With the first international break of the season now behind us, we return to domestic matters with the fifth set of Scout Picks of 2015/16. Arsenal, City and Swansea supply us with a couple of players apiece, whilst we’re also backing a pair of Hammers as Slaven Bilic’s side look to build on the previous Gameweek’s morale-boosting win at Anfield.
For the start of the season, the budget for the Scout Picks and Community XI is capped at 82.5m, though this will be increased as the campaign progresses.
We’re backing Petr Cech to earn a third successive clean sheet as Arsenal welcome Stoke to the Emirates. Having scored just three goals so far this season, Mark Hughes’s men also have concerns over the availability of Mame Biram Diouf and will find it tough to break down a defence that’s been quick to tighten up after conceding three times to West Ham and Palace in the opening two Gameweeks.
All three of our defenders have already earned points at both ends of the pitch. With Gael Clichy still sidelined through injury, Aleksandar Kolarov is set to start for City’s trip to Palace – the Serbian has already grabbed a goal and is joint-top amongst defenders for shots (seven) and key passes (eight) so far. Should the league leaders concede for the first time this term, then, the underlying stats suggest there’s still plenty of reason for optimism.
Aaron Cresswell has served up two assists and a pair of clean sheets in the first four. At 5.5, the West Ham left-back hosts a Newcastle side that’s registered fewer shots (21) and efforts in the box (13) than any side so far.
Swansea’s Kyle Naughton is joint-top with Kolarov for chances created in defence. At 5.0, his raids down the flank have already produced an assist and four bonus points, helping him earn the nod over team-mate Ashley Williams as Garry Monk’s men visit a Watford side without a goal since Gameweek 1.
With more shots (20) and efforts in the box (15) than any midfielder so far, it seems only a matter of time before Alexis Sanchez explodes into form. After scoring Chile’s winner against Paraguay over the international break, he’ll be filled with confidence against a visiting Stoke defence that have allowed their opponents ten big chances already – the second-worst record of any side.
Pedro’s explosive start to life at Stamford Bridge earns the former Barcelona man a place in our XI. Whilst Eden Hazard continues to toil, the Spaniard has had a hand in three of Chelsea’s four goals since making his debut and looks in fine form for the trip to Everton.
After recovering from the back problem that forced him off at Bournemouth, Riyad Mahrez chipped in with an assist for Algeria over the recent internationals. The winger has racked up three goals and six bonus points in his two home appearances so far and now plays host to a Villa side that’s conceded twice in each of the last two Gameweeks.
Nacer Chadli takes the final midfield slot as Spurs make their way to Sunderland. The Belgian has played a part in two of his side’s three strikes so far (one goal, one assist) and with Dick Advocaat’s side conceding more shots in the box (49) and goals (ten) than any team, the visitors could be set for a first win of the season.
Three goals and four assists in Argentina’s recent internationals suggests Sergio Aguero is fast-approaching top form once again. The City frontman has toiled domestically, with just one goal so far, but bearing in mind Palace have just two clean sheets in 22 matches under Alan Pardew, it’s perhaps little wonder he’s a clear favourite in this week’s Captain Poll.
A goal and assist in the last two Gameweeks highlights Diafra Sakho’s improving form. Coming in at 6.5, we’re opting for the Hammers striker over pricier team-mate Dimitri Payet for Monday’s home clash with Newcastle – only City have scored more times (ten to nine) than the Upton Park outfit in the first four Gameweeks.
Swansea’s in-form Bafetimbi Gomis comes in for the trip to Watford. Having scored twice against both Chelsea and United, Garry Monk’s men will fancy their chances of getting amongst the goals yet again and with strikes in all four of his appearances so far, the Frenchman cannot be ignored.
United’s Luke Shaw warms the bench for tomorrow evening’s home clash against Liverpool. Given that the Merseysiders have netted just twice and are devoid of Philippe Coutinho, Louis van Gaal’s men could be set for a fourth clean sheet in five, whilst Shaw’s raids down the left have already served up an assist for the Old Trafford outfit.
Swansea midfielder Andre Ayew is unlucky only to make the bench. The Barclays Premier League Player of the Month for August has chipped in with three goals and an assist already and, like team-mate Gomis, has also struck against Chelsea and United ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road.
Bournemouth’s visit to Carrow Road brings Callum Wilson into contention. As mentioned previously, since the start of last season, no player in England’s top four league’s has scored more goals on their travels than the Cherries frontman – as evidenced by his hat-trick at West Ham, Wilson’s movement and pace on the counter is arguably more suited to playing away from home.
THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Having scrapped the weekly vote idea from last season, we now operate a lottery system to pick our weekly candidates. 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.
Last time out, Limpar beat us by a three-point margin, though Fuzzy Warbles still leads the way with a 12-point advantage gained in Gameweek 1.
This week’s champion is Dre, whose team consists of just four of this week’s Picks – Randolph, Alderweireld, Williams, Naughton, Pedro, Lanzini, Sterling, Sanchez, Kane, Aguero, Wilson.
