There’s no denying this week’s a tricky one. A glance at the Captain Poll on the front page sums up just how undecided most of us are. Nevertheless, the Scout Selection Committee have knocked our heads together and, after much deliberation, roll out our XI for the weekend ahead:
Simon Mignolet is the first of two Sunderland players to make their way into the Scout Picks this weekend. The Belgian looks to have established himself as the Black Cats first-choice between the sticks under Martin O’Neill and has conceded just 2 goals in three appearances since recovering from a facial injury. Swansea make their way to the Stadium of Light and with Brendan Rodgers’ side netting just 8 times on the road so far, a Sunderland clean sheet looks promising.
A home clash with Blackburn seems just too enticing to leave out Leighton Baines. The most reliable creator in the Everton set-up, Baines’ left flank delivery and set-piece prowess are always likely to cause problems for Steve Kean’s side. Rovers have failed to record a single clean sheet all season and with captain Chris Samba itching for a move away from Ewood Park, the problems seem to never cease for the Lancashire outfit, both on and off the field.
Martin Skrtel keeps his place in the XI after returning a clean sheet last week. With many of the top sides facing tricky fixtures, Liverpool travel to the Reebok, where Bolton have scored just 2 goals in their last four home games. Kenny Dalglish’s side have already picked up 5 clean sheets on the road and, with aerial ability always threatening at set-pieces, Skrtel offers a chance of points at both ends of the pitch.
We’ve opted for Robert Huth for precisely the same reasons as Skrtel. The Stoke centre-back has scored just once this term but has registered plenty of attempts and is always liable to find the back of the net- his 6 goals last season stand testament to that. West Brom visit the Britannia this weekend and with just a single goal in their last four games, have been particularly toothless of late.
Clint Dempsey gets the nod ahead of Fulham’s home clash with Newcastle. Alan Pardew’s visitors may be missing their first-choice midfield engine-room, with Cheik Tiote unavailable and Yohan Cabaye a doubt, and Dempsey’s predatory instincts could be set to make the under-strength Magpies suffer at the Cottage tomorrow afternoon. Though Fulham lost the reverse fixture back in late August, there’s no guessing who grabbed their consolation in the 2-1 defeat.
We can’t ignore Jonathan Walters’ home record. Helped by his spot-kick duties, the out-of-position midfielder has averaged 6.8 points per game at the Britannia and has returned double figures three times in front of his own fans. With strike-partner Peter Crouch scoring just 2 home goals in comparison, Walters looks the likeliest to net against a West Brom side that have picked up a single point from their last four fixtures.
Stephane Sessegnon’s upturn in form mirrors that of Sunderland’s more than any other Black Cats player. Flourishing up front since the arrival of Martin O’Neill, the Benin international has returned 2 goals and 3 assists in his last five appearances under the new boss. With the Wearsiders picking up seven points from a possible nine at the Stadium of Light since Steve Bruce left, Sessegnon seems primed for more attacking returns as Swansea pay visit tomorrow afternoon.
Our final midfield choice is Steven Gerrard. Last week saw the Liverpool skipper manage his first ninety minutes since gameweek 9, after a season blighted by groin and ankle injuries. Now fully recovered, Gerrard is set to lead the Reds into battle at the Reebok tomorrow evening against a Bolton side with a single home victory all season. With set-piece and spot-kick duties on his side, Gerrard has the perfect chance to kick-start his campaign into gear.
Arsenal are afforded a chance for vengeance this Sunday as Man United make their way to the Emirates. The Gunners will still be smarting from that 8-2 hammering back in August and Robin Van Persie will be keen to make amends after his spot-kick miss at Old Trafford last time round. Arsene Wenger will have his side fired up for this one and, with 18 goals in his last nineteen matches, the Dutchman is in the form of his life. Many of you agree with his prospects; he leads the way in the Captain Poll this evening, with 14% of your votes.
We draft in Sergio Aguero ahead of Man City’s home showdown with Spurs. He may have failed to score in his last six on the road but the Argentine enjoys home comforts more than most, netting 10 of his 14 goals at the Etihad. Aguero has failed to score or assist only once in front of his own supporters so far this season and is a strong contender to return attacking points yet again as the league leaders look to do the double over Harry Redknapp’s visitors.
Steven Fletcher is our cut-price forward option. The Wolves man has been in exceptional form of late, grabbing 6 goals in his previous eight league games and was afforded a brief second half sub appearance in the FA Cup defeat by Birmingham, with Mick McCarthy intent on keeping him fresh for the weekend. A home clash with Aston Villa is up next for the Scot and plenty Fantasy managers have backed him this week- he’s already risen by 0.2 ahead of the midlands derby.
