Home games for Liverpool, Newcastle and Arsenal play a significant part in how we assess the options for this weekend. Chelsea’s stuttering form makes us somewhat reluctant to load up on the Blues attacking options, while Sunday’s unpredictable Manchester derby has been given a wide berth – even a certain Dutchman gets the cold shoulder for this one. Here’s who we’ve opted for instead:
With uncertainty surrounding most of the Liverpool back-four right now, we turn to the security of starts offered by Simon Mignolet between the sticks. Joint-second overall in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) standings, the Belgian has yet to concede at Anfield and will fancy his chances of more defensive returns against a goal-shy Southampton side that have found the net just twice this term.
Chelsea may be struggling for form but a home derby with injury-hit Fulham affords Jose Mourinho’s side the chance to return to winning ways. While the Blues are toiling up top, they’ve been resilient at the back and conceded just twice so far in the league – with that in mind, we opt for Branislav Ivanovic, with the Serbian’s aerial threat from set-pieces already harvesting a goal in Gameweek 1.
Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is welcomed into the back-three for a home clash with Hull. Alan Pardew’s side have yet to concede at St James’ Park and the Argentine has returned maximum bonus points in both the Magpies’ home games thus far – the Tigers have failed to score on the road and with Robert Koren ruled out and Robbie Brady doubtful, another home clean sheet looks on the cards.
A trip to West Ham brings Seamus Coleman into the fold this week. The Hammers’ inability to find the net since Gameweek 1 affords Roberto Martinez’ side the chance to build on last week’s win over Chelsea, while the right-back’s raids down the flank have already been pivotal to his rise to top scoring defender in the FPL game so far.
Subject of a members Monitor article earlier in the week, Theo Walcott immediately vindicated our theory that goals were just around the corner by opening the scoring in Arsenal’s Champions League win in Marseille. With confidence high, the Gunners winger could well be poised to open his domestic account as Stoke come calling to the Emirates on Sunday.
The second of this week’s Monitor articles for members, Michu followed Walcott’s lead by finding the net in Europe last night. With goals in back-to-back games, the Swansea midfielder is finding form after a patchy start and now makes his way to Palace on Sunday afternoon – Ian Holloway’s side have yet to register a clean sheet and will be hard-pushed to keep out their in-form visitors this weekend.
Goals in each of his last couple of appearances, boosted by a move to the right of a front three, brings Hatem Ben Arfa into this week’s Scout Picks. The Frenchman faces a Hull side with both Maynor Figueroa and left-back deputy Paul McShane sidelined and could be set to pick up the points again as Alan Pardew’s men go in search of a third straight victory.
Our final midfield spot goes to Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen. The Dane just edges out Frank Lampard in our thinking here – having followed up last week’s assist against Norwich with an outrageous Europa League strike against Norwegian side Tromso last night, his flourishing form is enough to persuade us to include him as Andre Villas-Boas’ side head to Cardiff.
Recovering from the thigh injury that forced him out of the recent England matches, Daniel Sturridge continued his superb start to the season with yet another strike for Liverpool in the previous Gameweek. With Philippe Coutinho injured for the hosts, Sturridge’s contribution will be more vital than ever as he looks to maintain his goal-a-game record against Southampton at Anfield tomorrow afternoon.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is another nailed-on option for our three-man frontline. The top scoring player in the FPL game, Giroud’s stunning start has made a mockery of his initial 8.5 price tag – a current cost of 9.0 still looks a bargain for the four-goal Frenchman, who looks in formidable form ahead of the weekend showdown against Stoke.
Having already breached the Chelsea and Arsenal backlines on his travels, Christian Benteke will be confident of a repeat performance as Villa pay visit to Norwich. The midlands outfit may have lost three-in-a-row now but their talismanic Belgian shows little sign of slowing down – he’s now notched 18 goals in his last 21 Premier League games and will be key to Paul Lambert’s chances of getting one over his former side in tomorrow’s early kick-off.
A home game with out-of-sorts Sunderland bring Gareth McAuley into our thoughts. Having grabbed a goal in last week’s draw with Fulham, the Baggies centre-half has already opened his account for the season and with the visitors scoring just three times so far this term, Steve Clarke’s side will be hopeful of a second clean sheet of the campaign tomorrow afternoon.
Man of the moment Aaron Ramsey is forced onto the bench for Arsenal’s home clash against Stoke. With six strikes to his name already, the Gunners midfielder has earned over 360,000 new owners this week alone and looks outstanding value for Sunday’s head-to-head with the Potters.
Handed his first Newcastle start by Alan Pardew last week, Loic Remy arrives on the radar for the Magpies’ home clash against Hull. Set to feature on the left of a front three, the Frenchman has crept firmly under the radar thanks to the exploits of team-mate Ben Arfa but his contribution could be equally key at St James’ Park tomorrow afternoon.
