With five clubs facing a double Gameweek, there’s no surprise to see this week’s Scout Picks heavily populated by the likes of Arsenal, United and Everton. Eleven of our 14-strong squad have a pair of matches on their respective agendas, though Liverpool and City cannot be ignored in light of their enticing fixtures:
David De Gea gets the nod between the sticks for United’s double Gameweek. Having featured in the first XI in each of the last 16 league matches, he offers a security of starts that has been unrivalled amongst Sir Alex Ferguson’s backline and travels to Stoke and West Ham on the back of six clean sheets in seven. The potential for defensive points seems promising – the Potters have scored twice in the last six Gameweeks, while Sam Allardyce’s side have failed to find the net in two of the last three.
Bacary Sagna is our Arsenal defender of choice for back-to-back home games with Norwich and Everton. Coming in at 4.7 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the Frenchman offers a cheap route into a backline that has picked up three clean sheets in the previous seven and, since returning from injury, has climbed ahead of Carl Jenkinson in the pecking order as Arsene Wenger look to experienced heads to help clinch a top four finish. Given that the Canaries have scored once in five away trips, the first match looks particularly promising, while Everton have drawn blanks in two of their last four on the road.
Site favourite Leighton Baines is welcomed into the Scout Picks ahead of Everton’s double. The left-back plays host to QPR tomorrow afternoon before making his way to the Emirates the following Tuesday and with a goal, assist or clean sheet in nine of the last 11 Gameweeks, it’s little wonder he’s risen to the top of the FPL defender standings once again.
City’s home clash with Wigan next Wednesday affords Pablo Zabaleta the chance to maintain a level of consistency that has mirrored Baines since the turn of the year. The City right-back has also produced either a goal, assist, clean sheet or bonus in all but two of his 11 appearances in 2013 and with Roberto Mancini’s side keeping out their opponents in five of the last six at the Etihad, looks poised for further points against the Latics.
Runaway leader in this week’s Captain Poll, Santi Cazorla has received significant investment over the last few days as midfields are restructured for the double. The Spaniard has registered double figures in each of his last two home matches and with visitors Everton and Norwich managing a single clean sheet in their previous 12 and 10 away matches respectively, Arsene Wenger’s side look poised to get amongst the goals.
Back from a two-match suspension, Marouane Fellaini makes an instant return to the Scout Picks for Everton’s pair of fixtures. Having produced double figures at Goodison five times already this term, the Belgian welcomes a QPR side that has conceded at least three times in three of their last four on the road. While a trip to Arsenal is a little trickier, Fellaini has already notched against the Gunners and picked up maximum bonus back in Gameweek 14.
Liverpool’s trip to Reading helps Philippe Coutinho retain his place in the Scout Picks XI. The January signing has scored or assisted in all three of his away appearances this term, averaging 7.6 points per game on the road – up against the most porous backline in the Premier League, he looks set to prosper once again.
We’re willing to take a slight chance on Theo Walcott for Arsenal’s pair of fixtures. Having missed the last two through injury, there’s a chance he may start on the bench against Norwich but even if he’s only introduced as a sub, has the potential to produce. With attacking returns in 10 of his last 13, his consistency is far superior to other Arsenal options such as Gervinho or Olivier Giroud and is enough to persuade us he’s worth drafting in.
Wayne Rooney is our United forward of choice ahead of the trips to Stoke and West Ham. While Robin Van Persie continues to toil, Rooney has undoubtedly been the man in form for the league leaders – analysing their last six starts, Rooney has five goals and two assists compared to the Dutchman’s single strike and four assists, outscoring his strike partner 47 – 33. While faith in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has taken a dent in recent weeks, Rooney remains a real differential contender heading into the weekend with a mere 8% ownership in FPL.
Five goals and 11 bonus points in his last five matches highlights the current form of Dimitar Berbatov. With a pair of fixtures on Fulham’s agenda, the Bulgarian has proven more popular than any other forward heading into tomorrow’s deadline – he visits a Villa side without a clean sheet in 16 Gameweeks before entertaining Chelsea at the Cottage the following Wednesday. With Rafa Benitez’s side picking up a single point in their last four roads trips, Berbatov’s chance to continue his outstanding form look strong.
Everton’s Kevin Mirallas is our final forward for the double. Despite being utilised in midfield, the Belgian has scored in three of the last four Gameweeks and also produced seven bonus points over that period – at just 6.8 in FPL, he’s been in superb form ahead of those clashes with QPR and Arsenal.
Joey O’Brien gets the nod for West Ham’s pair of fixtures. A trip to Southampton and home clash with United are far from straightforward but Sam Allardyce’s side will be buoyed by last weekend’s defensive display at Anfield, with the goalless draw helping the Hammers to a second clean sheet in four. With a couple of goals and three assists to his name, O’Brien offers greater attacking potential than any defensive team mate, should his side concede.
On current form alone, there’s no doubt Kevin Nolan is a punt heading into the Hammers’ double. Having scored five times in the opening 11 Gameweek, Nolan has notched just once since but with Sam Allardyce’s side requiring a victory to take them over the 40 point mark, the West Ham captain could play a pivotal role in their fortunes against Southampton and United.
Christian Benteke’s incredible form is only forced onto the bench by a trio of double Gameweek forwards. The Villa front man has now notched in each of his last four and has found the net 10 times in 12 league appearances since the turn of the year – he looks in irresistible form as the midlanders go in search of a fourth win in five against visitors Fulham.
