[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
3 May 2013 1666 comments
Paul Paul
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Unsurprisingly, the upcoming double Gameweek dominates this week’s Scout Picks. With six sides facing a pair of fixtures apiece, the potential for points sees us pile up on the likes of City, Chelsea and Tottenham, with all but one of our starting XI handed a couple of matches to rack up the Fantasy returns. Here’s who we’ve opted for:

Joe Hart is our preferred keeper for City’s double Gameweek. Having recovered from a back spasm suffered against West Ham last weekend, Hart makes his way to the Liberty to face a Swansea side that have scored twice in their last four at home. After that one, a Tuesday evening showdown with West Brom looks enticing, too – City have five clean sheets in seven at the Etihad and have shipped just 12 goals in front of their own fans all season.

Jan Vertonghen’s eye for goal helps the Tottenham defender get the nod ahead of a home clash with Southampton and trip to Chelsea. Bearing in mind his side have conceded in each of the last nine Gameweeks, the Belgian certainly hasn’t been selected for his defensive potential – three goals, two assists and four bonus points in his last six appearances, however, have more than atoned for his lack of clean sheets. Vertonghen is certainly a luxury item: Michael Dawson, at just 4.4, is your Spurs alternative should you be shopping on a budget.

In all likelihood, Chelsea will do well to register one clean sheet from their upcoming games against United and Tottenham. Despite their backline’s limited appeal, David Luiz has done more than enough in recent matches to earn himself a place in our starting XI. Having started eight of the last nine, Luiz has offered a security of starts greater than any Blues defender and with a move to central midfield allied with a share of set-pieces, he’s now scored in three of his last five in all competitions.

Emmerson Boyce is called upon as Wigan prepare for crucial games against West Brom and Swansea. Boyce has already racked up three goals from his role on the right of midfield this term and although there’s the possibility he could be moved to the back three to cover for injuries this weekend, Roberto Martinez hinted that Antolin Alcaraz is close to a return – a scenario that may allow Boyce to revert to his out of position role for Tuesday’s home clash with the Swans.

An overwhelming favourite in this week’s Captain Poll, Gareth Bale’s stunning form shows no sign of slowing down. It’s seven sets of double figures in his last nine for the Welshman now and with Spurs in desperate need of the points to boost their chances of a third place finish, he affords a security of game time that few, if any, of the City and Chelsea midfield can guarantee.

With a goal or assist in four of the last five Gameweeks, Samir Nasri is hitting top form ahead of City’s double Gameweek. The Frenchman’s appeal is boosted by the fact he offers us a cheaper option than David Silva in FPL and, while he’s similarly priced to Yaya Toure, is owned by just 4% of managers to the Ivorian’s 19%. With Swansea conceding twice in five of their last six, City will be confident of a win at the Liberty, while a run of seven wins and a draw in their last eight at the Etihad suggests a home win against West Brom is more than likely.

The steady consistency of Juan Mata earns Chelsea’s playmaker a Scout Picks call-up this weekend. While it’s something of a concern that he’s failed to find the net since Gameweek 25, Mata has, nonetheless, supplied five assists overt his last five matches and having been handed a brief sub appearance in last night’s Europa League win over FC Basel, he gets the nod over Eden Hazard. Encouragingly, Mata has already produced against Spurs and United earlier this term, returning a combined 27 points across Gameweek 8 and 9 back in mid-October.

With a pair of games on his upcoming agenda, we cannot ignore Michu. There’s no denying the Swansea midfielder has stumbled since the turn of the year but, having played a part in 50% of his side’s goals this season, he’s the one man likely to produce as Michael Laudrup’s side look to address a run of four goals in their last six. Michu welcomes a City side with one clean sheet in their last five road trips this Saturday before travelling to Wigan on Tuesday evening – with the Latics hit hard by injuries at the back, his 45% owners will be optimistic of further points.

We keep faith in Theo Walcott after he vindicated our selection for last week’s clash with United. This time round the Arsenal winger makes his way to relegated QPR and with Harry Redknapp’s beleaguered side registering a single clean sheet in their last 10 Gameweeks, Walcott’s return to form could see him plunder the points at Loftus Road tomorrow.

