Scout Picks – Gameweek 14

We revert to a 3-4-3 formation this weekend but choose to overlook Sergio Aguero for City’s home clash with Southampton. Stoke and Liverpool supply us with a couple of players apiece, whilst Jamie Vardy warms the bench as we turn to Everton and Tottenham’s in-form frontmen to lead the line instead.

Jack Butland is selected between the posts for Stoke’s trip to Sunderland. The Potters have racked up five clean sheets in six, whilst Butland sits second amongst keepers for saves so far, suggesting he could still pick up points if the Black Cats find a way past Mark Hughes’ resilient back-four.

Alberto Moreno earns the nod as Liverpool welcome Swansea to Anfield. The left-back has yet to produce any attacking points under Jurgen Klopp but it’s not for a lack of trying – since the German was appointed in Gameweek 9, Moreno sits joint-top for shots (six) and second for key passes (seven) amongst defenders.

We’re keeping faith in Scott Dann despite his disappointing display in Palace’s home loss to Sunderland on Monday evening. The centre-half – who sits second amongst defenders for efforts in the area over the last four – now hosts a Newcastle side that have scored just twice on their travels, suggesting he could atone for his one-point haul against the Black Cats.

West Ham’s raiding left-back Aaron Cresswell has created more chances (nine) than any defender over the last four Gameweeks ahead of a home encounter with West Brom. Given that the Baggies have netted just three times away from the Hawthorns, the Hammers could be in line for a first clean sheet in nine attempts.

We overlook Alexis Sanchez and call upon the consistent Mesut Ozil as Arsenal make their way to Norwich. The German has contributed to nine of his side’s 13 strikes over the last six Gameweeks, courtesy of a goal and eight assists, and will surely play a pivotal part against a defence that have kept out their opponents just once all season.

With no space for Sergio Aguero up front in this week’s Picks, we’re turning to Kevin de Bruyne instead as City welcome Southampton to the Etihad. Granted, the Belgian has struggled for form in recent matches but it’s worth noting that last week’s blank against Liverpool was the first time in five home outings that the summer signing has failed to pick up points in front of his own fans.

Roberto Firmino is our Liverpool midfielder of choice for Sunday’s home encounter against a Swansea side with one clean sheet in the last 11 Gameweeks. With doubts still hovering over Philippe Coutinho’s fitness, we turn to his compatriot on the back of a goal and two assists against City last time out. Given that Jurgen Klopp admitted earlier today he was uncertain whether Christian Benteke “is able to play two games in three days”, Firmino could be set for the central role up front once again.

Jon Walters comes in for Stoke’s trip to a Sunderland outfit with just one clean sheet at the Stadium of Light. Handed a role up front by Mark Hughes in Gameweek 11, the Republic of Ireland has fired eight shots inside the box over that period – that’s double the number of Alexis Sanchez, for example, and second amongst midfielders.

Romelu Lukaku is a nailed-on option as Everton roll up to struggling Bournemouth. Top of our weekly Captain Poll once again, the big Belgian has racked up four goals and a pair of assists in the last three and has already served up double-figure hauls away to the likes of West Brom and Southampton. Given that the Cherries have one clean sheet all season, Roberto Martinez’ men look poised for another successful afternoon.

Harry Kane cannot be overlooked for Spurs’ home encounter with Chelsea. The frontman has delivered seven goals in his last four and netted in last night’s Europa League victory, underlining his outstanding return to form after a slow start to the season. Kane bagged two goals and a pair of assists in the corresponding fixture last year and will fancy his chances against a defence that’s conceded at least twice in five of their six road trips.

Watford’s Odion Ighalo looks well-placed to take advantage of basement-dwellers Aston Villa this weekend. With four goals and two assists in six away matches so far, the Nigerian could be in line to plunder the points against Remi Garde’s out-of-sorts side.

Hector Bellerin makes the bench as Arsenal head to Norwich. The right-back has produced two assists and a pair of clean sheets in his last four away appearances, underlining his potential for points at both ends of the pitch.

After being selected for last week’s Spot the Differential article, Joshua King makes the step up to the Scout Picks bench this week. Bournemouth’s out-of-position midfielder grabbed his first goal of the season last week and hosts an Everton defence with a single clean sheet in seven.

Jamie Vardy is somewhat unfortunate only to make the bench. A home match against United’s defence is no easy task as he looks to score for the eleventh successive league appearance but, having picked up points against the likes of Spurs and Arsenal at the King Power, he’ll be fired up in his attempt to break Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record.

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 13’s community champion Jossy narrowly lost to the Scout Picks by 48 points to 49. Massive stays in the lead to claim the £100 Amazon voucher, then, after beating us by 16 points in Gameweek 6.

Gameweek 14’s Community Champion, as selected by our lottery, is Trust John. His selection is as follows: Hennessey; Van Aanholt, Moreno, Cresswell, Bolasie, Sanchez, Ritchie, Firmino, Lukaku, Aguero, Ighalo.