We’re back with another set of Scout Picks for your consideration. This time around we plunder Tottenham, United and City for a couple of players apiece, whilst Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge supplies us with two of this season’s most explosive Fantasy talents as Chelsea go head-to-head with Liverpool:
We opt for Hugo Lloris between the sticks as Tottenham prepare for the visit of under-strength Stoke. The Potters roll up to the Lane with suspensions and injury concerns blighting Mark Hughes’ plans and, with a single goal scored in their last three road trips, they could be set to hand Spurs the chance of a first clean sheet in nine attempts.
A home clash against Southampton ensures Seamus Coleman keeps his spot in the Scout Picks. The Everton full-back remains the defender most likely to rack up the points up both ends of the pitch – Coleman has accrued four goals so far, double the tally of any other backline option, suggesting his attacking potential is worthy of a place alone, should the Toffees fail to register a ninth clean sheet against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
City’s home game with Crystal Palace brings Vincent Kompany into our thinking. The Belgian has now scored in each of the last two Gameweeks to signpost his current form in the opposition box, whilst the hosts will be confident of a return to the form that produced three successive Etihad shut-outs prior to the visits of Arsenal and Liverpool.
Steven Caulker gets the nod as Cardiff prepare for the visit of Sunderland. The Black Cats have been woeful on the road, scoring just once (via the spot) in their last six road trips, whilst Caulker’s eye for goal has already come to fruition twice this term for the Bluebirds.
With two-goal salvos in each of his last couple of away games, Theo Walcott is in red-hot form right now as Arsenal head to Newcastle. Finally fully fit, the Gunners winger is looking vital to his side’s title chances at a time when Olivier Giroud toils for goals and Aaron Ramsey sits injured on the sidelines – given that the Magpies have conceded in each of their last four at home, Walcott’s growing band of owners will be confident of another haul.
Yaya Toure is our City midfielder of choice for the home clash with Palace. The Ivorian has scored or assisted in all but one of his nine Etihad appearances and, whilst Manuel Pellegrini could turn to Jesus Navas to protect David Silva from the possibility of a fifth caution and subsequent one-match ban, Toure has no such troubles and looks set for another 90-minute appearance against the Eagles.
Eden Hazard is the first of two selections for Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool at the Bridge. The Belgian highlighted just how crucial he is to the Blues’ cause by bagging the only goal of the Boxing Day home win over Swansea and is likely to give Glen Johnson a torrid time this Sunday as Jose Mourinho’s side look for the win that would lift them four points above their visitors.
With Antonio Valencia suspended and Nani sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Adnan Januzaj looks set to return to United’s XI for the trip to Norwich. The youngster is still being tentatively utilised by David Moyes but has already notched three times for the champions and could be set to pick up the points once more, having produced a goal and assist over his last two starts.
He may have served up a rare blank at City on Thursday evening but we’re backing Luis Suarez to return to goalscoring form against Chelsea at the Bridge. Jose Mourinho’s side have a single clean sheet in the last six in front of their own fans – conceding twice to West Brom and once to Palace – suggesting they may be hard-pushed to rein in the Uruguayan Fantasy phenomenon on Sunday afternoon.
Wayne Rooney rolls up to Norwich on the back of yet another stand-out Fantasy display. Despite being shifted to a more withdrawn role in recent matches, Rooney is still picking up the points regardless – he’s now delivered four sets of double figures in his last five road trips and will fancy his chances of extending that streak against a Norwich side that have just lost to Fulham at Carrow Road.
We also draft in Emmanuel Adebayor for Tottenham’s clash with Stoke. The Potters are reeling from the news that Asmir Begovic is out for up to six weeks and, with Robert Huth still sidelined with a knee problem, the Togo international will be confident of maintaining a streak which has produced three goals in three starts in all competitions under Tim Sherwood.
James Chester warms the bench for Hull’s home game with Fulham. The Tigers have already racked up five clean sheets in front of their own fans this term, whilst Chester’s eye for goal was highlighted in Thursday’s narrow loss to United.
Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham gets the nod for a home clash against Sunderland this weekend. The Bluebirds will be desperate to recover from their Boxing Day defeat at the hands of Southampton and the subsequent sacking of Malky Mackay – their playmaker’s creative endeavours will be key to breaching a backline that has now registered three successive clean sheets under Gus Poyet.
Romelu Lukaku retains his place in the Picks for Everton’s home game with Southampton. Yes, he’s failed to score in the last five but the Belgian is still registering plenty of attempts on goal and remains a real threat as Roberto Martinez’ side look to bounce back from Thursday’s shock home loss to Sunderland.
