Scout Picks – Gameweek 34

Not surprisingly, Double Gameweek targets dominate the Scout Picks as we reveal the 14 players to earn a call-up following Wednesday’s Squad article.

Just one player with a single fixture survives the cut – and even then they have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Among our first XI, Manchester United are the most represented, taking up three slots and just over a third of our 84 million budget.

Included in this Red Devils trio is David De Gea (5.9) who, with 152 points, is 11 clear of his nearest rival, Manchester City’s Ederson, in the goalkeeper standings. The Spaniard’s 16 clean sheets and 4.8 points per match average also lead the way and, as keepers traditionally fare well in Double Gameweeks, we have no qualms on spending big in this position.

De Gea’s prospects look particularly strong in his first match of the Gameweek, when West Brom drop by Old Trafford on Sunday. The Baggies have scored just eight goals on the road, only Brighton have fewer (seven).

However, De Gea may have to rely on save points for a trip to Bournemouth – the Cherries have scored in 13 of their 17 home encounters and last failed to find the net at the Vitality Stadium back in Gameweek 18.

To accommodate a raft of heavy-hitters in attack, we have opted for a largely cut-price back four. However, we have reserved funds for Scout Picks stalwart Marcos Alonso (7.2).

A trip to Southampton should grant Alonso the opportunity to add to his six goals and an assist this season. Only Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have fewer clean sheets (two) in home matches than the Saints (three). The wing-back also scored the winning goal in the reverse fixture, converting a direct free-kick in a 1-0 victory.

Alonso will likely find Thursday’s trip to Burnley a more testing proposition. However, Sean Dyche’s side have scored just 12 goals at Turf Moor, promoting the chances of a first clean sheet since Gameweek 24 for the Spaniard.

Thursday’s encounter looks to be a candidate for a goalless draw, which persuaded us to acquire Burnley’s right-back Matt Lowton (4.4).

With three assists this season, his attacking promise is another factor behind our decision. This may be required over Lowton’s two fixtures as he initially hosts a Leicester City attack that has failed to score just twice in their last 13 away days.

That Turf Moor encounter promotes Foxes’ centre back Wes Morgan (4.4), while Leicester City also host struggling Southampton in midweek, offering a second strong opportunity for a clean sheet.

Our final defensive slot goes to Brighton’s Lewis Dunk (4.5) ahead of a “derby” clash with Crystal Palace. The reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium ended 0-0 and we anticipate this will be another cagey affair, with both sides bidding to allay relegation fears.

Dunk then hosts Spurs, who are among the top three sides for away goals (33), shots (235), penalty area attempts (142) and efforts on target (84). That seems far less appealing for the Brighton skipper, though Dunk is ranked second for shots in home matches (16) among defenders and his attacking threat affords some hope from Tuesday’s fixture.

Willian (7.2) gets the nod as part of our three-man midfield ahead of Chelsea’s trips to Southampton and Burnley. The Brazilian has found the net twice over his last six matches and has been unfortunate not to score more. He has fired more shots (18) and efforts on target (nine) than any team-mate over that period.

Although Leicester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez (9.0) has failed to deliver attacking points in his last two Gameweeks, we have kept the faith based on his previous eight matches which generated five goals and three assists.

The Southampton defence has shipped three goals in each of their two league fixtures under new manager Mark Hughes and that builds the case for both Mahrez and the aforementioned Willian.

Those using the Free Hit chip during this Double Gameweek should note that we’ve squeezed in Manchester United’s two premium-priced attackers.

We were unable to split Alexis Sanchez (11.5) and Romelu Lukaku (11.6) for clashes with West Brom and Bournemouth, so we’ve opted to invest in both.

With successive double-digit FPL scores and a mere 3.7% ownership, Sanchez is an all-powerful differential option, particularly as a captain candidate.

But a 30.2% ownership could see Lukaku emerge as this week’s top armband choice, with our confidence boosted by his recent form.

The Belgian has produced four goals, two assists and seven bonus points over his last seven run-outs and is particularly lethal at home and against the “lesser” sides. Lukaku has supplied attacking returns in each of his last five at Old Trafford and has scored 14 of his 15 goals against teams outside the current top eight.

West Brom’s defence are expected to remain in an obliging mood and have just two clean sheets on their travels. Similarly, Bournemouth will likely be vulnerable to the United attack in midweek having kept just a single sheet since Gameweek 14.

Savings made at the back have also enabled us to acquire Harry Kane (12.9) in our XI.

The striker’s successful plea to claim Spurs’ second goal against Stoke City last weekend demonstrates his desire to usurp Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the Golden Boot race.

With a four-goal gap to bridge, he will be determined to test a Manchester City defence that has shipped eight goals in their last three in all competitions, suffering a defeat each time. Kane’s trip to Brighton also looks tailor-made for a late-season flourish: the Seagulls are yet to keep a clean sheet in 2018.

Burnley’s Ashley Barnes (5.4) completes our XI having scored and earned bonus returns in all but one of his last five Gameweeks.

While the Clarets have struggled to find the net at home this season, their strong recent form – nine goals in four successive victories – ensures that he is among the top cut-price forwards on offer for the Double Gameweek.

Spurs’ centre-back Jan Vertonghen (6.0) claims the first of our three reserve spots, mainly with the Brighton trip in mind. A secure starter over the two matches, the Belgian has gained 10 bonus points over the season, all of which have arrived packaged with a clean sheet.

Marko Arnautovic (7.0) has the honour of being the only player with a single fixture to gain selection.

The West Ham midfielder’s home encounter with former club Stoke looks too enticing to ignore. He scored and produced nine points in the reverse fixture and has notched three hauls of 15 points or more since being handed the striker’s role from Gameweek 16.

Although Charlie Austin (5.8) faces a testing fixture combination, a total of six goals from his last six starts suggests the Southampton striker can profit if handed pitch time against Chelsea and Leicester City.

He takes a place on our bench having scored every 100 minutes this season, a record that is bettered only by Sergio Aguero (93.8).

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 33 is Effe, who has opted for a 4-3-3 line up of: De Gea; Valencia, Lowton, Tarkowski, Alonso; Gross, Willian, Salah; Wood, Lukaku, Kane.

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.