Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 2

Just a couple of days after Gameweek 1 closed its doors, we’re bracing ourselves for another round of fixtures. Home comforts help Tottenham, Stoke and Everton supply us with a couple of starters apiece, while a pair of in-form Manchester-based frontmen get the nod ahead of tomorrow morning’s deadline:

We select Southampton stopper Artur Boruc between the sticks as he prepares for a home clash with Sunderland. A clean sheet against West Brom last weekend maintained the defensive resolve that saw the Saints concede just nine times in the final 10 Gameweeks of the season gone by – the Pole looks a solid cut-price option across the Fantasy games.

Rested for last night’s Europa League romp away to Dinamo Tblisi, Jan Vertonghen returns to the Tottenham fold for Sunday’s home game with Swansea. The centre-half kicked off his campaign with an eight-point haul thanks to a couple of bonus points and clean sheet at Palace – his eye for goal harvested five strikes last time out and could come to the fore once more as Michael Laudrup’s men make their way to the Lane.

Robert Huth gets the nod for Stoke’s home game against promoted Crystal Palace tomorrow afternoon. The big German offered plenty attacking threat against Liverpool last week and had more efforts on goal that any Potters player – Huth offers decent potential of points at both ends of the pitch as Mark Hughes looks to grab the points in his first match at the Britannia.

A goal, assist and maximum bonus points away to Norwich last week has earned Seamus Coleman an early-season bandwagon. As highlighted in this week’s Technical Area, Roberto Martinez’s 4-3-3 affords the right-back plenty opportunity to forage forward and provide width from deep, allowing Kevin Mirallas to drift into more central areas – a home clash with West Brom looks enticing for the Republic of Ireland international as Martinez gears up for his first game in charge of the Goodison faithful.

We double up on Everton’s assets by giving the nod to Kevin Mirallas. Joint-top scorer in pre-season with four goals to his name, the Belgian’s goal potential has taken a turn for the better under Martinez after being moved to the right of the Toffees front three – classified as a midfielder across the Fantasy games, Mirallas’ mid-price appeal could well be set to flourish against the out-of-sorts Baggies tomorrow.

He may have drawn a blank in last Saturday’s surprise home defeat by Villa but we hand Theo Walcott another chance to impress in this week’s Scout Picks. The Arsenal winger was in sparkling form on Wednesday evening, providing a pair of assists in the 3-0 Champions League win at Fenerbahce, and may be set to run riot against a Fulham side hit hard by injuries to Maarten Stekelenburg, Fernando Amorebieta and Kieran Richardson at the back.

He may have failed to deliver the goods against Stoke last time out but, as s highlighted in our recent Monitor article for Members,Philippe Coutinho showed plenty attacking endeavour. The Liverpool winger makes his way to the midlands to face a Villa side that have now conceded in each of their last 24 league fixtures – a home clean sheet looks far from likely at Villa Park, with every chance Coutinho will be the hosts’ chief tormentor.

Having missed a last-minute spot-kick in last week’s narrow Anfield defeat, Jon Walters has much to make amends for. Luckily for the Stoke midfielder, he’s been handed a plum home tie with Crystal Palace this weekend – the ideal platform for Mark Hughes to pick up the points in his first home match in charge at the Britannia.

Granted, there are fears over rotation up top at City but Edin Dzeko has surely done enough to retain his starting role with a superb showing against Newcastle on Monday evening. He may not have scored but the Bosnian had more goal attempts than any other forward in the Gameweek and looks full of confidence as City roll up to Championship winners Cardiff. With Manuel Pellegrini easing Sergio Aguero back into action with a 60-minute appearance against the Magpies and Stevan Jovetic a fitness worry, Dzeko looks in pole position to produce against the Bluebirds.

With a double in the Community Shield against Wigan followed by a two-goal haul away to Swansea, it’s business as usual for Robin Van Persie. Sir Alex Ferguson may have exited Old Trafford but the Dutchman remains as deadly as ever – a first home game of the season against Chelsea is by no means easy but we’re backing him to produce yet again.

