We’re backing Man City big time in this week’s Scout Picks. A home game against Bolton looks far too enticing to ignore, as we roll out the big guns ahead of tomorrow’s match at the Etihad. Fulham’s strong form at the Cottage looks ominous for Wolves, while Robin Van Persie gets a rare rest from our final XI, with a trip to Liverpool raising enough question marks over his returns to see him overlooked:
Mark Schwarzer gets the nod between the sticks ahead of a home clash with Wolves. Missing for a couple of months with a back problem, one look at the stats shows just how crucial the Australian is for Martin Jol’s side; they managed 1 clean sheet in 8 games in his absence, compared to 7 clean sheets in 18 when Schwarzer has been fit. Averaging 4.1 points per game, Schwarzer has returned the points almost on a level with the likes of Brad Friedel (4.2) and, priced at 4.8, looks particularly strong value.
City skipper Vincent Kompany is nailed-on this week. While many have preferred Micah Richards this season, the right-back has been rested in the last couple of gameweeks, with Pablo Zabaletta afforded a chance in the back-four instead. Kompany, on the other hand, has been selected for the first-team every time he has been available and, with 8 clean sheets in the last 11, Roberto Mancini’s defence has proven particularly fruitful for their Fantasy owners over the past few months. Bolton roll up to the Etihad with no goals in their last three on the road- a home clean sheet looks a likely outcome.
Ryan Taylor keeps his place in our XI as Sunderland roll up to the Sports Direct Arena. Taylor grabbed the only goal in the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season and with Alan Pardew’s side looking to complete the double over their bitter rivals, Taylor’s role on the right flank and set-piece duties offers a chance of a repeat performance.
Back in the Stoke side after a three-match suspension, we welcome Robert Huth back into the Picks. The big German’s eye for goal and set-piece threat is always liable to pick up the points and, while he’s been something of a disappointment this term, Huth faces a Norwich side that have yet to record a single clean sheet on the road all season, affording him an opportunity of points at both ends of the pitch.
A home game against Bolton offers David Silva plenty chance to wreak havoc this weekend. City are aiming for a fourteenth straight win at the Etihad and Silva, as always, will surely play a major part. With attacking returns in nine of his eleven home starts, and City scoring at least 3 goals in all but two of their 13 home matches, a blank for the Spaniard tomorrow would constitute a major surprise.
With five wins and a draw in the last seven home games, Fulham have made the Cottage something of a fortress of late. Fundamental to their fortunes has been Clint Dempsey; the US international has notched 6 goals and a couple of assists in that run of games, and has failed to produce attacking returns in just two of those seven fixtures. Dempsey warmed up for the home game against Wolves with a goal for his country against Italy in midweek and, with the visitors managing a single clean sheet on the road all season – back in Gameweek 3 – the midfielder looks likely to steer Martin Jol’s side to victory yet again.
He’s gone a couple of gameweeks without producing the points, but we’ve faith in Gylffi Sigurdsson as Swansea make their way to Wigan. Playing as the furthest forward of the Swans’ midfield three, the Icelandic international has returned a goal and 3 assists in his six appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side and with the Latics failing to win any of their last eleven home matches, the visitors will be confident of a victory at the DW tomorrow, with Sigurdsson’s set-piece duties and keen eye for a pass crucial to their chances.
One of the league’s form players, James Morrison is flourishing in a role in the hole behind Marc-Antoine Fortune, with Roy Hodgson rolling out a 4-4-1-1. With a couple of goals and 4 assists in his last five games, Morrison’s influence on West Brom’s recent run of good form is obvious and, up against a Chelsea side with a single clean sheet in their last six on the road, could be set to plunder the points once again.
A return from his recent throat infection brings Wayne Rooney back into the picks. The United forward has notched double figures in each of his last two appearances, with braces against Chelsea and Liverpool indicative of an upturn in form. United head to the Lane this Sunday but with City almost certain to have increased their lead to five points the previous day, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be going all-out for a win against Spurs- Rooney’s contribution will be vital if they are to condemn ‘Arry’s side to defeat.
The overwhelming favourite in our Captain Poll with over 52% of the votes, Sergio Aguero is a nailed-on selection this weekend. While he continues to frustrate his Fantasy owners on the road, Aguero more than makes amends when home games come around, producing attacking returns in ten of his twelve Etihad appearances. Aguero has already returned double figures on five occasions at home and, given Bolton’s dire away displays, number six could well be on the cards tomorrow.
Demba Ba is our final pick this week. Granted, he may have failed to score last weekend in the home clash with Wolves but we’re confident that was a temporary blip, given that Ba had netted in each of his three previous matches at the Sports Direct Arena. With spot-kick duties also in his locker, Ba will be hoping referee Mike Dean lives up to his reputation and throws a penalty or two his way, as Newcastle look to complete the Tyne-Wear double over Sunderland.
