Scout Picks – Gameweek 7

It’s time for our seventh set of Picks for the 2015/16 this evening. We double up on Chelsea, United and City, though overlook a certain Argentine as we roll out the big hitters in a five-man midfield.

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.

At a price of 5.4, David de Gea offers the cheapest route into United’s defence for the home encounter with Sunderland. The Black Cats have failed to score in each of their last two now, whilst the Spaniard’s six saves at Southampton last weekend highlight his points potential should the Red Devils concede.

Aleksandar Kolarov’s prospects at both ends of the pitch ensures he remains in our Scout Picks defence. With a goal, five clean sheets and ten bonus points already accrued, the Serbian pays visit to a Tottenham side that have scored just three times in the http://www.fantasyleague.com/Classic/Team/Transfers.aspx?teamid=14866#last four Gameweeks.

Rested for Chelsea’s midweek cup trip to Walsall, we’re backing Kurt Zouma to earn a fifth straight league start away to Newcastle this weekend. Having racked up a 15-point haul in the previous Gameweek, the youngster could be set to deliver yet again, given that the Magpies have managed a single goal in the last five rounds of fixtures.

Jonny Evans comes in for West Brom’s home encounter against Everton. The Baggies will fancy their chances of a fifth clean sheet in six, given that Roberto Martinez’ men have failed to score in all but one of the last four. Evans earned two bonus points in his second start for the Baggies in last week’s 1-0 win over Villa, whereas Craig Dawson has yet to earn a single bonus point, despite playing every minute of the season so far.

The Premier League’s form player, Riyad Mahrez, is called upon once again as Leicester entertain Arsenal. With five double-figure hauls in six appearances, the Algerian will be looking to breach a backline that’s managed one shut-out (away to Newcastle) on their travels so far.

Dimitri Payet is also in contention as West Ham welcome Norwich to Upton Park. The Frenchman has scored three of his side’s six home goals so far and up against a defence that’s yet to keep a clean sheet, looks a strong shout to continue the form that sees him sit second in the FPL midfield standings behind Mahrez.

We’re keeping faith in Alexis Sanchez for the trip to Leicester. The Chilean has fired more shots (31) and efforts in the box (22) than any midfielder this season and squares up to a defence that’s conceded four goals to Villa and Stoke in the last two Gamweweeks.

After opening his account against Arsenal last weekend, we’re backing Eden Hazard to carry Chelsea’s main goal threat in the absence of the suspended Diego Costa. Jose Mourinho’s men have racked up ten goals in their last three fixtures in all competitions and look set to maintain their momentum against a Magpies side that’s picked up one point in five and has just lost at home to Sheffield Wednesday in the cup.

Man City’s form midfielder Kevin de Bruyne earns his Scout Picks debut for the trip to Tottenham. The Belgian has scored in both his first two starts for Manuel Pellegrini’s men and also chipped in with an assist at Sunderland in midweek – at 10.0, he’s far kinder on the budget than Sergio Aguero and his acquisition allows us to call upon Hazard and Sanchez in a five-man midfield.

Up front, we’ve gone for form. United’s Anthony Martial has now scored four times in three domestic outings and goes head-to-head with a Black Cats backline that’s been breached 13 times already and sits second-worst for shots conceded inside the box (64).

Watford’s Odion Ighalo partners Martial after also scoring twice in the previous Gameweek. Still priced at just 5.1, the Nigerian has netted four of his side’s five strikes this term and is up against a Palace defence without a clean sheet to their name so far.

On the bench, we’ve opted for Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel as our defender of choice. With uncertainty still surrounding some of Brendan Rodgers’ backline, the Slovakian’s security of starts and penchant for picking up bonus points earns him the nod.

Southampton’s Sadio Mane is a man in form ahead of the home clash against Swansea. The Senegal international – who netted twice in the midweek cup win at MK Dons – has returned 20 points over his last two league starts and has played a part in four of the Saints’ last five top-flight goals.

An injury to Christian Benteke brings Danny Ings onto the bench. With Daniel Sturridge expected to have his minutes somewhat restricted again, Ings – available for just 7.1 – seems likely to play from start to finish as he looks to score for the third successive match in all competitions.

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 week saw Massive beat us by 16 points and he now leaps above previous Community Champion Fuzzy Warbles in the race to claim a £100 Amazon voucher for beating the Scouts by the biggest margin.

This week’s Community champions is The Blue of Leicester – this is his seventh season and he has two top 5,000 finishes under his belt in FPL.

He’s picked just five of the same starting XI for the weekend and opted for the following side: Myhill, Cathcart, Evans, Smalling, Sanchez, Coutinho, Mata, Payet, Ighalo, Aguero, Martial.