Weβre back in the seat again after a weekend of FA Cup action last time round. The Scout Selection committee has a couple of new members, too, with Jonty and Stilicho now helping us shape each gameweekβs first XI. Perhaps surprisingly, there are no Man City in this weekβs picks, as we heavily back the red side of Manchester instead:
Despite the loss of Steven Taylor, Newcastleβs defence seem to have returned to their resilient ways of late. Alan Pardewβs side have chalked up 3 clean sheets in their last five fixtures, including the previous gameweekβs 3-0 win over Man United. Tim Krul comes into the Scout Picks, then, and with a strong home fixture against QPR on the agenda, the Magpies will be looking to spoil Mark Hughesβ debut bow at the Sports Direct Arena.
Michael Dawson made an immediate impact on his return to league action last Wednesday. Although Benoit Assou-Ekotto hogged the headlines, Dawsonβs display at the heart of Tottenhamβs back-four helped them chalk up a clean sheet and also earned the centre-half a bonus point. With Harry Redknappβs side conceding a mere 5 goals since the end of gameweek 11, they look a good bet to repel Wolves at the Lane tomorrow.
Martin Skrtel takes his place in the Scout Picks for the first time this term. The big centre-half has proved an integral part of the Liverpool back-four this season and supplemented this with an attacking threat which has seen him net twice already. With a goal, assist and 5 bonus points in his last five fixtures, Skrtel could benefit at both ends of the pitch as Stoke make their way to Anfield.
With Sir Alex Ferguson admitting this morning he has doubts over both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, in addition to Rio Ferdinand’s stomach bug revelation via twitter, we make out way down the list of available centre-halves to Jonny Evans. The Irishman has recovered from a calf problem and seems set to figure against Bolton tomorrow, as the injuries rack up once again for the champions. With 4 clean sheets in his last five starts, Evans, at 4.5, offers a cut-price route into the United back-line ahead of the Trottersβ visit.
The inclusion of Gareth Bale is a no-brainer. Top-scoring midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) rankings so far with 117 points, the Welshman has averaged 9 points per game over his last six home appearances. With Wolves having failed to keep a clean sheet since gameweek 3, Baleβs attacking potential looks particularly enticing.
A trip to Blackburn Rovers brings Clint Dempsey into the Scout Picks. Fulham arrive at Ewood Park on the back of a three-match unbeaten league run, with a draw at Chelsea and a home win over Arsenal amongst their recent results. Dempseyβs goal potential was highlighted only last weekend, as the American bagged a hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Charlton. With Steve Keanβs strugglers yet to pick up a clean sheet, Dempsey looks the most likely to benefit.
Weβve plumped for Antonio Valencia as our Man United midfielder of choice ahead of tomorrowβs home showdown with Bolton. While Nani offers more explosive returns, Valencia has proved the more consistent of the pair, scoring or assisting in five of his last seven fixtures. Averaging 6.8 ppg since returning to the first XI back in gameweek 14, Valencia will be looking for more of the same as United look to draw level with City at the top of the table.
While heβs been a disappointment on the road this season, Juan Mata tends to rise to the occasion when Chelsea play at home. The Spaniard has scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists at the Bridge, compared to a return of just 2 assists away. A home clash with a revitalised Sunderland will be anything but straightforward but weβre backing Mata to produce the goods and leave the Black Cats empty-handed.
Once again, we call on Robin Van Persie to lead the line. The Arsenal skipper was given the week off to recharge his batteries while Thierry Henry stole the headlines in the FA Cup win over Leeds. With 7 goals in his last six away matches, Van Persie represents the strongest test so far to Swanseaβs outstanding home record- Michel Vorm will have to be at his very best to deny the Dutchman his first goal of the calendar year.
Itβs been a while since we gave Wayne Rooney a chance in the Scout Picks. The United man struggled for form over the autumn period but seems to have entered one of his scoring streaks again, with 4 goals in his last four league starts supplemented by a brace in the 3-2 FA Cup win over City. With United failing to fire at Newcastle last time round, the home clash against Bolton affords Rooney the perfect opportunity to rack up more goals once again.
Yakubu gets the nod for the final place. It was a close-run thing between the Blackburn man and fellow-Nigerian Peter Odemwingie but Yakubu just edges it for us. With 3 goals in his last four games, including a brace at Old Trafford, βThe Yakβ will need to replicate the sort of form that has seen him bag 12 goals already this season as Fulham make their way to Ewood Park.
