As Mark mentioned yesterday, the new tweaks to our Scout Picks selection process means that every Tuesday, we’ll be rolling out a squad of players that encompass many of the ongoing debates behind the scenes. This list of players also includes some names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article, though will, of course, be subject to change, depending on the injury situation as each week progresses.
For Gameweek 1, though, here’s our current thinking…
Goalkeepers
Leicester’s home clash with Sunderland brings both Kasper Schmeichel and Costel Pantilimon onto our radar. The Foxes racked up five clean sheets in their last seven in 2014/15 and with new manager Claudio Ranieri keeping faith in a 3-4-1-2 set-up, they’ll be hoping for continuity against a Black Cats side that scored just 15 times on their travels last term. Pantilimon’s average of 4.4 points per appearance looks set to be boosted further by the changes to the BPS which reward saves, whilst Sunderland’s record on the road last year (six clean sheets, as opposed to five at home) indicates they can shut up shop away from the Stadium of Light. Bournemouth’s Artur Boruc is another name being bandied about, given that visitors Villa scored 13 away goals over 2014/15 – fewer than any other side.
Defenders
We have dilemmas in the Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton defences ahead of their home clashes. Laurent Koscielny is pricier than Hector Bellerin (6.0 to 5.5) and should benefit from the change to the BPS rules on Clearances, Blocks and Interceptions, though Bellerin seems to have edged ahead of Mathieu Debuchy for the right-back berth and surely did enough against Chelsea to maintain his role for the visit of West Ham on Sunday.
Branislav Ivanovic’s attacking potential may well bring him into the Picks ahead of team-mate Cesar Azplicueta, though the latter’s price of 6.0, compared to the Serbian’s 7.0, obviously helps free up cash for further up the field.
Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman entertain Watford at Goodison before the schedule turns against Everton. Jagielka remains cheaper than the right-back, at 5.5 to 6.0, and, like Koscielny, will be favoured by the BPS change, though Coleman’s raids down the right will surely trouble the Hornets.
Simon Francis and Leandro Bacuna also come into contention ahead of Bournemouth’s home encounter with Villa. At 4.5, Francis produced more key passes than any defender in the Championship last year, whilst Bacuna (5.0) has been stationed on the right of midfield over the pre-season, potentially affording us an out-of-position option at the back.
Midfielders
In the centre of the park, a number of premium assets are jostling for our attention. For Arsenal, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil are the chief protagonists. Walcott’s start up front in the Community Shield suggests he’s edged ahead of Olivier Giroud for the lone striker role, though his withdrawal on 66 minutes at Wembley is a worry. Ozil, meanwhile, was arguably the most in-form Arsenal player over the summer and looks nailed on, regardless.
Eden Hazard – leader of this week’s Captain Poll – looks the safest route into Chelsea’s attack, with concerns once again hovering over Diego Costa’s hamstring. City duo Raheem Sterling and David Silva have both shone in pre-season and with doubts over Sergio Aguero’s availability, the City midfield may be the best option here. Southampton’s Sadio Mane was second only to Alexis Sanchez for minutes per goal amongst midfielders last year and could easily run riot against Newcastle’s dodgy defence on Sunday.
Further down the price bracket, Matt Ritchie (15 goals, 17 assists last year) faces a Villa side that conceded more than two goals per match under Tim Sherwood, whilst Scott Sinclair and Riyad Mahrez have both impressed in recent pre-season outings and come in at just 5.0 and 5.5 respectively. Concerns over the fitness of Yohan Cabaye and Yannick Bolasie elevate Jason Puncheon in our thinking for Palace’s trip to Carrow Road.
Forwards
At present, we’re going without Sergio Aguero unless he’s passed fit by Manuel Pellegrini on Friday afternoon. Diego Costa’s hamstring is causing concern – the Spain international was passed fit by Jose Mourinho prior to Sunday’s Community Shield only to be ruled out injured on the day. Costa scored five goals against weekend opponents Swansea last year, though, so we’re keeping an eye on Mourinho’s press briefing before making any decisions here.
Wayne Rooney is set to lead the line for United at home to Spurs. Second only to Hazard in the Captain Poll, he seems a safer option for the Red Devils, with new boy Memphis Depay perhaps taking time to settle. Romelu Lukaku looks poised to recover from a hamstring problem as the Toffees welcome Watford to Goodison and, like Graziano Pelle, comes in at 8.0. The duo have scored ten times between them in pre-season, with the Italian leading the way by six strikes to four. Finally, Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson – at just 5.5 – is our preferred budget forward and his pace should pose Villa’s dodgy defence problems aplenty.
Community Champion
Representing the Community in Gameweek 1 will be regular poster Fuzzy Warbles, who is now in his sixth FPL season. Although he has never breached the top 10,000 he came mighty close in 2010/11 with a rank of 10,085. Last season saw a return to form with a rank of 24,104, some 50,000 places higher than his 2013/14 tally.
