fielded, though if Harry Redknapp releases the shackles and plays him through the middle, Bale-as shown against Norwich- could be in line for a devastating gameweek.
There’s no doubt that Everton have struggled for goals this season. While former Toffee Yakubu fires them in for Blackburn, David Moyes’ side have been less than impressive in front of goal. The last few gameweeks, however, have seen Leon Osman come to the fore as the man most likely. Osman has scored in each of his last two home games and also picked up “that” assist for Baines’ penalty at Sunderland; he looks like playing a pivotal part in the Merseysiders’ attempts to grab all three points against Bolton at Goodison. Given Spurs’ home record, though, anything Osman gets the following week could perhaps be considered a bonus.
Fulham lineup are suddenly attacking with verve and confidence, allowing Clint Dempsey to come to the fore in recent weeks. Three goals in his last six starts, including two in the last three Craven Cottage encounters, indicates that the American will be the key threat to an Arsenal defence that will be without the influence of Thomas Vermaelen – the latest in a long line of rearguard injuries. There looks likely to be goals in this one, with Dempsey well placed to get in on the act.
The final midfield slot goes to Victor Moses – a name that comes with a certain amount of baggage around these parts. Despite struggling to meet the pre-season expectation for much of the season, the Latics winger has thrived in his new role up top with the lone striker, as the Wigan revival continues. Moses has notched two goals and two assists in his last seven gameweeks and, with Sunderland’s injury ravaged back four at the DW Stadium, Moses deserves his return to the Scout Picks – he is now the top scoring sub 5.0 midfielder in the FPL.
Emmanuel Adebayor looks a key asset for Fantasy teams going into this gameweek. As mentioned in the Scouting the Doubles piece earlier, Adebayor has played a part in more goals and picked up more bonus points than any other Tottenham player. With Rafael Van der Vaart and Jermain Defoe just back from hamstring strains, Adebayor will surely lead the line for both games and with spot-kick duties seemingly in the bag, seems primed for a prosperous couple of fixtures. With Adebayor completing our trio of Tottenham assets, it means no place for Van der Vaart – the Dutchman will remain a hugely popular target going into the gameweek however, with further profits likely.
There was plenty of doubt surrounding the likelihood of Robin Van Persie’s start against QPR and the Gunners skipper started and scored. Arsene Wenger has conceded that he may look to rest his prized Dutchman for the trip to Craven Cottage but, in our view, he may not be able to take such a risk. With Vermaelen out of the back four, the Gunners look even more fragile and, with goals on the cards, our bet is that Van Persie will be needed. He may start on the bench but we’d expect him to play some part and provide his usual telling contribution.
The final spot goes to Saturday’s hero at Old Trafford. Yakubu is in irresistible form right now and taking chances with aplomb. Blackburn will pay host to Stoke in the gameweek and, having conceded nine goals in their last four away trips, we’re backing the Yak to come good once again.
