As we shiver in our winter thermals, the fixture schedule heats up, with the second gameweek in the space of four days just around the corner. We’re backing City, Arsenal and Newcastle heavily this weekend, with strong home fixtures for all three affording seven of their players a place in the Scout Picks:
Four clean sheets in his last six games brings Tim Krul into our chosen XI. The Dutchman warmed up for this week’s home clash against Aston Villa with a penalty save at Blackburn on Wednesday evening and is now just three points behind Michel Vorm in the goalkeeper standings. With Villa recording 3 wins and a draw in their last four on the road, though, Krul looks essential to Newcastle’s chances on Sunday afternoon.
We’ve opted for Thomas Vermaelen as one of the back-three, with a home game against Blackburn up next. With 3 goals in just 13 starts, the Belgian’s eye for goal and clean sheet potential has seen him average 4.8 points per game this season- the joint-third most impressive Fantasy Premier League (FPL) defender. Rovers’ away record of a single win in 11 road trips suggests the Gunners’ four-game winless run looks likely to end tomorrow lunchtime at the Emirates.
Vincent Kompany is a near-automatic pick whenever a home game comes around for Man City. With just 6 goals conceded at the Etihad, and 6 clean sheets returned in front of his home fans, the City skipper looks good value for defensive returns this weekend. All the more so when you consider that opponents Fulham have netted just 7 times on their travels; the lowest of any team this term.
Similar to Vermaelen, Robert Huth is drafted in for his potential at both ends of the pitch. While Sunderland have been exceptional since the appointment of Martin O’Neill, it’s worth noting they have failed to find the net on two of their four away games under the Irishman. With Wes Brown ruled out for an extended period of time, the Black Cats could be vulnerable at the back and Huth’s aerial abilities from set-pieces will be sure to trouble the Wearsiders’ throughout.
The inclusion of David Silva is hardly a surprise. While he’s hard to justify as an armband option – with just two double-figure points hauls at the Etihad to date- Silva’s remarkable home consistency means he rarely misses out. The Spaniard has started nine home fixtures this season and scored or assisted in eight of them- he’s almost certain to produce against Fulham on Saturday evening.
Gareth Bale is simply fixture-proof right now. A trip to Anfield will hold no fear for the winger, given that he’s scored 5 of his 10 goals and returned double figures three times on the road to date. With attacking returns in four of his last five fixtures, his form continues to flourish as he chases down Robin Van Persie at the top of the FPL scoring charts.
An away trip to Chelsea is not usually so enticing, but with John Terry and Ashley Cole both missing at the back, we drafted in Antonio Valencia. United’s form player, the winger will be up against either Jose Bosingwa or Ryan Bertrand and with 9 assists in his last nine appearances, the Ecuadorian seems set to wreak havoc at Stamford Bridge this Sunday afternoon.
James Morrison looks a decent cut-price option this weekend. The West Brom midfielder has played a part in all of his side’s 3 goals over the last couple of gameweeks and is proving to be an integral part of Roy Hodgson’s first XI right now. A home clash with Swansea is up next for Morrison and with Brendan Rodgers’ side picking up a mere 6 points on their travels this term, the omens look good.
Sergio Aguero is the first of a front three that practically picks itself this weekend. The Argentine hasn’t been at his best of late, but with a home average of 8.4 points per game and four double-figure returns at the Etihad, he’s hard to overlook for the visit of Fulham. Factor in his likely spot-kick duties in the absence of Mario Balotelli and Aguero is nailed-on, with many affording him the armband ahead of the Cottagers clash.
We put our faith in Demba Ba ahead of Newcastle’s home game with Aston Villa. Although he’s missed the Magpies’ last three league fixtures due to international commitments, Ba hasn’t over-exerted himself and was afforded a forty-five minute run-out in Senegal’s final African Cup of Nations match last Monday. Having trained today, along with compatriot Papiss Demba Cisse, we see no reason as to why Alan Pardew wouldn’t start his star striker, and with 3 goals and an assist in his last two home games, Ba will be keen to continue in the same vein this weekend.
Yes, he left many of us disappointed against Bolton in midweek, but Robin Van Persie has a home game against Blackburn to make amends. Since netting against Bolton in gameweek 6, the Dutchman hasn’t went more than one game without scoring and with Steve Kean choosing to leave out Chris Samba tomorrow afternoon, Van Persie looks an armband favourite for the gameweek ahead.
