For the final time this season, we turn our attention to the weekend’s ten fixtures and roll out some early insight into our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. Boiling down the contenders to a standard squad of 22, we also assess those names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article.
Listed below are the players currently under consideration for Gameweek 38, with the quest for sure-fire starters and players’ motivation playing key parts in our attempt to avoid the pitfalls of rest and rotation. Obviously, this could be subject to change dependant on the injury outcome of this evening’s final three matches of double Gameweek 37.
Goalkeepers
With some question marks over Louis van Gaal’s team sheet this weekend, we’re opting for the security of starts offered by David De Gea (5.9) at home to Bournemouth. Manchester United have conceded just one goal in their last five at Old Trafford and rank top for home clean sheets (12) ahead of a visit from a Cherries side that’s mustered six goals in seven outings.
Tim Howard (4.8) is set to be handed his Goodison swansong this weekend before leaving Everton in the summer. The US international looks poised to take over from Joel Robles as the Toffees look to silence a Norwich City outfit that’s failed to score in each of their last four.
Defenders
Hector Bellerin (6.5) is another nailed-on option as Arsenal bid to climb above Spurs in second. The right-back boasts decent attacking form (one goal and three assists in nine) and hosts an Aston Villa side that drew six blanks in their last nine league ties.
Virgil van Dijk (5.6) charts top among Southampton’s defensive starters for goals (three) and points-per-game average (3.9) ahead of a home clash against Crystal Palace. The Eagles failed to score in three of their last five match-ups and are likely to field a much-changed side ahead of the FA Cup final.
By virtue of his attacking prowess (five goals and four assists), Patrick van Aanholt (4.8) serves as the premier source of Sunderland defensive coverage before a trip to Watford. The Black Cats managed three shut-outs in their last six outings and are pitted against a Hornets unit that’s failed to score in seven of their 13 fixtures since Gameweek 24.
Chris Smalling’s (6.5) security of starts makes him the only viable option if we decide to double up on the Red Devils’ clean-sheet prospects.
Toby Alderweireld (6.4) places top among all defenders for total score (166) as Spurs gear up for a road encounter against Newcastle United, who were unable to breach Villa’s obliging defence last time out.
Midfielders
Alexis Sanchez (11.0) scored in all but three of his previous nine starts, making him a top captaincy selection for Arsenal’s favourable head-to-head with Villa. The Chilean winger recorded two double-figure hauls in his last seven outings and should be afforded a wealth of opportunities to repeat that feat against the league’s worst travelling side.
Dusan Tadic (6.6) is arguably enjoying the best run of form since his switch to the Premier League, having chalked up two goals and six assists in four starts. An integral component of an attack that’s recorded 11 goals in four fixtures, the Serbian playmaker is well positioned to punish a Palace rearguard that’s registered just two clean sheets since Gameweek 20.
Notwithstanding Stoke City’s poor form, Marko Arnautovic (6.3) has been quietly productive of late, amassing two goals and as many assists in seven starts. Having scored eight of his last nine goals at the Britannia, he’ll fancy his chances against a visiting West Ham rearguard with a single clean sheet in nine.
Andros Townsend (5.8) boasts three goals and one assist in six appearances prior to Tottenham’s visit. There is a concern, of course, that Newcastle could already be relegated by that point if Sunderland win tonight, though the winger will be determined to put on a performance against his former employers in the Magpies’ final home fixture of the season.
Having produced attacking returns (two goals and one assist) in three of his last five outings, Kevin De Bruyne (10.3) factors into our thinking for Manchester City’s trip to Swansea.
Dimitri Payet (8.6) has mustered four assists in as many starts and is pitted against a Stoke defence that surrendered 15 goals in their last five match-ups.
In appreciation of his three goals in a trio of appearances since returning from injury, Eden Hazard (10.9) represents an alluring gamble for a home clash against Leicester City.
Riyad Mahrez (7.2) could well deliver one final big haul against a Blues back line that’s shipped nine goals in four fixtures.
Forwards
Sergio Aguero (13.2), Harry Kane (10.2) and Jamie Vardy (7.4) will all have one eye on the Golden Boot in the concluding wave of fixtures. Aguero netted in his last six appearances and faces a Swans squad that’s conceded nine goals in four matches, while Kane racked up six goals in his previous quartet of road clashes. As for Vardy, he’s generated serious momentum with five goals in three starts.
With three goals and as many assists in five outings, Shane Long (5.7) has discovered his groove as the season comes to a close. Assuming that the Eagles enact heavy rotation as expected, the Irish international’s pace could prove key for an attack that ranks joint-second – alongside Spurs – for home goals (35).
In the absence of the injured Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud (8.7) is guaranteed to lead the line when the Gunners welcome Villa to the Emirates. The Frenchman has dispelled his barren streak in recent starts – notching one goal and two assists in two appearances – instilling him with the confidence to finish with a flourish.
Anthony Martial (7.7) bagged his second brace of the season against the Hammers and has now tallied four goals and one assist in his previous three starts across all competitions. The Red Devils are still in with a shot of securing a top-four berth, so the former Monaco star will be motivated to engage a Bournemouth defence that’s conceded nine goals in four match-ups.
Jermain Defoe’s (5.4) form (three goals in four) keeps him on our radar for the Black Cats’ visit to Vicarage Road. Although Sunderland could have sealed their survival by that point, his total of 11 strikes on the road is bettered only by Harry Kane this season.
On Standby
In a Gameweek when Fantasy managers will be taking punts galore in an attempt to reel in mini-league leaders, there’s even more reason to comb the market for potential hidden gems.
Fuelled by their desire to play Champions League football next term, Kelechi Iheanacho (4.8) and Nicolas Otamendi (6.5) could turn out strong performances in Wales. The former notched two braces in his last three starts and ranked joint-top among forwards for shots on target (six) during that period, while the latter has accrued seven more shots inside the box (21) than any other Sky Blues defender.
In the mid-priced midfielder bracket, Sadio Mane (7.4) and Andre Ayew (6.6) court our attention. Aside from Mane’s form (five goals in four), the jet-heeled winger recorded more shots on target (seven) than any other midfielder across his previous four starts. Indeed, we may yet find a place for him in the squad if he recovers from the illness that forced him off last weekend. Ayew, meanwhile, is in fine fettle (three goals and one assist in two) and placed top for shots inside the box (10) during the same time frame.
With regards to attractive big-ticket players, Mesut Ozil (9.3) and Leighton Baines (6.0) are worthy of consideration. No midfielder produced more key passes than Ozil (19) in their previous four matches, whilst Baines netted against the Cherries and created five chances in his last four outings.
Christian Benteke could benefit from Jurgen Klopp’s rotation plans as Liverpool travel to West Brom. With the Reds manager expected to rest his regulars on Sunday ahead of their Europa League final against Sevilla, the big Belgian – who has a goal and assist in his last two – seems the likeliest candidate to lead the line.
Troy Deeney (5.3) piques our interest in the budget bracket. The Watford target man grabbed a brace in Gameweek 36 and comes up against a Sunderland defence that places second for shots inside the box conceded (315). Certainly, Deeney’s prospects will take a turn for the better if the Black Cats beat Everton, with Big Sam perhaps tempted to freshen up his XI if survival is clinched this evening.
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.
AZ is the final Scout Picks Community Champion of the season, following Tuesday’s lottery. This is his ninth season, with two top 5,000 finishes to his name so far.
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.
