While we all recover from yesterday’s quadruple helping of double gameweek news, it’s time to focus on the weekend’s action. As always, The Scout Selection Committee have knocked our heads together to whittle down the contenders to a final eleven. A quick breakdown? Seven are at home, four away. Enough of being cryptic, then- here you go…
To start us off, we’ve opted for Brad Friedel between the posts. The Tottenham stopper has been particularly solid at home this term, with seven clean sheets at the Lane already racked up. While opponents Swansea have picked up in form on the road of late, Harry Redknapp will be banking on Scott Parker to keep Gylfi Sigurdsson quiet on Sunday – with a points per game average of 4.1, Friedel has almost proved the equal of Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s 4.2 and affords a cheaper rout into Redknapp’s back-line.
Everton’s upcoming home clash with West Brom sees Leighton Baines make his way into the XI. The Toffees have conceded only one goal in the last four at home, with clean sheets against Chelsea, City and Tottenham indicative of their defensive solidity. With the Baggies picking up just a single point in their last three, Baines’ defensive returns look promising and, with set-piece duties helping him net last time round at Swansea, the potential for attacking points is always a possibility for the left-back.
Jonny Evans is a nailed-on pick. Previously, it’s purely been his bargain price amongst the United back-four that’s appealed but recent weeks have seen a pleasant upturn in attacking returns. The Irishman has produced double figures in each of his last two appearances and, with three back-to-back clean sheets also thrown in, a trip to Blackburn is just too tempting to overlook.
While there’s every chance Vincent Kompany will return to Roberto Mancini’s back-line against Sunderland tomorrow, we’re opting for Micah Richards just to be on the safe side. With a mere seven home goals conceded all season, City have made the Etihad a real fortress, and having picked up a goal and four assists at home so far, the marauding right-back offers the chance of points at both ends of the pitch tomorrow.
A trip to QPR will hold little fear for in-form Theo Walcott, as Arsenal look to extend their winning run to eight games. Walcott has banished the fears of inconsistency and proven to be a key contributor in the Gunners’ battle for third place – an average of 7.7 points per game over the recent streak of victories should be afforded further opportunity to flourish at Loftus Road tomorrow afternoon.
A home game for Fulham means only one thing – it’s time to call on Clint Dempsey. Martin Jol’s side failed to produce the goods in their previous match at the Cottage and have now gone three matches without scoring, but we’ve faith in the American this weekend as he squares up to Norwich. Dempsey has already returned double figures on four previous occasions in front of his own fans and, with the Canaries failing to keep a clean sheet on the road all season, he’s a strong armband option for many, too.
The top scoring midfielder in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) to date, Gareth Bale is drafted in ahead of the home game with Swansea. The Welshman has returned double figures four times at the Lane already and, following a recent few blanks, returned to goalscoring ways in the midweek FA Cup win over Bolton. After a set of difficult fixtures, Harry Redknapp’s side are now afforded a favourable run of games and if they are to have any chance of catching Arsenal, a win tomorrow looks essential in building momentum – Bale’s contribution will be vital, then.
There’s reasoning behind the selection of Yaya Toure. With City winning every one of their home games to date, a win looks on the cards for Roberto Mancini’s men as Sunderland roll up to the Etihad. City coverage is needed, then, but with David Silva out-of-sorts and Sergio Aguero missing out with that “stupid” ankle problem, there’s enough uncertainty up front for us to look elsewhere. Toure’s consistency offers a less-risky, mid-price option into Mancini’s first XI ahead of the Black Cats showdown and with the possibility of a 4-5-1, the Ivorian could be afforded a more attacking berth as City go hunting for the three points.
Such has been his consistency this season, two games without a goal is almost considered a drought for Robin Van Persie. Having failed to notch against Everton and Villa, the Dutchman squares up to a QPR side that have been poor defensively since Mark Hughes’ installation back in Gameweek 21; they’ve failed to record a single clean sheet and have conceded two or more goals in six of his ten matches in charge. With five double figure returns on the road already, Van Persie has the potential to run riot as Arsenal look to maintain their lead over Spurs in third.
Wayne Rooney gets the nod ahead of United’s trip to Blackburn on Monday evening. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be desperate to avenge their Old Trafford reverse against Steve Kean’s side and will go into the game in second place if City win against Sunderland. Goals are likely to be on the agenda, then, and with eight in his last six, Rooney is the obvious option going into the Ewood Park showdown.
Papiss Cisse’s recent fine form is impossible for us to overlook. A total of five goals in his first six games for Newcastle is indicative of his impact on Tyneside, with the former SC Freiburg player keeping compatriot Demba Ba firmly in the shade. With Liverpool losing five of their last six and doubts continuing to remain over Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson at the back, the Magpies man looks a good bet to continue his attacking returns at the Sports Direct Arena on Sunday.
