Everton and Palace dominate this week’s Scout Picks as both prepare for a double Gameweek 33. We call upon a trio of Toffees and a couple of the Eagles’ main men, whilst Leicester also supply us with a pair of players ahead of their weekend trip to Big Sam’s Sunderland.
Joel Robles is our Everton backline option for the double Gameweek. With uncertainty surrounding most of the Toffees defence, Robles’ kind 4.3 price tag strengthens his claim for consideration as a relatively risk-free pick. The Toffees haven’t been too convincing at the back but will be buoyed by Watford and Palace’s lack of cutting edge – the Hornets have failed to score in eight of their last 11, whilst Palace haven’t netted more than once at home in each of their last eight Selhurst Park encounters.
Scott Dann’s goal threat is enough to earn him the nod as our chose Palace backline option for a pair of home encounters with Norwich and Everton. Although the Eagles have conceded in each of their last 12, Dann has already found the net five times this term and leads the way amongst all defenders for efforts inside the box over the last four matches.
A home encounter with Newcastle brings Virgil van Dijk into our defence. If the Saints fail to curtail Rafa’s side, the Dutchman’s aerial threat from set-pieces come still come to fruition – all three of his goals this season have arrived at St Mary’s.
Leicester’s resilient rearguard has to be backed for the trip to Sunderland. Christian Fuchs is our preferred route into a backline with five clean sheets in six – the Austrian’s four assists and 21 bonus points make him the standout candidate.
We’re prepared to take a punt on the erratic Yannick Bolasie for Palace’s double. Five sets of attacking returns in 21 outings underlines the risk you take when snapping up the 6.0-priced wide man but he looks the likeliest Eagles attacker to start both matches. With points still needed to secure safety, Bolasie – who has produced 10 and 15 point-hauls in front of his own fans already – is up against a Norwich outfit with one away clean sheet all season and an Everton backline with a couple of shut-outs in nine.
Ross Barkley’s security of minutes is a major factor in our thinking as Everton prepare for successive double Gameweeks. Having started every league match for the Toffees, he gets the nod over Aaron Lennon for the trips to Vicarage Road and Selhurst Park as he looks to add to his four double-figure hauls so far.
A home clash with Stoke brings the in-form Philippe Coutinho into consideration. The Brazilian – who bagged the winner in a 1-0 victory at the Britannia in Gameweek 1 – has racked up two goals and three assists in his last four league outings and faces a defence with a single clean sheet in ten.
Leicester’s trip to Sunderland earns Riyad Mahrez a place in midfielder. Granted, the goals are drying up for the Foxes as they grind their way to the title but we cannot overlook the Algerian. Mahrez has already bagged a 15-point haul against the Black Cats earlier in the season and has delivered seven double-figure hauls on his travels to date.
Romelu Lukaku leads the lines for back-to-back clashes with Watford and Palace. Given that both is upcoming opponents have managed a mere two clean sheets apiece in their previous 14 league encounters, it’s easy to see why Everton’s 18-goal striker is the runaway leader in this week’s Captain Poll.
City’s home encounter with West Brom affords Sergio Aguero a chance to get amongst the goals. The Etihad side look a different prospect altogether with Kevin de Bruyne back on board and a morale-boosting 2-2 draw in Paris on Wednesday, the Argentine will be optimistic of adding to his 17 goals so far.
Harry Kane also comes in for Tottenham’s home match with United. With their title tilt taking a blow last weekend, Mauricio Pochettino’s men can afford no more slip-ups and Kane’s six goal and an assist in four suggest he’s the man most likely to breach the Red Devils’ defence.
Nicolas Otamendi warms the bench for City’s home match with West Brom. The Argentine looks the only nailed-on route into a rearguard that’s conceded just once in the last four Gameweeks.
With Villa’s defence in such a generous mood, it would be remiss of us not to consider one of their opponents. Chelsea pair Pato and Pedro were the latest to benefit from facing the midlands side with a double-figure haul apiece last weekend and with that in mind, we’re placing out faith in Bournemouth flier Max Gradel for the trip to Villa Park.
A home clash with Newcastle earns Graziano Pelle the final place in our Scout Picks. The Italian bagged three goals and two assists in two appearances prior to last week’s blank at Leicester and now faces a defence with one clean sheet in their last 16 league outings.
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.
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.
Red Devil leads the way after beating the Picks by 25 points in Gameweek 17.
Gameweek 32’s Community Champion Van Dear Vaart beat the Scout Picks by 75 points to 74.
The Gameweek 33 Community Champion is Geordienufc1. His Picks are as follows: Robles; Dann, Daniels, Clichy; Sanchez, De Bruyne, Mane, Bolasie, Lennon; Aguero, Lukaku.
