The final gameweek of the season draws one last flourish from the Scout Picks. A Saturday lunchtime publish comes accompanied by a three-part preview, breaking down my thoughts in detail going into the Premier League climax.
Our first article starts matters at the back, a troublesome area of our Fantasy squads all season. The finale offers familiar issues, with the relegation battle and mid-table slumber offering us little optimism for improve defensive returns. A season which began with us eagerly snaffling up the out-of-positions prospects offered by Sunderland’s Elmohamady and Everton’s Seamus Coleman, ends with us scanning for similar opportunities in the final week. Fortunately, a couple of worthy candidates have emerged.
The Defence
Joe Hart retains his selection in goal following another clean sheet against Stoke on Monday. The City defence has emerged as the most secure in the Premier League in a season where clean sheets have, as a rule, been hard to predict. Hart’s tip to the Reebok on Sunday will be far from routine and he is likely to face a one-on-one duel with shot-happy Daniel Sturridge over the course of 90-minutes. Hart’s talents are undoubted however and it would not come as a surprise if he plays his part in another City shut-out, despite Bolton’s best efforts.
When news of Kevin Doyle’s recurring knee problem broke earlier this week, it sealed Stephen Ward’s start in Mick McCarthy’s lineup for the crucial relegation battle with Blackburn. It also cemented his Scout Pick selection. Ward is available as a defender across the Fantasy games, with a price tag of just 4.4 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. With Doyle likely to be on the bench at best, McCarthy is set to keep faith with the Irishman in the support striker role up behind the in-form Steven Fletcher. That gives Ward attacking potential in a side that has scored six goals in their last two matches, while his clean sheet prospects against a Blackburn outfit that’s struggling for a cutting edge, also look favourable.
With Peter Odemwingie missing from the West Brom attack at Newcastle, the prospects of Alan Pardew’s side keeping a shut-out took a dramatic turn for the better. While the Magpies have been hopelessly inconsistent this term, they have in patches, provided a decent source of Fantasy talent in attacking quarters. Despite the form of Jose Enrique at left-back, their defence has largely been a no-go area for Fantasy Managers. However, over the last two weeks, Steven Taylor has cropped up with two goals to remind us of his potential while namesake Ryan Taylor has earned starts as a result of injuries and suspensions. The former Wigan man looks set to start in a midfield role and his direct free-kick efforts are Fantasy folklore. Available at just 3.9 in the FPL, Taylor is ideal budget fodder to help find the funds for bigger fish elsewhere.
Where would Tottenham be in the table had Michael Dawson and Ledley King in their defence for the majority of the season? The pair combined for a determined showing at Anfield last time out to earn an unlikely clean sheet – Tottenham’s first in seven outings. While King could be an absentee for the home clash with Birmingham, Dawson looks a certain starter and will once again form a major barrier for the opposition. Birmingham arrive at the Lane clinging to Premier League status but, the fact remains, Alex McLeish’s side lack a proven cutting edge. Dawson looks well placed for further returns on Sunday.
The final spot in the defence is awarded to Leighton Baines – unquestionably the defender of the season from a Fantasy perspective. His clash with Chelsea at Goodison is a troubling one – there is a lack of motivation for both sides which could erupt into a goalfest, but seems more likely to return a low-tempo affair with few goals. Baines will, as always, be a leading figure for Everton and, with clean sheets uncertain elsewhere, deserves the nod for the final gameweek.
Returns elsewhere look limited. You can always take a gamble on Alex Ferguson’s second string centre-backs but I see the value of Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans reduced by Blackpool’s desire for a win and unquestionable goal threat. The Fulham defence looks likely to be breached by Arsenal’s attack, while Stoke’s impressive home form is surely threatened up by Wigan’s need for a result at the Britannia.
Aston Villa’s encounter with Liverpool, like Everton’s with Chelsea, could potentially fall flat and offer defensive returns and, for this reason, I’ve gone with Liverpool’s young John Flanagan on my bench. For a long-shot I fancy West Ham to provide their fans with some cheer against a Sunderland side without a recognised striker. We’ve written off Sunderland in previous gameweeks and they’ve duly proved us wrong but, this time around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hammers nick a narrow win with set-piece threat Manuel Da Costa looking an option for those seeking a real leftfield pick.
