We’re all set for round three of a four-Gameweek festive spell, as the weekend heralds in the final set of fixtures in the calendar year. This time round, we’ve two players from United, Arsenal and Stoke, though City’s poor form, allied with a trip to Norwich, means the champions are overlooked:
Jussi Jaaskelainen gets the nod between the sticks as West Ham make their way to out-of-sorts Reading. Quite simply, the Royals have been abysmal in front of goal in recent matches and have failed to score in four of the last five Gameweeks – with clean sheets in two of their previous four on the road, Sam Allardyce’s side may well be set for defensive returns once again.
Robert Huth will be hoping to shore up the Stoke defence ahead of Southampton’s visit to the Britannia. Although both Ryan Shawcross and Geoff Cameron are set to serve one-match suspensions this weekend, the Potters’ chance of a tenth clean sheet of the campaign is boosted by their visitors’ lack of bite in recent games – Nigel Adkins’ side have scored just three times in the last five Gameweeks, suggesting yet another shut-out could be on the cards for the league’s best defence.
We’ve opted for Kieran Gibbs as Arsenal prepare for a home clash with injury-hit Newcastle. The Gunners have hinted at an upturn in defensive reliance, with two clean sheets in the last three, while Gibbs’ attacking potential also saw him pick up a pair of assist in the recent win at Reading. The left-back has also received bonus in two of the previous trio of fixtures – an indication of his strong form as Arsene Wenger’s men look for a fourth straight win against a side that has lost each of their last four on the road.
Last season’s top scoring FPL defender Patrice Evra is welcomed to the Scout Picks as United prepare for the visit of West Brom. With four goals, two assists and 13 bonus points already to his name, the Frenchman is more than atoning for a lack of clean sheets – while United’s midfield fail to offer us any value, the 6.9 priced left-back has continued to rack up the points, with goals in each of his last two. The Baggies have scored just three times in their last three on the road, though any defensive returns would be a bonus, given the Red Devils’ form at the back.
Theo Walcott is our Arsenal attacker of choice as the Gunners prepare to welcome Newcastle to the Emirates. Handed a role up top, he has returned a goal and assist in his last two and is expected to keep his place as the lone forward, despite Olivier Giroud’s recovery from illness. The Magpies have conceded at least twice in each of their last four road trips, offering Arsene Wenger’s side plenty encouragement as they look to Walcott to fire them to a fourth successive victory.
The form of Gareth Bale makes the Spurs winger impossible to leave out. While a trip to Sunderland is far from straightforward – Martin O’Neill’s side have three clean sheets in the last four – Bale arrives at the Stadium of Light on the back of a Boxing Day hat-trick at Villa and has now registered four lots of double figure returns away from the Lane.
Juan Mata’s scintillating form is also too good to ignore. Granted, a trip to Goodison is anything but straightforward – Everton are one of two sides still unbeaten at home this term but David Moyes’ side have failed to register a clean sheet since Gameweek 5. Mata has produced attacking returns in each of his last four – three goals, an assist and five bonus points over those fixtures highlight his importance to the visitors’ chances of picking up the points.
Jon Walters grabs the final midfield spot as Stoke take on Southampton at the Britannia. His recent move from the right flank to the support role behind Kenwyne Jones culminated in a brace and maximum bonus against Liverpool last Wednesday – Walters’ goal impact should see him keep his more advanced role against a Saints side that have conceded in every road trip this term.
Wayne Rooney’s knee injury has eased fears over rest and rotation for Robin Van Persie during the festive period. The Dutchman is now set to host a West Brom side without a single clean sheet on the road so far and with the Baggies sweating over the fitness of key players, Van Persie – who has averaged just over eight FPL points per home start so far – is a clear armband favourite in the Captain Poll.
The return of Bryan Ruiz boosts our faith in Dimitar Berbatov ahead of a home clash against Swansea. Ruiz made his comeback from a hamstring injury in midweek by climbing off the bench against Southampton and is expected to be handed a starting berth this time round; his installation will allowed the Bulgarian the chance to move to a more advanced position up top. boosting his potential after some disappointing recent returns.
Having been passed fit for Liverpool’s trip to QPR, Luis Suarez comes back into our reckoning. With a goal and assist in his last two, the Uruguayan has returned to form after a blank run of four matches and with the hosts conceding in each of their last five under Harry Redknapp, Suarez could be primed to pick up the points again as the Reds attempt to bounce back from the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke.
Ian Harte warms the bench as Reading play host to West Ham. The left-back has come in from the cold of late and has started the last two ahead of Nicky Shorey – a change of formation to a 4-5-1 has seen the Royals concede just once over that pair of fixtures and bodes well for the hosts’ chances of a clean sheet tomorrow. Factor in his share of set-pieces and Harte looks decent value at 3.8 this weekend.
This afternoon’s Watchlist candidate Kevin Nolan makes an appearance for the Hammers’ Madejski showdown. After a particularly tough set of fixtures over the past couple of months, Sam Allardyce’s side will be gunning for a Reading side that have one home win all season. Nolan’s eye for goal has been missing lately but a showdown with the worst defence in the top-flight affords him the perfect opportunity to get back amongst the points.
We’re handing Christian Benteke the chance to atone for his midweek blank against Tottenham as Villa host Wigan tomorrow afternoon. After back-to-back hammerings against Chelsea and Spurs, Paul Lambert will be reliant on the Belgian to put a smile back on Villa fans’ faces and will be encouraged by the fact that the Latics have conceded at least twice in each of their last four road trips.
