We ramp up our preparations for Gameweek 16 by revealing the players from our midweek Scout Squad article who have earned a place in the Scout Picks.
We are pinpointing West Brom’s visit to Swansea City as a turning point for the Welsh side as they look to end an awful run of six defeats and a draw since Gameweek 8.
Even if Lukasz Fabianski (4.6) fails to keep the Baggies at bay, he should, at least, offer save points. The Pole has earned 15 of those already and is successfully stopping a shot every 21 minutes, faster than any other regular starting keeper.
Chelsea’s trip to West Ham is among the most eye-catching encounters this weekend and has prompted us to double up on Blues assets with our 84 million budget.
We start by turning to wing-back Marcos Alonso (6.9), who adds attacking menace to his clean sheet potential. He’s earned six shut-outs, scored three goals and is top among defenders for goal attempts (27), penalty area efforts (17) and shots on target (eight).
He also offers us the security of a start ahead of three fixtures in just ten days, given that he was rested for Tuesday’s Champions League 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.
A midweek rest in Spurs’ 3-0 Champions League victory over Apoel Nicosia should guarantee a start for Kieran Trippier (5.6) when Stoke City visit Wembley Stadium. The full-back has started all but one of Spurs’ seven “home” matches and has supplied more key passes at home (16) than any other defender. He’s also produced nine assists from his last 23 appearances.
The Potters have scored eight goals on the road but have also conceded 15, keeping just one clean sheet. That suggests that Trippier’s raids forward could provide returns.
Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho (4.9) earns a Scout Picks berth on the back of a goal, two clean sheets and eight bonus points in his last three outings. The Frenchman hosts a Bournemouth side that has found the net just four times in away matches – only the Eagles themselves and Huddersfield Town have scored fewer.
Arsenal’s Sead Kolasinac is the final face in our back-four for a trip to Southampton. Similar to Alonso, he offers the prospect of points at both ends of the pitch – the summer signing has already chipped in with a goal, four assists and seven clean sheets.
The underlying stats also back this up. Kolasinac is placed second in defence for big chances created (five) and places third when it comes to efforts in the box (13). With Cedric Soares still injured for the hosts, the Bosnian looks set to be unleashed against back-up option Jeremy Pied on Sunday.
Chelsea’s influence on the picks continues in midfield with the almost inevitable selection of Eden Hazard (10.8).
The Belgian fired a brace against Newcastle United in Gameweek 15, recording nine shots on goal, a single match tally beaten only by Harry Kane (10) this season. Over his last six starts, Hazard has accrued five goals and three assists and has banished concerns surrounding his away form: he has totalled 37 points in his last three road trips.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (9.9) was another shoo-in. He continues to boast startling consistency, having produced returns in his last seven Gameweek appearances – supplying three double-digit hauls over that spell.
Everton may prove a tough nut to crack under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce, but we still have to back Salah to deliver as part of Liverpool’s “fab four”. Jurgen Klopp’s attack have produced 12 goals from their last four matches, converting eight of their 11 big chances in that period. Seven goals in the midweek Champions League demolition of Spartak demonstrated devastating form and is a sign of intent ahead of Sunday’s derby.
Aaron Ramsey (7.2) completes our midfield trio. Arsenal travel to a Southampton side with just one clean sheet in ten Gameweeks. The Welshman has scored or assisted in all but one of his last seven, including two double-digit tallies. He has had a hand in 43% of Arsenal’s away goals when on the pitch.
Harry Kane (12.8) has sparked much discussion this week following another frustrating blank in Gameweek 15. The striker has previously failed to produce points in “home” encounters with Swansea, Burnley, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace ahead of Stoke’s visit.
However, the Potters’ defence appears vulnerable having conceded 30 goals this season, second only to West Ham. Mark Hughes’ defence has also surrendered 12 big chances over their last four away matches, more than any other side.
Kane’s recent underlying statistics are always comforting, as is his record against Stoke – he fired a hat-trick in this fixture last season, albeit at White Hart Lane.
We’re doubling up on the Liverpool attack for the Merseyside derby, with the in-form Roberto Firmino handed a call-up.
After a slow start to the season, the Brazilian seems to have upped his impact in the final third – a midweek strike against Spartak Moscow took his tally to five goals and two assists across his last four outings in all competitions.
The Scout Picks XI is completed by Brighton’s veteran striker Glenn Murray (5.8), who travels to Huddersfield Town looking to add to his five-goal tally, which included a penalty against Liverpool last time out.
The Terriers bettered the Seagulls 3-1 in this fixture in the Championship, but have shipped 13 goals over their last four matches – more than any other side.
Watford’s trip to Burnley is the start of an obliging run of fixtures for the Hornets, which makes their right wing-back Kiko Femenia (4.6) a compelling pick for this week and a shrewd long-term investment.
The Spaniard has helped his side pick up five clean sheets so far, earning FPL bonus points each time. Meanwhile, the Clarets have scored just five goals at Turf Moor this season – only Swansea have scored fewer home goals. Significantly, they will also be without the creative talents of Robbie Brady.
Femenia’s team-mate Richarlison (6.6) also claims a sub role for the visit to Burnley on the back of some very convincing away form.
The Brazilian has scored four of his five goals on the road, with only Kane (35 to 28) firing more shots in away matches. The Clarets have conceded just three goals at Turf Moor, but Watford arrive having scored at least two goals in each of their seven away matches. Something has to give, and we’re favouring the Hornets and Richarlison here.
Extending our backing of a Swansea mini-revival, we have handed our final bench role to striker Tammy Abraham (5.9), who is expected to start up front alongside Wilfried Bony when West Brom pay visit. Although he last registered an attacking return back in Gameweek 10, Abraham remains a big threat at the Liberty Stadium – all bar one of his four goals have arrived in south Wales.
The Community Champion
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.
This week’s champion is Sliver, who has opted for a 3-4-3 line up of: Fabianski; Sakho, Monreal, Christensen; Eriksen, Sanchez, Hazard, Coutinho; Murray, Morata, Bony.
