It’s time for the Gameweek 28 Scout Picks this Tuesday afternoon as the hectic schedule shows little sign of letting up. We keep faith in a trio of Foxes for Leicester’s King Power clash with West Brom, whilst Stoke and Arsenal supply us with a pair of players apiece ahead of home encounters against Newcastle and Swansea.
We call upon Jack Butland as Stoke prepare for a Britannia head-to-head with Newcastle on Wednesday evening. Despite Ryan Shawcross being ruled out again, the Potters look a decent shout to register a clean sheet against a Magpies outfit that have scored a mere seven times on their travels thus far – fewer than any other side.
Christian Fuchs continues in our three-man defence after racking up a nine-point haul at home to Norwich on Saturday. Leicester seek a seventh straight shut-out in front of their own fans this time around and bearing in mind that visitors West Brom have netted once in their last three on the road, the Foxes will be full of confidence.
A trip to Carrow Road affords Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic the chance to maintain his fine form. The Serbian has averaged 6.09 points per appearance since the departure of Jose Mourinho, with a 10-point haul at Southampton his third double-figure return over that period.
We’re backing Hector Bellerin to torment Swansea at the Emirates as Arsenal look to get their title bid back on track. The Gunners have conceded just twice in five in front of their own fans and if Francesco Guidolin sticks with his midfield diamond, the Spaniard could be afford plenty of freedom down the flanks tomorrow night.
Marko Arnautovic retains his spot in our starting XI after bagging a weekend brace at home to Villa. The Austrian faces Newcastle in front of his own fans this time around and will fancy his chances of getting amongst the goals again, given that the Magpies boast the second-worst away defence and have lost five successive road trips.
Sunderland playmaker Wahbi Khazri gets the nod at home to a struggling Palace side that’s picked up one point in their last eight league matches. The Tunisia international bagged 19 points against Liverpool and United before blanking at West Ham on Saturday and looks vital to the Wearsiders’ prospects of bagging a much-needed win that could potentially see them climb out of the bottom three.
A goal and assist against United on Sunday ensures that Mesut Ozil remains our Arsenal midfielder of choice for the home clash against Swansea. Given that the Welsh side have managed just one clean sheet on their travels all season, the Gunners’ playmaker has a strong chance of racking up a third double-figure haul in four on Wednesday night.
Riyad Mahrez is called upon for Leicester’s match with West Brom. With Chris Brunt ruled out and Jonny Evans a doubt, the Algerian could be up against James Chester on the flank at the King Power, boosting his chances of getting back amongst the points after a couple of recent blanks against Arsenal and Norwich.
An assist at home to Norwich maintained Jamie Vardy’s outstanding home record this season. The Leicester top scorer has earned points in 11 of his 13 King Power appearances and now welcomes a Baggies backline that’s managed just one clean sheet in their last eight on the road.
Everton’s trip to Villa affords Romelu Lukaku a chance to get back amongst the points. The Belgian bagged a brace against the midlands outfit back in Gameweek 13 and will be looking for more of the same, given that Remi Garde’s side shipped six goals to Liverpool in their last home match.
Despite an energy-sapping Wembley final against Liverpool, we’re drafting in Sergio Aguero for City’s trip to Anfield. The Argentine has netted in each of his last three road trips and provided the assist for Fernandinho’s opener against the Merseysiders on Sunday. Seven strikes in as many Gameweeks highlights Aguero’s league form and with Liverpool still nursing worries at the back, he could be amongst the goals yet again.
We hand Guillermo Valera a Scout Picks debut on the bench as United welcome Watford to Old Trafford. The Hornets have failed to score in five of their last seven now and with Quique Sanchez Flores looking to clinch survival, the young right-back looks a decent enabler at 4.2.
With Guus Hiddink mulling over the idea of resting Diego Costa for one of the next two matches, Willian comes in for Chelsea’s clash with Norwich. Like Ivanovic, he has been one of the main beneficiaries of Mourinho’s departure, averaging 5.9 ppg over the subsequent 11 fixtures.
Jermain Defoe is our final pick for Sunderland’s clash with Palace. With Khazri pulling the strings, he could be on course to add to his ten-goal haul against a backline that looks incapable of keeping out their opponents right now.
