With just a few hours left until domestic action resumes, we roll out our thirteenth set of Scout Picks for the 2015/16 campaign. Reverting to a 3-5-2 formation, we double up on Palace, Southampton and Tottenham as all three sides prepare for home clashes in the upcoming round of fixtures.
David de Gea takes his place between the posts as United roll up to Watford in search of a fifth successive shut-out. With the Red Devils hampered by injuries up top, they’ll be looking to keep it tight against a Hornets outfit that have failed to score in four of their six fixtures at Vicarage Road.
Palace’s home clash with Sunderland on Monday evening brings Scott Dann into our starting XI. The centre-half notched his second goal of the season against Liverpool in the previous Gameweek and leads the way amongst defenders for efforts in the box (five) and attempts on target (three) in the last four rounds of fixtures. The Black Cats, meanwhile, have drawn blanks in three of their last four road trips, boosting Dann’s prospects of points at both ends of the pitch.
Passed fit by Ronald Koeman after sustaining a minor knee complaint during the recent internationals. Virgil van Dijk is added to our three-man defence as Southampton welcome Stoke to St Mary’s. The Dutchman has produced two goals in his last six league outings and has served up back-to-back shut-outs as the Saints host a Potters outfit that’s scored just once in the last three Gameweeks.
Eric Dier comes in for Spurs’ home encounter with West Ham. Priced at 5.2, he’s already notched twice and affords us an out-of-position option in the Tottenham double-pivot for Sunday’s clash at the Lane. Given that the Hammers are without Dimitri Payet, the home side could well continue the form that’s seen them concede just twice in the last five in front of their own fans.
We’ve opted against the consistent Mesut Ozil and instead plump for Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal head to West Brom. The reason for this is the Chilean’s goal threat on the road – he has fired 32 attempts on his travels, more than any player in the Premier League, and far superior to Ozil’s five shots away from the Emirates. Bearing in mind that the Baggies have conceded three goals in four of their six home outings, Sanchez’ owners will be hoping for a return to form after he blanked in each of the previous three.
Sadio Mane also comes in for Southampton’s home encounter with Stoke. The fact that the Senegal wide man was handed the full 90 minutes in the league match directly after the previous international break somewhat reassures us, and with Jay Rodriguez ruled out and Shane long just back from injury, we’re backing Ronald Koeman to unleash Mane from the off.
Kevin de Bruyne is our City pick for the visit of Liverpool. Although Sergio Aguero has been passed fit to feature, there are still some concerns over his minutes against the Merseysiders after weeks on the sidelines through injury. De Bruyne has produced points in all four of his home appearances so far, making him a consistent alternative to the Argentine for tomorrow evening’s Etihad clash.
With doubts continuing to hover over Jamie Vardy’s availability, we’re playing it safe and turn to Riyad Mahrez as our source of Leicester coverage for the trip to St James’ Park. The Algerian has produced returns in eight of his 11 league outings and will fancy his chances of further points against a Magpies side with one clean sheet in front of their own fans.
Yannick Bolasie completes our five-man midfield for Palace’s home clash with Sunderland. Two goals in his last five indicates an upturn in form for the 6.1-priced Palace wide man, who also netted twice for DR Congo over the recent international break. Although the return of Connor Wickham should see Bolasie move to the flank, we still reckon he’ll be too much for a defence that leaked six goals at Everton in their previous away match.
Leader of this week’s Captain Poll, Romelu Lukaku welcomes struggling Aston Villa to Goodison in fine form. The Belgian registered a 14-point haul in his previous home appearance and with five strikes and three assists in the last six, will be looking to breach a backline that has conceded at least twice in each of their previous five road trips.
Harry Kane welcomes West Ham to the Lane on the back of five goals in the last three Gameweeks. The Spurs centre-forward has fired more shots on target (11) than any striker in the previous four rounds of matches and now faces a Hammers defence that have failed to keep out their opponents in the last seven.
Seamus Coleman warms the bench for Everton’s match with Villa. With just one assist to his name, the Toffees right-back has struggled for attacking returns, though Villa’s record of two goals in the last five suggests Roberto Martinez’ team could be in line for a first clean sheet in seven attempts.
Newcastle’s Georginio Wijnaldum is also called upon. All six of the Dutchman’s strikes have arrived at St James’ this season, whilst weekend visitors Leicester have yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels.
Arsenal’s trip to West Brom affords Olivier Giroud a place in our 15-man squad. The Frenchman has registered more shots inside the box (16) than any player in the last four Gameweeks and has scored in each of his previous three away appearances.
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.
Gameweek 12’s community champion Prophet failed to defeat the Scout Picks, as we clinched victory by 48 points to 32. Massive stays in the lead to claim the £100 Amazon voucher, though, after beating us by 16 points in Gameweek 6.
Gameweek 13’s Community Champion as selected by our lottery, is Jossy. His selection is as follows: Hennessey, Bellerin, Rose, Van Dijk, Sanchez, Mane, Deulofeu, Mahrez, Bolasie, Kane, Lukaku.