We’ve opted for Sergio Aguero as our City forward of choice for the trip to Swansea and home game with West Brom. Back in the first XI last weekend, he signalled his return by grabbing the opener against West Ham and with City keen to nail down a spot in second place, they’re in no position to ease up just yet. Roberto Mancini’s rotation policy could come back to bite us but given it’s the final double of the season, we reckon it’s a risk worth taking.

While he’s struggled for form over the last few matches, Arouna Kone’s displays may well determine whether Wigan are still in with a shout of survival once the Gameweek is done and dusted. Having scored more than double the number of league goals than any other Latics team mate, the Ivorian could well prove pivotal against the porous Swansea and West Brom backlines.

Our first bench-warmer is Angel Rangel as Swansea prepare for games against City and Wigan. With two goals to his name so far, the right-back has found the net more often than any defensive team mate and with the return of Neil Taylor perhaps casting question marks over Ben Davies’ game time, the Spaniard seems the safest option.

Shaun Maloney is edged onto the bench for Wigan’s aforementioned pair of fixtures. He’s somewhat unfortunate not to grab a starting berth – having grabbed a goal, assist and three bonus points over the last four he’s been the Latics’ most in-form attacking option and with set-piece duties in his locker, Maloney’s 5.3 price tag has already tempted many as a cheap fifth midfield option this week.

Romelu Lukaku is the unluckiest bench candidate of all. The Baggies forward has scored or assisted in nine of his last 11 starts and arrives at the double on the back of his highest FPL tally of the season – while the home clash with Wigan looks profitable, it’s the midweek trip to City that dents his appeal, though judging by his recent displays, there’d be no surprise if he delivered in both games. With 11 starts in the last 13 he’s been available for, Lukaku certainly seems to have established himself as a regular since the turn of the year.

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  1. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Guys should I play sagna or rafael?

    Thanks

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    1. Burly - swear i wont ever (…
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      sagna all day long

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    2. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      sagna. easy.

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      1. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers thats what I was thinking.

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  2. FRESH SLICE
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Of players who have taken at least 5 direct free kicks in the Premier League this season, who has the best goalscoring rate at 43%? (Incidentally they've scored the most free kicks in the PL this season, too).

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    1. Demí
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Snodgrass

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  4. Indio
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Will Luiz score over 4 more points than Enrique this week?

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    1. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      nope

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    2. Slacker
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Yes Don clearly doesn't have your interests in mind. Luiz has a DGW. Luiz has set-pieces. Luiz has OoP advantage. It's a no-brainer.

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  5. Spencer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Help please guys.

    Play 1, bench 2.

    A. Sagna
    B. Baines
    C. Demel

    Robles
    Dawson - Kompany
    Walcott - Michu - Maloney - Bale
    Tevez - Aguero - Defoe

    DDG - Fellaini

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    1. mischty
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      play Sagna ,only because I'm asking about the other two...

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    2. Indio
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      tough one, but play Baines despite tougher looking feature - others may not bag cleanie but Baines is always a good shout for attacking returns

      nice team for this week btw

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  6. mischty
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Play Demel (NEW) or Baines (liv) ?

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    1. joinho
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Toss a coin

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    2. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Baines

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    3. TyrannosavrvsPvlis
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Demel

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    4. Indio
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Baines (as above)

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      1. mischty
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        cheers!

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  7. joinho
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    2 transfers made and good to go. It now just comes to the left field captain choice?

    Foster (Federici)
    Mertesacker, Demel, Martin R (Davies) (Clyne)
    Michu, Bale, Mata, Fellaini (Sissoko)
    Lukaku, RVP, Tevez

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    1. mischty
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Michu, Tevez, Lukaku ?
      p.s.- you're playing Martin over Davies?

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  8. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Guys should I play Rafael or Coutinho?

    Thanks

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    1. joinho
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Coutinho

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    2. Slacker
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      coutinho

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  9. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Guys plz Help Me choose one Defender for DGW :

    A- McAuley

    B- Boyce

    One Mid for DGW :

    A- Nasri

    B- Maloney

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    1. joinho
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Boyce and Maloney

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  10. ratski
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Does it worry anyone manchini said in his press conference he will use youngsters in his last 2 games?

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      They have 4 games left...

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  11. Spencer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    There's been a new post long time ago...

