After a rather protracted Gameweek 1, we’re finally ready for the next round of matches. The big decision this week was based around United’s forward line, though Swansea’s attacking options caused plenty of debate behind the scenes for the Scout Picks Committee:
David De Gea kicks us off with a home game against Fulham on United’s agenda. Granted, the Cottagers couldn’t have asked for a better start last week with a 5-0 home win over Norwich but they’ve been poor on the road under Martin Jol, scoring just 12 away goals all last season. De Gea’s save points and 6.0 FPL price earn him the nod for our United defensive coverage as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men look to bounce back from Monday night’s Goodison defeat.
We were all set to hand Chico a Scout Picks debut but with the Swansea centre-half doubtful due to a groin problem, Angel Rangel gets the nod instead. The Welsh outfit welcome West Ham to the Liberty Stadium, so often a fortress last season, and with a clean sheet already racked up at QPR last Saturday, Rangel’s forays down the right flank offers the added chance of attacking returns.
Carlos Cuellar offers the cheapest route into a Sunderland defence that play host to Reading this weekend. The Black Cats defied the doubters with an opening day clean sheet at the Emirates, with Cuellar forming a solid partnership alongside John O’Shea in the heart of the back-four – the summer signing from Villa looks a solid cut-price option across the Fantasy games ahead of tomorrow’s Stadium of Light showdown.
We’d love to include Jan Vertonghen here but Andre Villas-Boas’ line-up for last week’s game at Newcastle has forced us to turn to a Tottenham alternative. With Younes Kaboul ruled out due to a knee problem, it’s a toss-up between the two full-backs for our affections and Kyle Walker’s attacking forays down the right just get the nod ahead of a home clash with West Brom, as Spurs seek to put last Saturday’s loss behind them.
We can’t really ignore Michu this week. Swansea’s summer signing from Rayo Vallecano wasted no time in demonstrating the eye for goal that saw him find the net 15 times in La Liga last term by notching twice on his league debut. At home to West Ham, and with five home fixtures in the next seven Gameweeks, he looks likely to be afforded plenty opportunity to continue his superb start to the campaign.
Gareth Bale is out Tottenham attacker of choice as the Baggies roll up to White Hart Lane. With doubts over whether Rafael Van der Vaart or Gylfi Sigurdsson will start in “the hole” and with Emmanuel Adebayor pushing Jermain Defoe for a start up front, the Welshman is the most secure pick for Andre Villas-Boas’ side and a real armband contender for Gameweek 2.
With five assists in his first two games, Eden Hazard is a nailed-on pick this weekend. The Belgian’s direct attacking role under Roberto Di Matteo looks set to oust Juan Mata from many a Fantasy team over the next few Gameweeks – with back-to-back double figure hauls already, he’s another potential captain option as the Blues look to gain revenge on Newcastle after last term’s 2-0 Stamford Bridge reverse.
James McClean is already up and running in the FPL game, with the winger receiving maximum bonus points for a typically industrious display on the Sunderland left flank at Arsenal last Saturday. A home clash affords him the perfect opportunity to push on from his strong start and with Steven Fletcher adding an extra goal threat up front, his delivery from the flank could trouble Reading throughout tomorrow’s home match.
Robin Van Persie leads the line for the Scout Picks ahead of a home clash with Fulham. Sir Alex Ferguson hinted earlier today that his summer signing could very well start tomorrow afternoon and with United drawing a blank at Everton, the former Arsenal skipper looks the answer in their quest for goals against the travel sick Cottagers. Ultimately, it was a choice between Van Persie and Wayne Rooney but our decision came down to Robin’s reliability – he seldom, if ever, let us down last season and, with only 13% of the votes so far in the Captain Poll, could prove to be an outstanding armband differential this weekend.
With Sergio Aguero nursing his injured knee on the sidelines, Carlos Tevez seems set to be the main man up front for City over the short-term, at least. A trip to Anfield will hold little fear for Roberto Mancini’s side and with the hosts still coming to terms with Brendan Rodgers’ change in tactics, Tevez could well add to his opener against Southampton on Sunday as the defending champions look to take advantage of Daniel Agger’s suspension for Liverpool.
Rickie Lambert demonstrated his eye for goal in Southampton’s narrow loss at City last weekend. While he was handed the role of impact sub at the Etihad, with Nigel Adkins rolling out a lone striker system, we suspect the Saints may revert to 4-4-2 for tomorrow’s home clash with Wigan and Lambert – with spot-kick duties and a fair share of direct free-kicks in the bag – could well be set to prosper.
Danny Fox makes the bench ahead of Southampton’s first home game of the season. The left-back’s share of corner kicks and set-pieces could be crucial to his side’s attacking intentions and with the Latics bracing themselves for the departure of Victor Moses, the Saints defender offers points potential at both ends of the pitch this weekend.
Adel Taarabt was unlucky not to produce any attacking returns in last week’s 5-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea. The Moroccan fired off shots aplenty against the Welsh outfit – twice the number of Michu, for example – yet drew a blank for his endeavours. Up against a Norwich side that conceded five last time round, the stage could be set for him to steer QPR to victory at Carrow Road.
Grant Holt squeezes his way onto the bench to complete the 15-man squad. Chris Hughton’s side face five of last season’s top eight between now and Gameweek 8 and the Canaries will be desperate to clinch a victory tomorrow before the schedule turns nasty – up against a QPR defence that shipped five and with a shaky looking Robert Green in the opposition goal, Holt will be expected to produce the goods.
