It’s a tricky one this week. While both Bolton and Villa have hardly been producing the goods, it’s getting to that time of year where a safety-first approach is often overlooked by Fantasy managers, with punts and differentials a commonplace tactic. The duo’s upcoming double Gameweek affords both a chance of points in their battle to beat the drop and, as such, the Scout Selection Committee is willing to stick our neck out here a little more than usual:
Adam Bogdan gets the nod ahead of Bolton’s pair of fixtures. While Bolton haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last nine, the visit of Swansea could prove profitable – Brendan Rodgers’ side have failed to notch in three of their last five fixtures. A trip to Villa then follows next Tuesday – Alex McLeish’s side have hardly been scoring with regularity, notching twice in their last three. The chances are that the Trotters could concede in both, meaning Bogdan’s save points propel him in our thinking ahead of any other defensive option from Owen Coyle’s side.
James Collins is also drafted in, with a couple of home games to potentially prosper from. As mentioned in this morning’s Watchlist article, Villa may well have reason to be optimistic heading into their double Gameweek – Sunderland have failed to score in their last three, while Bolton haven’t scored in their last two. Collins has returned six or more points in two of his last three at Villa Park, suggesting he’s the most likely Villain to benefit over the upcoming Gameweek.
We’ve opted for the solid and reliable Danny Simpson ahead of Newcastle’s home clash with Stoke. The Magpies head into the match in strong defensive form – just a single goal conceded in their last five is indicative of their recent resilience. With the Potters having scored just three times in their last seven on the road, Alan Pardew’s side look a good bet to nullify their opponents’ danger.
With a single goal conceded at Old Trafford in the last seven and, indeed, just one goal against in the previous seven Gameweeks, Jonny Evans is once again drafted in. The 5.6 priced centre-half has also picked up attacking returns in two of his last three home matches and, with United sure to attack as they seek to remain clear of City prior to next week’s Etihad trip, Evans’ security at the back looks good value ahead of the visit of Everton.
It’s impossible to overlook Clint Dempsey this weekend. While the return to fitness of Pavel Pogrebnyak may result in a move back to midfield, the US international’s eye for goal has seen him notch regardless of position. Wigan will be no pushovers tomorrow but Dempsey has already netted against the Latics this term and comes into the Cottage showdown with three back-to-back double figure returns.
Martin Petrov looks the best bet of any Bolton’s attacking assets. The Bulgarian has started the last five for Owen Coyle’s side and has been afforded more game time than the likes of Ryo Miyaichi or Chris Eagles on the flanks, returning a goal and assist in his last four. With spot-kicks duties also in the bag, Petrov looks to have the best potential to produce the points for those Fantasy managers contemplating the Trotters’ assets ahead of the games against Swansea and Villa.
With six goals in just seven away appearances, Gylfi Sigurdsson is an obvious choice. The Icelandic international continues to lead the way for midfielders in terms of points per game – an average of 6.4 leaves Dempsey trailing in his wake in second place. A win at the Reebok would ensure Swansea’s top-flight safety and, if anyone is likely to lead Brendan Rodgers’ side to victory, Sigurdsson is surely the man for the occasion.
We only had one place for United attacking options ahead of Everton’s trip to Old Trafford this weekend and, with that in mind, have handed the slot to Antonio Valencia. With Leighton Baines sidelined for the Toffees, the Ecuadorian is likely to be up against Phil Neville on the visitors’ left – while there’s an argument that Valencia will be afforded less freedom with Neville likely to sit deep and maraud forward far less than Baines, whether he will handed the winger’s pace is another matter entirely.
Robin Van Persie leads the line as Arsenal face up to Chelsea at the Emirates. The Dutchman has been anything but a potent source of points in recent matches but we’ve every confidence in a return to form. With Roberto Di Matteo likely to rest and rotate ahead of next week’s trip to Barcelona, the Arsenal skipper has the chance to pick up the points once again and boost his side’s chance of a third place finish after Monday night’s bitterly disappointing home defeat by Wigan.
The impact of Carlos Tevez on City’s recent form cements his place in the Scout Picks. We backed Tevez last time round and the Argentine didn’t let us down, returning a 19 point haul in the 6-1 romp at Carrow Road last Saturday afternoon. Roberto Mancini’s men seem set for yet another bumper day out this weekend, with a trip to basement-dwellers Wolves surely affording the Etihad side further opportunity of racking up the goals in their pursuit of United at the top of the table.
Papiss Cisse was one of the first names on the team sheet. Eight goals and a total of 59 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points in his last five games sums up his unstoppable form and, with visitors Stoke taking just two points from their last six on the road, Cisse’s recent breath-taking displays look likely to continue tomorrow, with Alan Pardew’s side seeking a sixth straight win to boost their chances of a European place next term.
On the bench, we’ve opted for Martin Skrtel as West Brom roll up to Anfield. While Liverpool have failed to impress in the league in recent games, one look at the visitors’ recent form on the road gives us confidence. The Baggies have notched a single goal in their last four matches on the road and, with Skrtel’s aerial threat from set-pieces and corners also factored in, he offers the best chance of points at both ends of the pitch from any of Kenny Dalglish’s backline. Daniel Agger was also under consideration – the Dane has climbed off the bench and provided an assist in each of his last two games.
Hatem Ben Arfa was more than a little unlucky just to make the subs bench. Since nailing down a starting role in Gameweek 28, the Frenchman has grabbed three goals and four assists, playing a part in seven of Newcastle’s last eleven goals and returning an average of just over eight points per game. His trickery on the right is sure to be a key part of the Magpies’ attacking ploys at the Sports Direct Arena tomorrow afternoon
Andreas Weimann is another punt from the double Gameweek brigade. The young Austrian looks to have recently established a place as a first-team regular under Alex McLeish and, while Gabby Agbonlahor continues to misfire, Weimann has grabbed goals in two of his last three at Villa Park – priced at 5.0, he’s a decent budget option with two home games to come.