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  12. Rossendale Rover
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Evening all, I'm on -4 having subbed out Berbs for Kone and Samba to Vertongen. But im still carrying sissoko and fellaini and feel its an ideal time to get rid. I've no Chelsea cover which is concerning me though I've only 0.7 in bank. Do I play Fellaini this week or make another transfer:
    1 Fellaini to Oscar
    2 Sissoko to j Morrison

    thanks in advance

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    1. TyrannosavrvsPvlis
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      if you don't have enough DGW players you should go for oscar but taking a 8 point hit is a bit risky

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  13. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Please rate my team. 2.6m in bank.

    Surfer Rosa :

    Hart
    Dawson, Davies, Scharner
    Mata, Bale, Toure, Oscar
    Lukaku, Kone, Tevez

    Federici, Walcott, Baines, Martin

    😉

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    1. Rossendale Rover
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Looking healthy but I would try and squeeze Walcott into your starting 11, perhaps for Toure.

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      1. Jax
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Toure's two games to walcotts one edges it for me

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    2. TyrannosavrvsPvlis
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      not so sure about oscar over walcott otherwise team looking good

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  14. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Guys should I play demel or rafael?

    Thanks

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    1. Rossendale Rover
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Both are bargain basement players but Demel is the most likely to gain points. Don't see Rafael making too many gains against ash cole

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      1. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

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  15. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Lebron MVP

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  16. Indio
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Jussi
    Sagna, Vertonghen, Enrique
    Haz, Bale, Michu, Maloney
    Kone, Tevez, RVP

    Worth doing Enrique > Luiz for hit? (already on -4; took -8 hit last week)

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  17. The Gambler.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Guys any transfers worthy of a hit? Worried I am missing an obvious one?

    De Gea
    Zaba – Enrique – Sagna
    Bale (c) – Hazard – Walcott – Michu
    Tevez – Lukaku – RVP

    (Turnbull, Shaw, Mariappa, Puncheon)

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    1. Jude Rooney
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      De Gea to Hart if you can afford it?

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  18. Jude Rooney
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Can't believe Berba is fit

    Was going to go Berba and Giroud to Kone and Lukaku

    Is that really worth -4 now?

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  19. Unconstitutional
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys, this is what I've got so far (subs in brackets, DGWers asterisked):

    Jaaskelainen, (Elliot)
    Davies*, Sagna, J Evans, (Harte, Clyne)
    Maloney*, Bale*, Mata*, Hazard*, Michu*
    Tevez*, Benteke, (Rooney)

    For a -4 hit I could transfer Rooney out for a DGW striker to play instead of Benteke, but I'm not sure. Or I could transfer J Evans out for Vert or Luiz.

    Suggestions? Or am I good to go?

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  20. LABILLEPOGBATHEGOAT
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Guys I've got one free transfer. Is dawson>turner a good move?

    Thanks

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  21. paranoid_android
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Fellaini > Nasri or Fellaini > Yaya Toure?

    Much appreciated!

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    1. Chrisitis
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Yaya

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  22. JayBomb
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    I need a differential cap choice over Bale please help

    A Mata
    B Hazard
    C Aguaro
    D Tevez
    E Kone

    Cheers

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  23. Sebastian Rooks
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Gents have a small dilemma this week...

    MY TEAM is

    Bunn/Cesar
    Rafael Clichy Johnson (Wilson Harte)
    Taraabt Fellaini Mata Walcott Bale
    Aguero Kone (Lambert)

    3.5 Bank

    Would you do..

    A) Taraabt and Rafael for Nasri/Michu* and Vertonghen
    B) Fellaini and Lambert for Nasri/Michu* and Lukaku
    C) Taraabt and Lambert > Maloney and Tevez

    (Please choose your selection from Michu and Nasri*)

    Thanks

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  24. Martin.S
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    RMT

    ROBLES

    DAVIES - DAWSON - Sagna

    Walcott - MICHU - MALONEY - BALE (C)

    TEVEZ (vc) - Benteke - Berbatov

    1 FT, 1.8 Bank

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  25. no1baj
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Someone give me a reason to take out RVP, about to click confirm!

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  26. Kane Toads
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Baines or Demel on the bench for GW36?

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  27. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    What site do i go to to post a screen shot of my team?

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  28. Slacker
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Benteke OR Ben Davies with the DGW?

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  29. Robalabobolol
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    (c) Vertongen

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  30. PDXTimbers
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Which big hitter Defender to bring in for this week and the rest of the season?

    A) Kompany
    B) Luiz
    C) Vertongen

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