For Fantasy managers, the past few days have posed plenty of problems as injuries hit hard across the premium bracket. Christian Benteke and Theo Walcott have already been ruled out, while Sergio Aguero’s omission for City’s trip to Villa plays a part in this week’s Picks. Robin Van Persie may be back for United’s home clash with West Brom but David Moyes’ ”whether we use him or whether we don’t” statement has hardly filled us with confidence:
A home game against struggling Palace sees Artur Boruc get the nod between the sticks. Having registered a clean sheet against Liverpool last week, the Saints stopper has now conceded just twice in the first five Gameweeks and looks a superb budget option for tomorrow’s St Mary’s showdown.
Top scoring player in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game thus far, Leighton Baines welcomes Newcastle to Goodison on Monday evening. Everton have yet to concede in front of their own fans this season, suggesting the chances of a clean sheet are strong, while Baines’ pair of free-kicks against West Ham last week served a reminder of his attacking potential.
Nemanja Vidic gets the nod at the back as United prepare for the visit of West Brom. Rested for the midweek cup win over Liverpool, the Red Devils skipper will surely return to the starting XI against a Baggies side with just four goals to their name this season – Vidic’s aerial threat in the box could come to fruition, while his propensity for picking up bonus has already delivered a maximum haul in the home match against Chelsea in Gameweek 2.
With Christian Benteke stuck on the sidelines, Villa’s prospects of breaching the City backline have been somewhat diminished. We call upon Vincent Kompany, then, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side look to continue a run which has seen them concede just once in the last three Gameweeks. Down to 6.3 in FPL, the Belgian now offers a cheaper route into the City defence than 6.4 priced Pablo Zabaleta.
Marc Wilson is our fourth defender as Stoke prepare for the visit of Norwich. Shifted to a central midfield role under Mark Hughes, the 4.5 priced defender looks a strong budget option this weekend against a Canaries side that have yet to find the net in their two road trips so far.
We’re backing Michu to maintain his recent return to form as Swansea entertain Arsenal at the Liberty. The Swans’ home encounters with United and Liverpool have been open, high-scoring affairs and we reckon goals are on the agenda once again tomorrow – with strikes in each of his last three in all competition, the Spaniard is impossible to ignore.
Arsenal’s playmaker supreme Mesut Ozil is another player whose form makes him an obvious contender for this week’s Picks. With Theo Walcott injured and Aaron Ramsey a doubt, the German’s contribution will be crucial if the Gunners are to emerge from Wales with a result – four assists in two games attests to his instant impact on north London.
While the focus is on a certain Uruguayan for Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland, we’re opting for Victor Moses as a route into Brendan Rodgers’ side. The midweek Capital One Cup clash with United saw Liverpool line up in a 3-5-2 formation with Moses handed the role in “the hole” behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge – at just 6.3 in FPL, he’s already picked up double figures on his previous road trip for the Reds.
Rickie Lambert has struggled to find the net this term but we’re backing the Saints forward to deliver at home to Crystal Palace. The 7.5 priced forward has just one converted spot-kick to his name thus far but he could well be set to find form tomorrow – the Eagles have conceded twice in both away games so far and are without the influential Damien Delaney at the back for the St Mary’s match.
Goals in back-to-back league matches earn Wayne Rooney a spot in the Scout Picks once again. Rooney has been subject to a substantial bandwagon across the Fantasy games this week and seems to have rediscovered his hunger and self-belief under David Moyes after a poor last season – runaway leader of this week’s Captain Poll, he looks a big armband favourite for tomorrow’s home game with West Brom.
We were all set to roll out Sergio Aguero after his double in the Manchester derby but the Argentine’s omission from the City squad has slightly altered our plans. Instead, we give Alvaro Negredo his Scout Picks debut after a recent string of impressive displays – the Spaniard has quietly risen to fifth in the FPL forward standings and could be primed to pick up further returns against Paul Lambert’s unconvincing rearguard.
A home game against Cardiff sees Sascha Riether welcomed to the Picks squad this weekend. The Bluebirds have scored just once in the last three Gameweeks, suggesting a clean sheet for the Cottagers could be on the cards, while the right-back’s attacking intent harvested a goal and six assists in the season gone by.
Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic gets the nod as Norwich roll up to the Britannia. The Potters midfielder has provided an assist in each of the last two matches in all competitions and adds a real touch of class to Mark Hughes’ side – at 5.5 in FPL with an ownership under 1%, he’s a strong mid-price differential heading into tomorrow’s deadline.
Romelu Lukaku is also in our thoughts as Everton prepare to welcome Newcastle to Goodison. Emerging from the bench to grab the winner against West Ham last week, he looks poised for a first league start as the Toffees look to extend the last unbeaten record in the Premier League.
