We’ve opted for a change of formation this weekend, with the usual 3-4-3 ditched in place of a 4-4-2. United and Arsenal are firmly in our thoughts, with Liverpool, Swansea and Sunderland also coming to the fore in light of their respective home fixtures. Here’s who we’ve gone for:
A midweek defeat at Blackburn has led many to suggest the honeymoon period is over for Martin O’Neill at Sunderland, but the Black Cats solid home form is enough to see us plump for Simon Mignolet between the sticks. The Wearsiders have returned four clean sheets in their last five at the Stadium of Light, keeping out the likes of Liverpool and City and, up against a QPR side that have picked up one point in four on the road since Mark Hughes’ installation, the Belgian stopper looks an assured option this weekend.
A home game against Fulham sees Jonny Evans make his way into the Scout Picks. United have conceded a single goal in their last four games at Old Trafford and with Martin Jol’s side scoring a mere eight times on the road all season, a clean sheet for the champions in Monday evening’s showdown seems the natural outcome.
We’d contemplated Theo Walcott in midfield but, in the end, felt Thomas Vermaelen’s recent goalscoring exploits couldn’t be overlooked at the back. The Belgian has bagged winners in each of Arsenal’s last two matches and, with an average of 4.8 points per game, is the top scoring regular defender so far this season. Up against a Villa side with two goals in their last four, Vermaelen’s clean sheet potential, in addition to his eye for goal, could earn him double figures for the third Gameweek in succession.
Three clean sheets in a row makes Steven Caulker an obvious option. The on-loan centre-half has been the stand-out Fantasy performer in the Swans’ backline in those fixtures, with an assist and six bonus points also thrown in for good measure. With opponents Everton scoring just three goals in their last five on the road, 4.1 priced Caulker looks a strong budget option ahead of tomorrow’s Liberty Stadium showdown.
Martin Skrtel is the final pick in our four-man defence, with a home game against Wigan next up for Liverpool. The Slovakian offers the greatest attacking potential of any Reds defender and, with three clean sheets in their last four at Anfield, Kenny Dalglish will be keen to reinstall some defensive solidity after Wednesday’s late Loftus Road collapse.
Antonio Valencia is a nailed-on option for this week. Sidelined for three games with a hamstring problem, the Ecuadorian came back with a bang last Sunday, producing a 16 point haul as Wolves were put to the sword at Molineux. With attacking returns in nine of his 13 appearances since establishing himself on the United right wing, Valencia’s average of 5.7 points per game is afforded plenty chance of improvement as Fulham make their way to Old Trafford in the final match of the Gameweek.
Overall, it’s been a hugely disappointing season for Steven Gerrard. Plagued by injuries for much of the campaign, the Liverpool skipper has managed a mere eight starts but a hat-trick in his previous home game against Everton served Fantasy managers a reminder that he should never be written off. Wigan’s away record has been dreadful; Roberto Martinez’s side have picked up just five points from their last six on the road and, with Gerrard showing signs of returning to his swashbuckling best, the omens look good for the red half of Merseyside.
Five goals, three assists and eight bonus points in just nine games. The stats say it all, really; since moving on loan from Hoffenheim, Gylfi Sigurdsson has, quite simply, been a Fantasy sensation. The Icelandic star has returned seven points per game for Swansea and with three lots of double figures already registered, his superb form looks set to continues as Brendan Rodgers’ side square up to Everton tomorrow afternoon.
Available for selection after a recent three-match suspension, we welcome Stephane Sessegnon into the fray as Sunderland ready themselves for the visit of QPR. The Benin international has averaged 5.2 points per game since the arrival of Martin O’Neill and will be key to the Black Cats chances of picking up the points, with O’Neill keen to recover from the poor display at Blackburn. With (mcy, TOT, eve) to follow, a win this weekend for the Wearsiders seems even more crucial- Sessegnon will be anxious to atone for his sending off against Newcastle and a clash against the Loftus Road outfit affords him the perfect opportunity.
It’s no surprise to see Robin Van Persie as runaway leader of this week’s Captain Poll. With nearly 50% of the votes cast so far, the Arsenal skipper has almost double the number of second-placed Wayne Rooney- a clear indication of our expectations. Since notching against Bolton in Gameweek 6, Van Persie hasn’t gone more than two games without a goal and, after drawing a blank in the midweek win at Everton, a home clash with Villa seems ready-made for the Dutchman to continue his astonishing Fantasy season tomorrow afternoon.
It’s a full house for United this week, with Wayne Rooney the third player from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to make the Picks. Rooney has returned double figures in each of his last two appearances at Old Trafford and with the champions in a superb streak of form, Fulham could easily be on the wrong side of a going-over as United up the pace in their bid to retain the title.
