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 result of this evening’s FA Cup replay and the injury situation over the next few days.
Here’s the cast currently under consideration for Gameweek 30…
Goalkeepers
Considering that Stoke City have conceded just three goals in their previous four, Jack Butland (5.3) piques our interest against a Southampton attack that’s notched a solitary goal in three road trips and is hampered with injuries up top.
Meanwhile, Norwich City’s four blanks in six outings send Joe Hart (5.6) onto our radar as Man City make their way to Carrow Road.
Defenders
Although Bournemouth have tallied just seven clean sheets throughout the campaign, Charlie Daniels (4.9) ranks second among all defenders for total score (119) by virtue of his three goals and five assists. The marauding left-back’s potential for points at both ends of the pitch could come to fruition once again this weekend as the Cherries – who have conceded once in the last three – welcome Swansea to Dean Court.
Virgil van Dijk’s (5.6) attacking threat and knack for accruing bonus points ensures that he’s our choice source of Southampton defensive coverage before their road tie against Stoke City. Notwithstanding Jose Fonte’s one-match ban, the Saints are still capable of rebuffing a Potters attack that has served up three goals in their last four at the Britannia.
In the wake of the Swans’ home win over Norwich last Gameweek, Ashley Williams (4.9) has now recorded four more bonus points than any defender. Given that the Wales international has earned 20 of his 21 bonus points from clean sheets, he looks primed for points if Swansea can rebuff Bournemouth’s advances. Williams has also improved his goal threat considerably since the arrival of Francesco Guidolin, scoring twice in the last seven Gameweeks – that matches his tally for the previous four seasons combined.
Toby Alderweireld’s (6.4) propensity for attacking returns (three goals and as many assists) renders him the prime route into Spurs’ rearguard ahead of a trip to Aston Villa, who failed to score in four of their last seven matches.
Having accrued more than double the amount of bonus points (15) than any other Leicester City defender, Christian Fuchs (4.9) represents the best value for Newcastle United’s visit to the King Power Stadium.
In light of the favourable nature of the Sky Blues’ match-up, Aleksandar Kolarov (6.0) and Vincent Kompany (6.2) both factor into our thinking for this truncated Gameweek.
Should Arsenal lose to Hull in the FA Cup this evening, we’ll replace one of the City pair with Hector Bellerin (6.2). Fresh from his double assist in the North London derby, the raiding right-back would then welcome a West Brom outfit that has notched three goals in their last four away fixtures.
Midfielders
A weekend winner at home to Norwich means that Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.2) has registered just three blanks in ten league outings, racking up six goals and one assist along the way. Having averaged 6.57 points per appearance since the arrival of Francesco Guidolin in Gameweek 23, he looks the man most likely to punish a Cherries backline that’s mustered only four clean sheets on home turf.
Given that the Villains surrendered 15 goals in their previous four outings, we’re encouraged to triple up on Spurs’ offensive assets. To that end, Christian Eriksen (8.6) and Dele Alli (6.0) serve as the premier accompaniments to Harry Kane. The former has delivered one more double-figure haul (three to two) than the latter across the last eight Gameweeks, but Alli’s enforced rest in midweek (he is banned for the Borussia Dortmund Europa League match) could afford him the edge.
Bournemouth’s resurgence on the attacking front (five goals in two) shines a spotlight back on their budget midfield recruits. Joshua King (4.3) bagged a goal and assist on Saturday – underlining his potential in the central support berth – while Matt Ritchie (5.3) has become a more prominent figure in the south-coast club’s approach play, serving up a goal, three assists and two bonus points in the last four.
Similar to the situation with Kompany and Kolarov, if Arsenal lose this evening, then one of the Bournemouth duo will be replaced by Mesut Ozil (10.0) for a home clash against the Baggies. In spite of Alexis Sanchez’s long-awaited goal at White Hart Lane, the German’s consistency of output persuades us to keep faith in his talents.
No player this season has contributed to more goals than Riyad Mahrez (15 goals, 11 assists) as the Foxes prepare to host a Newcastle team that’s conceded nine goals in three matches.
Marko Arnautovic (6.4) acts as Stoke’s best bet of profiting from the temporary disbandment of Southampton’s first-choice central defensive partnership.
Considering that the Canaries rank joint-bottom for clean sheets (three) this season, we’re considering a double-up on Man City’s midfield. Yaya Toure (8.5) and David Silva (9.9) both dispelled barren runs last Gameweek so this match-up arrives at a perfect time to sustain their current momentum.
Forwards
With four goals in nine starts, Benik Afobe (6.1) has made solid start to life in England’s top tier, alerting us to his potential in the mid-priced bracket. Now playing in front of a settled supporting cast – which includes the effervescent Max Gradel – the former Arsenal man will fancy his chances of outfoxing the Swans’ unpredictable defence.
Harry Kane (10.1) boasts four goals in as many road ties, which bodes well for the Lilywhites’ trip to Villa Park. Moreover, he’s pitted against a unit that charts second for goals conceded in home matches (23).
Jamie Vardy (7.8) netted once in his previous five starts but will likely be granted a host of opportunities to get back on track against the ailing Magpies.
Following his brace in the last wave of fixtures, Sergio Aguero (13.6) is a standout captaincy candidate this time around against a Norwich defence that’s conceded 12 times in the last four in front of their own supporters.
Salomon Rondon (6.5) is another player who could yet make the squad, providing Arsenal are knocked out tonight. The Baggies frontman is enjoying his most fruitful period since a summer switch to The Hawthorns, tallying four goal in five starts, and would have a weekend trip to the Emirates on his agenda if Hull emerge triumphant this evening.
On Standby
Upon exploring the depths of the market for any hidden gems this Gameweek, Nathan Redmond (5.0) courts our attention. Aside from the fact that he scored against Chelsea last week, the England U21 international places second among midfielders for shots inside the box (eight) across the last four Gameweeks.
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 29’s Community Champion BabyB was defeated 73 points to 41 by the Scout Picks. Gameweek 30’s Scout Picks Community Champion, as selected by our lottery, is Ringwraith. This is his 10th season with 2008/9’s finish of 1,572 his best yet.
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.