Roberto Soldado warmed up for the visit of Swansea by bagging a brace in Tottenham’s Europa League romp at Dinamo Tblisi. With a spot-kick winner against Palace in Gameweek 1, the summer signing from Valencia has made an instant impact at the Lane and leads this week’s Captain Poll heading into tomorrow’s transfer deadline.

A home game against West Ham brings Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa onto the Scout Picks bench. With Steven Taylor suspended, the January signing will shift into centre-half alongside Fabricio Coloccini against the Hammers – granted, the Magpies were far from impressive at City but bearing in mind their visitors scored just 11 times on the road over the entirety of 2012/13, a home clean sheet may well be on the cards.

We’re backing Hatem Ben Arfa to deliver the goods and help lift the Tyneside gloom against the Hammers tomorrow. Fielded on the right of a front three against City, the Frenchman looked the most likely to threaten the Etihad clean sheet , firing more efforts at goal than any team mate – with a strong upcoming run of four fixtures (WHM, FUL, avl, FUL) on his agenda, Ben Arfa looks a viable mid-price contender over the short-term.

Having notched the winner on his international debut, Southampton’s Rickie Lambert opened his domestic account for the season with a last-minute spot-kick garnering the points at West Brom. A first game at St Mary’s see Sunderland pay visit this weekend and with his form flourishing, Lambert could be the difference as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to hand the Black Cats back-to-back defeats.

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2,090 Comments Post a Comment
  1. spiderman2099
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Is Kosc (price-dropping tonight) a season keeper? An Arsenal df at 5.5 is the business, schurrle?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      No Arteta = Arsenal fail.

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  2. Tornado
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Nolan, snodgrass or Ben arfa?

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    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Barfa.

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      1. Tornado
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Fixtures? Or just because on penalties

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        1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Both. Four home games in five (HBA does well at home) and pens, etc. Nolan not a bad call, but Barfa is where I would go now.

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    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Nolan. I am certain he'll score against his old club. Certain.

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  3. The Hound
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    sorry if this has been asked already but just gone in from work. Fiso is claiming abnormal things like 60k transfers in for rise and 75 transferred in per day for multiple players. Yet rise percentages look to be normal. Before it was like just over 35% for a rise. Wats going on here?

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    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure what you're on about, but you need 100% for a rise. NTI changes from week to week and player to player. Not sure your question is clear.

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      1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        *target NTI

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  4. Beamer
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    2 players from stoke in scouts picks. Interesting.. I hope walters get double digit points..

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    1. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      2 Newcastle players on the Scench as well. Very surprised at that. Fancy a West Ham win tomorrow.

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  5. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Yeah, that's right, I have RVP and I'll be waiting all weekend to see if that works out. But I won't need to worry because of all the points Altidore will already have scored! Yeeeaaaahhhh!

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  6. Scottys Army
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    repost

    how do you think my team looks for this week ?

    My team for GW2

    boruc

    coleman huth clyne

    ben arfa coutinho michu walcott (VC) cazorla

    soldado sturridge (C)

    subs lewis chamakh collins b turner

    thanks in advance

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  7. New Article Posted
    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers... glad to see this back 🙂

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  8. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you keep for the game at Old Trafford.

    Hazard or Oscar?

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    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I'm keeping Oscar. So why do I worry I'l regret it?

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  9. Reed_Rothchild
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Navas or Silva? Navas' crosses and work rate intrigue me.

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  10. floydy_floyd
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Telegraph saying arsenal will bid £40m for benzema. Anyone else think he's not worth anything near that?

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    1. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Me

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      He was appalling last year. No a chance we would bid that amount for such a risk. Not to mention the fact that the french national coach doesn't believe a Benzema-Giroud combo works at all.

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      1. floydy_floyd
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Well I imagine he would displace giroud as the lone wolf. No way worth 40m , iv never rated him that highly tbh.

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    3. Exilizer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Yep me. He's overrated.

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  11. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    GW 4 RVP plan well on course. Just need RVP's price to stay at 14m till next Friday.

    Anyone else going down the same route?

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    1. Coops3
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Hate to say it but not sure that's likely. He'll rise in 3 or 4 days I'd say, though I guess it depends on what happens this weekend.

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  12. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Right, abandon the Chelsea ship, rotation will be a bastard.

