Fantasy managers are treated to the final double Gameweek of 2015/16 before the curtain comes down on the season next Sunday. West Ham are the only side to supply us with a trio of assets, though a couple of home matches persuades us to double up on Sunderland and Liverpool as we hedge our bets on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet.
David de Gea is our preferred stopper as United travel to Norwich and West Ham on the back of four clean sheets in six. The Carrow Road fixtures is far likelier to reap reward, given that Alex Neil’s men have failed to score in their previous three, whilst the Spaniard can be expected to pick up the save points on Tuesday as Louis van Gaal’s side attempt to keep the rampant Hammers at bay.
Sunderland’s recent run of three clean sheets in five affords Big Sam a degree of confidence as he plots a course for survival ahead of visits from Chelsea and Everton. With five goals to his name so far, Patrick van Aanholt has fired more attempts on goal than any defender this season and remains the Black Cats likeliest source of points at both ends of the pitch.
Aaron Cresswell comes in for West Ham’s pair of home matches against Swansea and United. Whilst last week’s 3-0 win over West Brom harvested a first clean sheet in seven, the former Ipswich man has also chipped in with a goal and assist over the previous four and his delivery from the left will ensure Andy Carroll is supplied with plenty of crosses in and around the box.
We’re banking on Dejan Lovren as the likeliest defensive starter for Liverpool’s double Gameweek – despite Jurgen Klopp’s penchant for rotation, the Croatian has been named in the first XI each of the last three league fixtures. At 4.8, he hosts a Watford side with four goals in their last eight road trips this weekend, before the Reds face their final Anfield fixture of the season against deposed champions Chelsea.
Leader of this week’s Captain Poll, Dimitri Payet is nailed-on in our four-man midfield for the Hammers’ final two fixtures at Upton Park. Considering that the Frenchman faces a Swansea side with one away clean sheet all season and a United backline with just one shut-out in five road trips, he looks in line to maintain the consistent form that’s served up a goal or assist in seven of his last ten.
Three goals in two appearances since returning from injury catapults Eden Hazard into this week’s Scout Picks. As evidenced by his second-half sub showing against Spurs, the Belgian seems to have rediscovered his spark as the Blues head to Sunderland and Liverpool. Granted, there’s a chance his minutes could be managed over the two matches but judging by Monday’s display, snapping him up could be well worth the risk.
A trip to whipping boys Villa offers Andros Townsend the chance to help keep Newcastle out of the drop zone. The winger bagged the winner against Palace last week and has three goals and two assists in six now – as we’ve seen time and again in recent weeks, Villa’s defence have been more than obliging to opponents as they tumble into the Championship.
We’re willing to take a gamble on the versatile Roberto Firmino’s minutes for Liverpool’s home encounters against Watford and Chelsea. Able to play in a central support role or lead the line as a “false nine”, the summer signing started four of the last five league matches under Jurgen Klopp (compared to Philippe Coutinho’s two starts) and his dazzling display in last night’s 3-0 win over Villarreal suggests he has a point to prove after being omitted from Brazil’s Copa America squad.
Despite starting just three of his side’s last six, Andy Carroll has still found the net on six occasions. The in-form Hammers’ frontman has posed weekend visitors Swansea plenty of problems in the past and with Francesco Guidolin mulling over a rest for Ashley Williams, his aerial threat could bring in the points again. Carroll also looks vital against United on Tuesday in a match that could be decisive in West Ham’s bid for the European spots.
Sunderland’s chances of survival may well rest on the shoulders of Jermain Defoe. After bagging his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of a late leveler at Stoke last week, the Black Cats’ top scorer will fancy his chances against a couple of porous defences – Chelsea have one clean sheet in 11, whilst Everton have kept out their opponents once in ten league outings.
We’re keeping faith in Sergio Aguero for City’s crucial encounter with Arsenal. A win over the Gunners will allow Manuel Pellegrini’s to leapfrog their visitors into third spot with one match remaining and, given that it’s the Chilean’s final home match in charge, he’ll be desperate to go out in style.
Norwich home encounters with United and Watford bring Russell Martin onto the bench. With Timm Klose out for the season, their three-goal skipper looks the likeliest source of points at both ends of the pitch as Alex Neil attempts to drag the Canaries to safety.
We’re backing Nathan Redmond to make an impact in those Carrow Road clashes. Back in the first-team against Arsenal last week, the winger fired four attempts in the 1-0 loss and his eye for goal could reignite an attack that have failed to scored in their previous three.
Having taken a chance on Roberto Firmino, we’re going to overlook Daniel Sturridge and instead plump for Diego Costa’s security of starts. When on the pitch, the Spain international has played a part in 52% of the Blues’ goals under Guus Hiddink – if he can remain on the right side of the referee, a 5% ownership suggests he’s shaping up to be a decent differential.
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 36’s community champion Balders defeated the Scout Picks 54 to 45.
The Gameweek 36 Community Champion is King Ozil, who has selected the following team: Ruddy, Martin, Reid, Kone, Hazard, Payet, Redmond, Townsend, Defoe, Carroll, Aguero.
