Next up this evening, we roll out an early heads-up on our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. This list of 22 players will also include some names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article, though will, of course, be subject to change, depending on the injury situation unfolds over the next few days.

Here’s the cast currently under consideration for Gameweek 24….

Goalkeepers

David De Gea (5.6) continues to represent the prime route into the league’ s best home defence (five goals conceded) ahead of a visit from Stoke City, who have toiled in the final third in recent matches, drawing blanks in their last two league fixtures.

United’s recent form has hardly been convincing, though, so we’re also considering Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel (4.5). The Foxes have conceded just once in the last five Gameweeks ahead of their King Power clash with Liverpool and have chalked up a clean sheet in each of the previous three in front of their own fans.

Defenders

By way of his security of starts and attacking presence (one goal and three assists), Aaron Cresswell (5.6) remains the choice route into West Ham’s rearguard. The Irons conceded just three goals in their past four home encounters, which bodes well for their Upton Park encounter with an Aston Villa outfit that’s mustered four fewer goals (18) than any team this term.

West Bromwich Albion have struggled to batten down the hatches away from home of late but have registered two shut-outs in their last three home match-ups. Given that he’s a potent threat from set pieces (two goals) and has played every minute of their league campaign, Craig Dawson (5.1) gets the nod as the Baggies attempt to nullify a Swansea unit that’s recorded seven goals in as many outings.

Since the departure of Jose Mourinho, Branislav Ivanovic (6.5) has rediscovered his attacking verve, racking up one goal and three assists in seven starts. Ally this with Chelsea’s improvement on the defensive front – which has yielded three clean sheets in five fixtures – and the Serbian full-back tops our Watchlist and piques our interest for a trip to Watford.

Akin to Ivanovic, Leighton Baines (6.2) has started to showcase the capacity for attacking returns that’s rendered him a Fantasy stalwart in seasons gone by. The Everton left-back bagged a brace of assists against Chelsea and looks a strong shout for points at both ends of the pitch at home to a Newcastle side that’s scored fewer goals (six) on their travels than any other side.

By virtue of his marauding instincts, Hector Bellerin (6.1) serves as our favoured route into Arsenal’s back line before their home clash against Southampton.

Notwithstanding news of Jan Vertonghen’s knee ligament damage, Toby Alderweireld (6.2) looks a strong selection for Spurs’ head-to-head with Norwich City at Carrow Road.

In spite of Crystal Palace’s recent defensive issues, Scott Dann (5.8) courts our attention as they gear up for a home tie against Bournemouth, who netted one goal in their last three road matches. Dann’s threat from set-pieces is always a key factor and we’ve seen Eddie Howe’s side struggle to deal with dead-ball deliveries this term.

Midfielders

With two braces in three starts, Roberto Firmino (7.9) – who’s been tasked with leading Liverpool’s attack at the false nine position – has propelled himself into relevancy on the Fantasy scene. In appreciation of the Reds’ newfound potency (eight goals in three), the Brazilian midfielder acts as a tantalising source of Liverpool coverage prior to their road tie against Leicester.

Andre Ayew (6.7) was in danger of slipping completely off the radar, yet two goals and as many assists in three starts have thrust the Ghanaian back into the spotlight. Deployed as a striker against Everton in Francesco Guidolin’s midfield diamond set-up, Ayew could re-emerge as a premier asset in the mid-priced bracket if he continues to offer out-of-position potential.

Dele Alli’s (5.7) 13-point haul (his third in excess of 10 this season) against Palace underlined his ability to outdo his modest valuation. Crucially, Alli has scored in four of his last five road trips ahead of a visit to a Norwich defence that shipped five to Liverpool at Carrow Road in their last league test.

Riyad Mahrez (7.1) hasn’t scored in six matches but will be relishing the prospect of facing a Liverpool defence that’s allowed 10 goals in four fixtures. The Algerian returned with a mesmeric assist in the 3-0 win over Stoke and continues to warrant attention, despite the emergence of midfield alternatives.

Arguably the best player on the pitch when West Ham shared the spoils with Manchester City last weekend, Dimitri Payet (8.1) looks primed to outclass Villa’s lacklustre midfield. Aside from the Gameweek 12 encounter against Everton that saw Payet forced off early with injury, Slaven Bilic’s side have averaged two goals per home match with Payet on board.

In the event that the Gunners avenge their recent thrashing at the hands of Southampton, Mesut Ozil (10.0) could be key. There’s no doubt the German’s form has dipped but Arsenal desperately need a response after dropping to third in the title race last weekend.

Everton’s Goodison duel with the Magpies promises to be an end-to-end encounter, and, having scored at the Etihad last night, Ross Barkley (7.3) remains in our thoughts. The Newcastle defence is without a clean sheet since Gameweek 15.

We turn to David Silva in the City midfield after Kevin de Bruyne was ruled out for at least six weeks with the knee injury sustained during last night’s cup win over Everton. The Spaniard’s 12-point haul against Palace in Gameweek 22 is still fresh in the memory as he heads to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.

Forwards

Sergio Aguero (13.4) is a sure-fire selection in our Scout Picks. The City marksman has begun to display his unparalleled potential for explosive returns, with four goals and one assist in the last two Gameweeks reaffirming his status as the league’s strongest captaincy candidate ahead of a trip to the Stadium of Light.

Romelu Lukaku (9.2) has carded four blanks in as many outings but was inches away from breaking that barren spell on more than one occasion against the Swans. Furthermore, the Belgian will be licking his lips at the prospect of battling a Newcastle back line that ranks joint-fourth for goals conceded in away matches (23).

Assuming that Diego Costa (10.6) is passed fit following his injury scare against Arsenal, the striker’s recent form (five goals and two assists in five) will be difficult to ignore. Bolstering the case for Costa, the Hornets have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous six matches, conceding two or more goals on four occasions.

Having witnessed Norwich’s shambolic defending during their defeat to Liverpool, Harry Kane (10.0) will arrive in Norfolk with supreme confidence. Similarly, Jamie Vardy (7.2) snapped his six-match goalless streak against Stoke and will now look to punish Liverpool’s embattled back four.

On Standby

Delving into the players who are on the periphery of our thinking but could yet rise up the pecking order, Michail Antonio (5.3) immediately catches the eye. The Hammers’ powerful wide man lays claim to two goals and five assists in the last six Gameweeks, blanking only once over that spell.

Wilfried Zaha (5.3) may not possess eye-catching stats but claimed an assist last time out and showed the most impetus of any Eagles attacker. Staying within the capital, the fit-again Alexis Sanchez (10.8) looked sharp on his return from injury at Stamford Bridge, setting him up for a start against Saints – with 9% ownership, he looks the ultimate differential if he can hit form from the get-go.

Odion Ighalo (6.4) got his season back on track with a goal and an assist against Newcastle, producing the joint-third-most shots inside the box (three) among forwards. The Nigerian does face a tough task, though, given that visitors Chelsea have chalked up a clean sheet in each of their three road trips under Guus Hiddink.

Leicester left-back Christian Fuchs (4.8), meanwhile, placed second among defenders for key passes (six) across the previous four Gameweeks. Furthermore, he has earned seven bonus points in the last three occasions that the Foxes have served up a clean sheet.

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.

Gameweek 23’s Community Champion FrankietheGent beat us by 66 points to 59. Gameweek 24’s Community Champion, as selected by our lottery, is Doosra. This is his eighth season with 2014/15’s finish of 6,851 his highest. This is even more remarkable as Doosra spent a large chunk of last season in hospital battling a serious illness. Now on the mend he is a veteran that is set to unleash a fair few stat based differentials in his quest to beat the Scouts.

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.