Our midweek regular comes around again this evening as we give you a heads-up on our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. 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 the days progress.
For Gameweek 5, here’s a 22-man squad made up of those currently in our thinking…
Keepers
Petr Cech and Lukasz Fabianski are both in contention against a pair of opponents that have struggled to find the net in recent matches. The Arsenal stopper – who has earned a clean sheet in the last couple of Gameweeks – entertains Stoke at the Emirates, whilst Swansea’s Fabianski pays visit to a Watford side that hasn’t scored since the season opener at Everton.
Defenders
Two assists and a couple of clean sheets in the first four Gameweeks highlights Aaron Cresswell’s (5.5) potential at both ends of the pitch as West Ham welcome Newcastle to Upton Park.
Kyle Naughton (5.0) and Hector Bellerin (5.5) are identically price to respective team-mates Fabianski and Cech. Naughton has created seven chances for his team-mates – second for defenders so far – whilst Bellerin is our preferred Arsenal backline option due to doubts over the availability of both Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.
Aleksandar Kolarov is joint-top amongst defenders for key passes (eight) and has also fired seven attempts on goal. Should league leaders City concede at Palace for the first time this term, the Serbian’s raids down the left still offer us reason for optimism.
West Brom’s Craig Dawson (5.0) could be in line for a third clean sheet in four at home to Southampton, given that the Saints have drawn blanks in two of their previous three. Robert Huth’s (4.5) aerial threat from dead-ball situations is enough to get the nod as Leicester entertain Aston Villa.
Midfielders
Having netted for Chile in the international fortnight, we’re backing Alexis Sanchez to get his first points on the board at home to Stoke. The 11.0-priced wide man leads all midfielders for shots (20) and efforts in the box (15).
Fit-again Riyad Mahrez (6.1) is on the lookout for a fourth goal in five as Leicester welcome Villa’s porous defence to the King Power Stadium. Norwich’s Nathan Redmond has played a part in both his side’s home goals so far and looks key as Bournemouth roll up to Carrow Road.
Sunderland’s Jeremain Lens (6.5) also has to be considered for the visit of Spurs. One of the most consistent Fantasy performers around, he’s produced attacking returns in all four Gameweeks so far.
Dimitri Payet (7.6) has blanked in the last two but a home encounter with Newcastle affords the West Ham playmaker the perfect chance to get back amongst the points.
Swansea’s Andre Ayew looks a strong shout to continue his fine form away to Watford, whilst we’ve opted for Pedro (9.5) as our Chelsea midfielder of choice at Everton. Elsewhere, David Silva leads the way for assists (four) amongst all players and the City playmaker could wreak havoc against a Palace defence that seem incapable of keeping out opponents under Alan Pardew.
Forwards
After drawing blanks in the first couple of matches, Diafra Sakho looks to be finally finding his form. The West Ham frontman has bagged a goal and assist over the last two and looks a great mid-price option (6.5) for the visit of Newcastle.
The 6.1-priced Jamie Vardy has produced points in three of the first four and offers a consistent option for Leicester’s home match with Villa.
Bafetimbi Gomis’ goal-a-game record cannot be overlooked as Swansea travel to Vicarage Road, whilst Bournemouth’s four-goal Callum Wilson’s (5.7) is called up due to his form and record on the road – he’s scored more times away from home than any player in the top four tiers since the start of last season.
Palace’s obliging defence should afford Sergio Aguero the opportunity to address his recent two-match goal drought for City. We’re also considering Olivier Giroud – the Frenchman is likely to return for Arsenal’s home clash with Stoke after Theo Walcott failed to take his chance to impress away to Newcastle in the previous Gameweek.
The Community Champion
Last time out, the Community Champion, Limpar, beat the Scout Picks by the narrow margin of three points for the second Gameweek running. This now makes it (ahem) four-nil to the community thus far. Don’t get cocky.
A reminder that the community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season. Gameweek 1 Champion Fuzzy Warbles continues to lead the way with a 12-point victory.
The Scouts now take on Dre this week. Our new opponent, who is now in his ninth season, has five top 50,000 finishes to his name – his highest overall season rank was 7,834 in 2011/12.
