Up next this 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 few days.

Here’s the cast currently under consideration for Gameweek 26….

Goalkeepers

Since Fraser Forster returned between the sticks at Southampton, they’ve recorded five clean sheets in as many outings. Pitched at 4.9, the English shot-stopper next faces a trip to Swansea City, who managed just five goals in their previous six at the Liberty.

Having scooped maximum bonus points in two of his last four starts, Petr Cech (5.9) serves as the choice selection among an Arsenal defence that’s conceded one goal in their last four fixtures at the Emirates. The keeper’s point potential earns him the nod as the Gunners look to get their title bid back on track with a vital win over Leicester.

Defenders

Branislav Ivanovic (6.6) has been much improved on the attacking front under the stewardship of Guus Hiddink, chalking up one goal and three assists in nine outings. As such, he serves as our favoured source of Blues defensive coverage before Newcastle United – who are hamstrung by a plethora of defensive injuries and knocks – make the trip to Stamford Bridge.

By virtue of his second goal in successive starts, Scott Dann (5.8) joined Patrick van Aanholt at the summit of the defender scoring charts (five goals). Clean sheets have been in short supply for the Eagles of late, but they’ll fancy their chances of silencing a Watford outfit that’s drawn blanks in their previous trio of road clashes.

Aside from being Bournemouth’s first-choice penalty taker, Charlie Daniels (4.6) has thrived from open play, producing four assists throughout the campaign. Up against a Stoke City side that have registered four consecutive blanks, the left-back looks a decent shout at both ends of the pitch.

Seamus Coleman (5.8) netted his first goal of the season against the Potters and now hosts a West Brom side with a single goal in their last four. Given that the Irish right-back tallied nine goals across the previous two seasons, he’s certainly capable of stringing together a series of high-scoring displays.

In light of his aerial threat, Virgil van Dijk (5.4) – who’s already mustered two goals in his debut Premier League term – gets the nod ahead of Jose Fonte and Ryan Bertrand.

Considering that he’s been awarded maximum bonus points for all but one of Swansea’s clean sheets this season, Ashley Williams (4.8) factors into our thinking prior to Southampton’s visit.

Norwich City failed to score in three of the last four Gameweeks, which brings the marauding Aaron Cresswell (5.6) onto our radar for their trip to Carrow Road.

Midfielders

With five goals in six starts, Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.0) is arguably enjoying his best run of form since making the switch to England’s top flight. The Iceland international might well have been a sure-fire pick were it not for the fact that the Swans cross swords with a Saints defence that’s battened down the hatches, shutting out Manchester United and Arsenal in recent road encounters.

Despite drawing blanks in the last three Gameweeks, Oscar (8.1) remains our favoured path into Chelsea’s midfield ahead of their home tie against Newcastle. In the event that the Londoners punish a Magpies unit that conceded five goals in their past two road fixtures, the Brazilian midfielder won’t be far away from the action.

Roberto Firmino rolls up to Villa on the back of a third brace in five appearances after bagging a goal and assist at home to Sunderland. The basement-dwellers have improved defensively of late but we’re backing the Liverpool “false nine” to do the business once again this time out.

Mesut Ozil’s 10-point-haul at the Vitality Stadium, thanks to a goal and two bonus points, renewed our confidence in a player that had posted four blanks on the trot.

Excluding Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley (7.4) – with his eight goals and assists – presents the most cogent case for investment among Everton’s attacking contingent against a Baggie backline with two clean sheets in the last 15 Gameweeks.

Dimitri Payet (8.2) came up short in his last four starts but should be afforded ample opportunity to deliver attacking returns against a generous Norwich defence that’s conceded 16 times in the last five Gameweeks.

A 14-point haul at the Etihad served a timely reminder of Riyad Mahrez’ (7.1) fixture-proof appeal, so we’re unperturbed by the fact that Leicester will be dueling on Arsenal’s home turf.

Forwards

Having produced attacking returns (five goals, three assists) in five of his last six starts, Wayne Rooney (10.0) deserves to be part of the conversation before a trip to Sunderland. The Red Devils captain will draw confidence from the fact that the Black Cats shipped eight goals over the past four Gameweeks.

In a similar vein to Rooney, Diego Costa (10.6) has reasserted himself as a viable option in the high-priced bracket, tallying four goals and two assists in five appearances. Granted, his propensity for needless yellow cards (seven – the most among forwards) serves as a deterrent, but his capacity for explosive returns against Newcastle’s beleaguered defence outweighs that negative.

Notwithstanding his inability to fashion a solitary attempt against the Gunners, Benik Afobe (6.1) remains an intriguing mid-priced pick-up. The English marksman scored in three successive fixtures prior to facing his former club and will be hard for Stoke to contain in the absence of Ryan Shawcross.

Sergio Aguero (13.6) has amassed six goals in four starts but faces his toughest task yet as Manchester City prepare to host a Tottenham Hotspur side with the league’s best defensive record.

Harry Kane’s (10.1) knack for performing in the big occasion is fresh in our mind as Spurs hope for a repeat of their 4-1 thrashing at White Hart Lane.

Romelu Lukaku (8.8) banished his five-match barren streak with a goal at the Britannia Stadium, which bodes well for the Baggies clash.

On Standby…

Scouring the market for any hidden gems this Gameweek, there are a quartet of offensive assets that tickle our fancy and could yet sneak into the final squad.

The Hammers’ Michail Antonio (5.3) has been outperforming his more illustrious counterpart, Payet, in recent weeks, bagging three goals and five assists in eight starts. Furthermore, the robust winger ranks joint-third among midfielders for shots inside the box (11) over the last four Gameweeks.

Wilfried Zaha (5.3) notched two assists in his previous three outings and has been Palace’s most threatening player for a while now, also netting a recent FA Cup winner against Stoke. Illuminating his assist potential, only three players accrued more key passes (seven) during the last two Gameweeks.

Graziano Pelle failed to stamp his authority on a starting berth against the Irons, improving Charlie Austin‘s (7.0) chances of earning his maiden start for Saints at the Liberty Stadium. Given that he netted 18 goals for a poor Queens Park Rangers outfit in his last Premier League stint, we’re confident in Austin’s ability to flourish at the south-coast club.

Although Marko Arnautovic (6.4) is goalless in five matches, Stoke’s away tie against Bournemouth could serve as the catalyst that reignites his season. For all the Staffordshire outfit’s recent travails in the final third, it’s worth noting that they sparred with three of the league’s top-six defences (Man United, Leicester, Arsenal) during that period. Moreover, the Cherries chart joint-third for goals conceded in home matches (18).

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 25’s Community Champion Beavis was narrowly defeated 58 points to 57 by the Scout Picks. Gameweek 26’s Scout Picks Community Champion, as selected by our lottery, is Eden Hazardous. This is his third season with 2013/14’s finish of 924,816 his highest.

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.