It’s less than 48 hours since the previous Gameweek concluded but already our attentions are firmly fixed on tomorrow’s deadline. Arsenal and United supply our Scout Picks XI with a couple of players apiece, whilst we opt for just one player from Monday evening’s Etihad showdown between City and Chelsea as Fantasy managers reel from yet another injury to Sergio Aguero:
Adrian makes his Scout Picks debut as West Ham prepare to welcome Swansea to Upton Park. Having defied Chelsea at the Bridge time and again on Wednesday evening, the 4.3-priced Spaniard looks to have cemented the number one jersey for the Hammers and, bearing in mind the Swans have netted once in their last three road trips, is a strong shout for a clean sheet.
Cardiff’s home clash with Norwich brings Steven Caulker into consideration. The Canaries have scored just three times in the last seven Gameweeks, boosting the Bluebirds’ chances of a clean sheet, and the big centre-half’s aerial threat from set-pieces and corners has already helped him notch twice this term.
With a single goal conceded in the last seven at the Emirates, Per Mertesacker’s owners will be confident of further defensive returns as the Gunners entertain Palace on Sunday. The big German’s eye for goal has already served up a couple of double-figure hauls in front of his own fans, whilst his propensity for picking up bonus merely strengthens his appeal for the Eagles’ showdown.
Patrice Evra gets the nod as United make their way to Stoke. David Moyes’ side have tightened up in recent matches and picked up three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks – if the Potters find the net, though, Evra’s attacking potential (a goal and three assists so far) could help him pick up the points as the visitors go in search of a vital victory.
A home game with Villa brings Kevin Mirallas into the Scout Picks. With Romelu Lukaku and Lacina Traore both injured, the Belgian looks poised to lead the line for Everton tomorrow afternoon – Mirallas has notched in two of the last three Gameweeks and squares up to a defence that has mustered a single clean sheet in the last 10 league matches.
Christian Eriksen has been one of the most consistent midfield options around in recent matches. Tottenham’s summer signing has flourished under Tim Sherwood and has provided a goal or assist in five of the last six Gameweeks – at 7.3, he remains a solid mid-price option ahead of Spurs’ trip to Hull.
Four goals in his last five in all competitions sums up Santi Cazorla’s upturn in Fantasy potential. The Arsenal midfielder had struggled to replicate the form that took the Premier League by storm last time around but, after a below-par first few months of the season, looks a key player for the Gunners once again as Palace roll up to the Emirates.
Yaya Toure’s outstanding home consistency could prove decisive for City against Chelsea on Monday evening. The Ivorian has scored or assisted in nine of his 10 appearances at the Etihad and, with Sergio Aguero now sidelined, he looks first in line for spot-kicks, as well as set-pieces, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side look for the win that would take them six points clear of their opponents.
Liverpool’s trip to the Hawthorns will hold no fear for Luis Suarez. The Baggies’ backline have just shipped four to Villa in midweek and, bearing in mind the Reds have hit Spurs and Stoke for five over their last four away games, Suarez – yet again the runaway leader of this Gameweek’s Captain Poll – looks on course for his eleventh double-figure haul of the season.
Handed 63 minutes against Cardiff on Tuesday evening, Robin van Persie was immediately back amongst the goals. David Moyes admitted earlier today that he will continue to “be careful” with the Dutchman and Wayne Rooney after both returned from injury – he may not get the full 90 minutes, then, but van Persie’s predatory instincts will require little time to produce against a Stoke defence that conceded five to Liverpool in their previous home match.
Jay Rodriguez’ away form earns him a spot in our front three. The Southampton forward has scored six times in his last seven road trips and, with a visit to struggling Fulham on his agenda, looks poised to continue his impressive showings outside of St Mary’s.
Jose Fonte warms the bench as Southampton travel to Fulham. The big centre-half grabbed his second goal of the season against Arsenal in midweek and, with Victor Wanyama potentially set to start in front of the back-four, the Saints will be confident of keeping out a Cottagers attack that has scored once in the last three.
With Yohan Cabaye no more than a distant memory, the stage looks set for Hatem Ben Arfa to grab the mantle of Newcastle talisman with both hands. Having impressed against in Norwich, the Frenchman has the perfect chance to further endear himself to the Magpies fans this weekend as Alan Pardew’s side look to get one over bitter rivals Sunderland in tomorrow lunchtime’s Tyne-Wear derby.
With a goal in each of his last three, Christian Benteke is perhaps a little unlucky only to make the bench here. Ahead of Villa’s trip to Everton, his chances of notching again were handed a boost with the news that Seamus Coleman and Sylvain Distin are both still absent from the Toffees back-four for the Goodison encounter.
