With the first international break finally behind us, we can get back to domestic matters at last as the Gameweek 4 deadline edges ever-nearer. Tottenham and United supply our XI with a couple of players apiece ahead of home games against Norwich and Palace respectively, while Southampton, Hull and Fulham have a say in the Scout Picks squad as we turn to the mid-price bracket for balance:
We opt for Artur Boruc as Southampton prepare to welcome West Ham to St Mary’s. The visitors’ dire away form harvested a mere 11 goals on their travels last term and, devoid of the injured Andy Carroll, the Hammers have fired blanks in each of their last two, suggesting a home clean sheet could well be on the cards.
Brede Hangeland gets the nod as Fulham play host to West Brom. The big centre-half earned maximum bonus in helping his side to their only clean sheet thus far – bearing in mind the Baggies have yet to find the net this season, Hangeland looks a strong shout here, with his aerial threat offering the potential of points at both ends of the pitch.
While much of the recent focus has been on Tottenham’s new midfielders, we turn to their classy centre-back as Norwich roll up to the Lane. Jan Vertonghen’s eye for goal delivered five strikes in his debut season in the top-flight last term and with two clean sheets and three bonus points already under his belt, he looks a real contender against a Canaries side that failed to score against 10-man Hull in their only road trip of the season.
Yet to pick up any attacking points, Patrice Evra has, nevertheless, offered plenty threat down the United left. While David Moyes may consider alternating his centre-halves ahead of next week’s Champions League home clash with Bayer Leverkusen, the Frenchman’s security of starts earns him the nod as Palace make their way to Old Trafford tomorrow lunchtime.
Passed fit after shrugging off the knock that forced him off during England’s midweek match with Ukraine, Theo Walcott is welcomed into the Scout Picks as Arsenal head to out-of-sorts Sunderland. The Gunners winger has been unlucky not to find the net thus far but looks a good bet to break his scoring duck against a Black Cats side that were beaten soundly by Crystal Palace last time out.
With doubts still surrounding the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, we’ve opted for the security offered by Philippe Coutinho as Liverpool roll up to the Liberty on Monday evening. The arrival of Victor Moses could finally allow the Brazilian to shift from the flank into the role in “the hole” behind a lone forward and wreak havoc against Michael Laudrup’s side as the Reds look to maintain their 100% unbeaten record.
Having opened his account for the season in the previous Gameweek, we hand Hatem Ben Arfa the chance to produce the goods again as Newcastle make their way to Villa Park. Joint-top for goal attempts by midfielders over the first three fixtures, the Magpies man faces a Villa side that has conceded in each of their last 25 league fixtures – you have to go all the way back to Gameweek 16 of last term to find the last time Paul Lambert’s side kept a clean sheet.
Robbie Brady affords Fantasy managers a cut-price midfield option this weekend as Hull prepare for the visit of fellow new boys Cardiff. The Tigers spot-kick taker registered an 11 point-haul in his previous appearance at the KC and will be looking to take advantage of a Bluebirds side with major worries over first-choice stopper David Marshall.
A home game with Crystal Palace looks tailor-made for Robin Van Persie to produce the goods domestically after back-to-back blanks against Chelsea and Liverpool. The United forward warmed up with three goals for Holland over the international break and carries the captaincy hopes of many into tomorrow’s early kick-off.
He may have yet to score during open play for Tottenham in the league but we’re banking Roberto Soldado to grab the goals as Norwich roll up to the Lane tomorrow. Having found the net for Spain in midweek, the summer signing from Valencia looks in the mood and with Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela likely to be handed their home debuts, could be handed plenty of chances to put the Canaries to the sword.
With three goals to his name already, Christian Benteke has wasted little time in reproducing the form that took the top-flight by storm in the latter part of the previous campaign. A home clash against Newcastle offers Villa’s brilliant Belgian the chance to deliver the points again and, having already breached the Arsenal and Chelsea backlines, Benteke is second top in this week’s Captain Poll for those eyeing up an armband alternative to Van Persie.
Hull’s James Chester warms the bench for a home clash with Cardiff. At 4.0 in FPL, the Tigers centre-half looks solid value and has already returned a clean sheet and bonus point in his only fixture at the KC so far.
We hand Adel Taarabt a chance to impress as Fulham entertain West Brom at the Cottage. With the Baggies influx of new signings still needing to gel, Martin Jol will be hoping the Moroccan can turn on the magic and steer the hosts to a vital three points after recent back-to-back defeats.
A home showdown with West Ham brings Rickie Lambert into contention tomorrow afternoon. The Saints forward has yet to notch from open play but, as our members data confirms, he’s shown plenty of attacking threat so far and his contribution is likely to be decisive as the Saints go in search of their second win of the season.