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  13. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Btw, Vets, grats on the 100 pts barrier!

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  14. Pepe the Frog
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    RMT pls:

    Boruc (Cech)
    Coleman Murner Toure (Chester, Burner)
    Mirallas Hazard Wally(vc) Coutinho Snodgrass
    Soldaldo(c) Benteke (Anelka)

    Stuck between Murner or Chester? Anyone thinks Chester may be better played this GW?..

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    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Play both and bench Kolo esp if you've got Tekkers?

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    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It's a toughie though. Toure could score - I've got the same dilemma and I might just toss a coin

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  15. Sulk
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Please can you rmwct?

    Davies mignolet
    Zab lescott vertonghen (c). shaw Coleman
    Nolan hba miralles Walcott Barkley
    Giroud benteke soldado

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    1. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Zab and Lescott? Vertonghen captain? Coleman riding the bench? I wouldn't want this team.

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  16. hammersp2000
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hi guys

    Which combo is best

    1) Walcott and snodgrass

    Or

    2) mirallas and Nolan

    Opinions anyone .

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    1. moehassan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      2

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  17. New Post
  18. Viper
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    So is everyone that owns RVP captaining him? (No sarcastic non-RVP owner comments please 🙂 )

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Theodore for me

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    2. Barrier Freeman
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Silva for me.

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    3. Coops3
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I am. Was going to go with Soldado but I Captained Hazard last week and regretted it, I'm sick of learning this lesson - RVP is remaining captain from now on!

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    4. Slacker
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Dzeko.

      I also like to live dangerously.

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  19. Cesc's old mullet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Little help here : should I play Lukaku or Hazard?

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Haz

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      1. Cesc's old mullet
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        might sound stupid but I have a bad feeling about benching Lukaku after what he did to United last season...

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  20. Ben Mee Over A Table
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who do you think will be the 3 top scoring forwards this week and what do you think their scores will be?

    Soldado 13
    Dzeko 11
    Aguero 10

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  21. Deulo10
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Think I'm keeping Lukaku after all... :S Think he might start

    For my free transfer Ivan --> Zabaleta or Huth or Shaw?

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  22. wee man
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Collins / Barkley / M Turner
    Which 2 guys?

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  23. Shah_State
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Soldado or Aguero? Michu to keep in this week? Silva for Michu or Cazorla... Suggestions?

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    1. moehassan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      A - Coutinho + Giroud
      B - Sturidge + Walcot

      1- Navas
      2 - Silva

      please help me A or B .. 1 or 2

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    2. moehassan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      soldado .. silva

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  24. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    good to go for tomorrow or worth taking a hit to lose lukaku ?

    Mignolet

    Coleman Chester Shaw

    Walcott Koren Mirallas Hazard

    RVP Giroud Lukaku

    Subs: Lewis, Kim Murner Brayford

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  25. Kaja
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Choose captain!

    a) Silva

    b) Dzeko

    c) Lambert

    d) Wallcot

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    1. Brumfor1st
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Wally

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  26. Brumfor1st
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Dzeko or Lambert for the new 6gws?!

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    1. Kaja
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      My plan is swap Dzeko to Benteke after gw3.

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  27. Btl
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Changes to make??

    Cech (Davis)
    Ivanovic Mertesacker Zabaleta (Whittaker) (Baker)
    Hazard Nolan Paulinho Colback Johnson
    Benteke RvP (Anelka)

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    1. moehassan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      cech ivanovic hazard .. too much against manchester

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  28. Terminal Velocity
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    guys how accurate is the guardian for team lineups as they have dzeko on the bench

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Might happen...would be harsh on him.

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  29. beanz87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    A) anelka>lambert

    B) anelka>dzeko

    C)anelka,lukaku>lambert,dzeko

    Help please?

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    1. the_mongoose
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I've got the same problem!
      Thinking about doing both (scored 83 though in GW1, not sure if its worth it though)
      Out of the 2, Lambert is the best option IMO.
      I have Shaw & Zabaletta for coverage already

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  30. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Currently on RVP captain, but tempted by Benteke. Unlikey both of them will score a brace again!

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