A quick turnaround in Gameweeks gives us the chance to roll out another set of Scout Picks. We’ve decided to turn our backs on many of the big-hitters and hand a few in-form debutants the chance to impress this time round…
Simon Mignolet gets the nod between the sticks as Sunderland welcome QPR to the Stadium of Light. Harry Redknapp has a real task on his hands in his first match in charge of the R’s – his goal-shy side have notched just once in their last three road trips, suggesting the chances of a home clean sheet look good this evening.
We’re taking a punt on Villa’s Ciaran Clark ahead of a home showdown with Reading. Paul Lambert’s side will be buoyed by their weekend clean sheet against Arsenal and Clark, who offers a greater goal threat than the rest of the Villa backline, has already returned a goal and assist over his 11 appearances so far.
This morning’s news that Gael Clichy is out for City’s trip to Wigan means we’re turning our attentions to Aleksandar Kolarov. With a single goal conceded in their last five, the champions have been racking up the clean sheet points after a slow defensive start to the campaign and Kolarov’s eye for goal and share of set-piece duties is enough to earn the Serbian a place in our XI.
Having produced a nine point return last weekend, Scout favourite Robert Huth keeps his place ahead of a home clash with injury-hit Newcastle. The hosts go in search of their sixth Britannia clean sheet and while the German’s aerial ability in the opposition box boosts his appeal, he’s also been consistently picking up bonus points in recent matches, with six produced over the last five Gameweeks.
Marouane Fellaini returns from suspension ahead of Everton’s home showdown with Arsenal. The Belgian has averaged more than nine points per game since recovering from a knee injury in Gameweek 9 and with two double figure points hauls at Goodison already, his threat in the box will pose the Gunners plenty problems from start to finish.
A home derby with Fulham affords Juan Mata the perfect opportunity to recover from Sunday’s blank against City. The Cottagers have shipped 16 goals in seven games on their travels and the odds are against them keeping out the Blues tomorrow evening; with attacking returns in four of his last five at the Bridge, Mata looks key to Rafa Benitez earning his first win as Chelsea boss.
The headline act in last week’s Differentials, Stephane Sessegnon gets a call-up to the Scout Picks after a goal and assist at home to West Brom last Saturday lunchtime. Sunderland now play host to QPR and, having now scored in each of his last two, Sessegnon has the form and potential to make Harry Redknapp’s Premier League return an unhappy one.
Gaston Ramirez served a reminder of his potential with a goal and assist in Southampton’s weekend win over Newcastle. With the Saints now settled in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Ramirez is clearly flourishing in his role in “the hole” behind Rickie Lambert and his trickery may well prove the key to unlocking the stubborn Norwich rearguard as the Saints look for a third straight win.
As rest and rotation kicks in at City, Carlos Tevez has been handed a sub role in the last couple of matches against Real Madrid and Chelsea. Logic would suggest, then, that Roberto Mancini is likely to shake things up again, as his side travel to Wigan on Wednesday evening and with that in mind, we’re drafting in the Argentine. The champions have been poor on the road of late and have failed to score in their last two away games – Wigan have been hit hard by injuries at the back and afford the visitors a perfect chance to get back to winning ways.
He may have gone two games without returns but Robin Van Persie still retains his place in the Scout Picks. Goals look on the agenda for United as West Ham roll up to Old Trafford – the hosts have averaged three per home game this term and the Dutchman is still heavily backed heading into this one, with 50% of votes cast in the Captain Poll so far.
Christian Benteke gets the nod ahead of Villa’s home showdown with Reading. Paul Lambert’s side sit third from bottom, just a point above their visitors, and their chances of picking up the points could well rely on the Belgian – he has scored or assisted in two of his last three at home and has the potential to bully the Royals backline into submission.
Nathaniel Clyne is our cut-price defensive option as Norwich roll up to St Mary’s. Chris Hughton’s side may be impressing at the back but in attack, it’s another matter altogether; the Canaries’ record of four goals in seven away games affords Clyne hope of registering back-to-back clean sheets, after keeping out Newcastle last weekend.
Pablo Hernandez makes the bench as Swansea prepare for the visit of West Brom. The Spaniard has been a major attacking threat for Michael Laudrup’s side over the last few games and has netted in two of his last three at the Liberty; with one defeat in their last seven, the hosts are in decent form as they look to burst the Baggies’ bubble.
The final bench place goes to Peter Crouch as Stoke play host to Newcastle. An average of six points per home game is enough to pique our interest and with the visitors ravaged by injury, Crouch will fancy his chances of picking up the points for the fifth time in seven at the Britannia.
