Strong home games for Tottenham and Liverpool sees us back the pair at both ends of the pitch in this week’s Scout Picks. League leaders Arsenal also supply us with a couple of in-form options, while a certain Dutchman makes a welcome return as United make their way to basement-dwellers Sunderland:
Selecting a stopper proved a tricky one this week but with doubts surfacing over Michu’s availability for Swansea, we opt for Artur Boruc as Southampton play host to the Welsh club on Sunday afternoon. Four clean sheets in six and just two goals conceded is indicative of the Saints resilience this term – even if the Swans talisman recovers from a head wound in time, then, he’ll struggle to find a way past one of the most resolute rearguards in the top-flight.
A home game against West Ham brings Jan Vertonghen into the reckoning. The centre-half has earned bonus points every time Spurs have registered a clean sheet so far and with the Hammers finding the net in just one of their last five, defensive returns look on the cards at the Lane. Yet to find the net this term, Vertonghen will be desperate to return to the form that harvested five goals in his debut year last time out.
A trip to goal-shy Norwich brings Branislav Ivanovic into this week’s Picks. The Canaries have scored just twice in their last five matches, whilst Chelsea have conceded three times all season – despite John Terry’s scoring form, the Serbian carries the greater goal threat of the two and therefore edges his team-mate out of the picture.
Jose Enrique’s shift to the left of midfield is enough to convince us to draft in the Spaniard this weekend. Liverpool have conceded one goal at Anfield so far and visitors Palace have scored just once on their travels – the signs bode well for a clean sheet, then, whilst Enrique’s left-flank raids and out of position berth could deliver points further up the field.
Mesut Ozil is nailed-on this week as Arsenal roll up to the Hawthorns. With four assists in three appearances, the record buy has wasted little time in announcing himself as a genuine Fantasy force – a goal and assist in the midweek Champions League victory over Napoli highlights Ozil’s form as the Gunners go in search of a sixth straight league win.
Tottenham’s home clash with West Ham is simply too enticing to ignore Christian Eriksen. His playmaking talents have yet to really come to the fore in Fantasy terms but with so many strong forward options on offer right now, we overlook Roberto Soldado and turn instead to his fellow summer signing – the Dane’s creativity and set-pieces duties could prove a wise investment as Andre Villas-Boas’ side look to consolidate their top-four position.
With attacking returns in three of the first six Gameweeks, Peter Whittingham has been one of the most consistent performers around. The Bluebirds have already beaten City and drawn with Everton at home and with out-of-sorts Newcastle paying visit next, the 5.1 midfielder’s display could well prove instrumental for the Welsh outfit once again.
Victor Moses remains in our thinking for tomorrow’s Anfield encounter with former club Palace. Moved to the role in “the hole†in a 3-4-1-2 formation, the on loan midfielder remains a viable mid-price option for the weekend ahead, with a goal and three bonus points accrued in three appearances for the Merseysiders thus far.
Back with a bang and a double in last week’s taming of the Black Cats, Luis Suarez is welcomed into the Scout Picks for the first time this term. The Uruguayan is braced for his first Anfield appearances of the season against a Palace side that have conceded twice in each of their three away trips – while Daniel Sturridge offers a more than viable alternative to his strike partner, it’s Suarez, with over 41% of the votes in this week’s Captain Poll, who gets the nod.
Last season, he was virtually nailed-on as a Scout Pick choice but Robin Van Persie has failed to impress under David Moyes’ guidance so far. The Dutchman has mustered just a single converted spot-kick since Gameweek 1 but with Wayne Rooney a minor doubt for the champions’ trip to Sunderland, Van Persie’s eye for goal will be key against a Black Cats backline that has been breached three times in each of the last four league fixtures.
A trip to the Hawthorns will hold little fear for league leaders Arsenal. The Baggies have conceded in three of the four league games in Ben Foster’s absence and, with a goal or assist in five of his first six appearances, we’re backing top-scoring FPL forward Olivier Giroud to get the better of Steve Clarke’s side and continue the form that saw him notch against Napoli in the midweek Champions League win.
Cardiff’s Kevin Theophile Catherine is our cut-price bench-warming defender. As highlighted in last week’s Big Numbers article for members, his raids down the right flank have been a real highlight since arriving at the Welsh club in Gameweek 4 – potentially going head-to-head with Hatem Ben Arfa on the flank, he could be afforded plenty time and space to bomb forward and lend his weight to the hosts’ attacking plays.
Stephane Sessegnon gets the nod for West Brom’s home clash with Arsenal. For all their impressive attacking form, Arsene Wenger’s side have, nonetheless, conceded in all but one of their league fixtures thus far – the Baggies will be confident of grabbing a goal or two after plundering the points at Old Trafford and Sessegnon looks in the mood to produce.
Our final spot goes to Sone Aluko as Hull prepare for a home game with Villa. The loss of Robbie Brady is a bitter blow for the Tigers and Steve Bruce will be desperate for his side to step up in his star midfielder’s absence – with a goal and assist in the Gameweek 5 win at Newcastle, Aluko- at just 5.0 – may be the man for the occasion.
