Next up this Tuesday evening, we roll out an early heads-up on our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. This list of 22 players will also include 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 unfolds over the next 24 hours or so.
For Gameweek 23, here’s the players currently on our radar…
Goalkeepers
Pitched at 5.6, David De Gea serves as the cheapest viable way to capitalise on a Manchester United defence that ranks top for clean sheets (seven) in front of their own fans. Up next, the Red Devils welcome a Southampton side that has scored just twice in their last four away matches.
Heurelho Gomes (4.8) offers strong shut-out prospects as Watford prepare to host a Newcastle outfit that have netted just four times in their previous six road trips.
Defenders
Following a string of six blanks on his return from injury, Leighton Baines (6.1) bagged a brace of assists last time out against Chelsea. The left-back now entertains a Swansea side that have scored just twice in their last five road trips, suggesting the Toffees could be in line for a third clean sheet in six this weekend.
In spite of the fact that Sunderland are without a clean sheet since Gameweek 14, Patrick van Aanholt’s form (three goals and one assist in three) is impossible to ignore. The Netherlands international ranks top among all defenders for goals (four) and could profit from a rare shut-out when Bournemouth – who failed to score in their previous two away fixtures – roll up at the Stadium of Light.
We’re opting for Christian Fuchs (4.7) as the choice route into a Leicester rearguard that’s tallied three clean sheets in their last four outings. Visitors Stoke have failed to find the net in three of their last six away matches, whilst Fuchs’ share of dead-ball duties have helped him create six chances over the last four Gameweeks – that’s second amongst defenders.
Liverpool are next pitted against a Norwich City side that’s amassed just four goals over the last five Gameweeks, bringing Alberto Moreno (4.9) onto our radar. The ex-Sevilla recruit lays claim to a solitary assist since Gameweek 6 but remains the most forward-thinking option in the Reds’ backline – over the last four Gameweeks, he sits first for key passes (seven) and second for attempts on goal (seven) amongst defenders.
By virtue of his potency from set pieces (two goals), Craig Dawson represents the prime West Bromwich Albion defender prior to a home clash against Aston villa, who’ve notched just three goals since Gameweek 19.
In the battle for supremacy among Spurs’ defenders ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace, Toby Alderweireld (6.2) gets the nod over Eric Dier due to his far superior goal threat – the Belgian has sits top amongst defenders for both shots (eight) and efforts in the box (six) in the last four Gameweeks.
Staying within North London, Hector Bellerin’s (6.1) propensity for lung-busting runs down the right flank puts him top of Arsenal’s pecking order before a home tie against Chelsea.
Midfielders
Ross Barkley (7.3) carded blanks in his last three starts but is afforded a great opportunity to get back on track when Everton invite Swansea to Goodison Park. The fleet-footed midfielder has registered a trio of assists in as many home fixtures and will relish the chance to tackle a Swans defence that’s shipped six goals in three.
Deployed as a false nine in Liverpool’s last two league match-ups, Roberto Firmino (7.8) offers an out-of-position candidate as the spearhead of their attack for the trip to Carrow Road. The Brazil international demonstrated his explosive potential by racking up double-figure hauls against the likes of City and Arsenal and will fancy his chances against a defence with just three clean sheets to their name.
Adam Johnson (5.8) has been quietly excellent for Sunderland of late, racking up four assist in the last three Gameweeks. The Black Cats offense found its rhythm over that stretch – putting eight past, Villa, Swansea, and Tottenham Hotspur – so we’re eyeing up the forgotten winger as an intriguing differential for the Cherries’ visit.
Mesut Ozil (10.0) – who’s drawn just three blanks since Gameweek 7 – sat out Arsenal’s road clash against Stoke but is expected to be passed fit for the London derby.
Notwithstanding Christian Eriksen’s flourish last Gameweek, Dele Alli (5.5) represents the prime source of Spurs attacking coverage beyond their main man, Harry Kane.
Dimitri Payet (8.0) produced a goal and an assist against Bournemouth in his first start since Gameweek 12, underlining his manifest qualities as West Ham endeavour to do the double over Man City.
Riyad Mahrez (7.2) hasn’t troubled the scoreboard for four Gameweeks but possesses the spark to undermine the Potters’ impressive defence.
Forwards
In the wake of Sergio Aguero’s two goals and assist against Palace, the 13.3-priced forward has already been snapped up by 80,000 Fantasy managers, ranking second – behind Georginio Wijnaldum (89,000) – with regards to transfers in. Now that he’s rediscovered his groove, Aguero is more than capable of punishing a Hammers unit that managed one clean sheet in their previous quintet of fixtures.
Olivier Giroud (9.2) has successfully fought off Theo Walcott’s claim to the lone-striker berth this campaign, accruing eight goals and two assists since Gameweek 10. Sitting at just 16% ownership, the Gunners’ premier marksman arguably deserves more attention as Arsenal host a Chelsea side that’s just shipped five goals to West Brom and Everton in their last two matches.
Two consecutive blanks does little to dull our enthusiasm in Romelu Lukaku (9.2) ahead of a tantalising home clash against the Swans. Currently sitting second in this week’s Captain Poll, the Belgian has produced points in each of his last six at Goodison.
Elsewhere, Jamie Vardy (7.3) is in the midst of a six-match goal-drought but came within inches of snapping that streak against the Villains.
Harry Kane (10.0) will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing an Eagles rearguard that was breached eight times across the last three Gameweeks.
Odion Ighalo (6.4) came up short in his previous trio of outings but should be afforded his fair share of chances against the Toon’s inconsistent defence.
On Standby
As for those players who could yet receive a call to action, Christian Eriksen (8.3) posted his joint-best score (15) of the season against Sunderland and places second among midfielders for shots on target (six) over the last four Gameweeks.
Jeremain Lens (6.0) and Jermain Defoe (5.1) serve as alluring routes into the Wearsiders’ form attack. The former scored two goals in five outings earlier in the season, while the latter has chalked up five goals in his past three starts.
In the mid-priced forward bracket, Aleksandar Mitrovic (6.2) and Benik Afobe (6.1) court our attention. Newcastle’s combative hitman ranked top among forwards for shots inside the box (15) and shots on target (eight) over the last four Gameweeks, while the Cherries’ new signing required just two starts to bag his debut goal.
With two penalty goals, an assist, three clean sheets and eight bonus points in six starts, Charlie Daniels (4.5) has established himself as one of the top budget defenders. In addition, only four counterparts have tallied more key passes (four) since Gameweek 19.
The Community Champions
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. Red Devil leads the way after beating the Picks by 25 points in Gameweek 17.
Gameweek 22’s Community Champion FantasyFootballFrog beat us by 62 points to 55. Gameweek 23’s Community Champion, as selected by our lottery, is FrankietheGent. He is in his tenth FPL season with 2011/12’s overall ranking of 17,915 his best finish.
In addition to a shot at the £100 Amazon prize, FantasyBet are offering a chance for further prizes to Community Champions that are eligible to play their games. More details can be found here.
