It’s Gameweek 2 of our Scout Picks revolution, where every Friday, myself, Mark, Jonty and a different member of the Community pick an XI for the upcoming round of fixtures. Each week, our line-ups go head-to-head and over the course of the season we’ll keep a tally of the points as we go.
With player prices on the rise this week, we’ve increased our budgets from 83.0m to 83.5m apiece.
Our final Scout Picks (published in the top right as normal) reflect the most popular players amongst those four teams, obviously within a valid budget and formation. Click here to find out more and get involved in future Gameweeks.
The Community – Managed by HVT
Chelsea players look essential this week and I feel Eden Hazard may be worth the extra cash over Cesc Fabregas, despite the Belgian’s Gameweek 1 blank. Diego Costa picks himself and John Terry gives me defensive coverage as I triple up on the West London side’s players.
I’ve also heavily backed Swansea in their plum home fixture versus Burnley. Gylfi Sigurdsson will do well and I think Wilfried Bony can open his account here, while Ashley Williams offers strong clean sheet potential. Southampton have a slightly trickier tie at home to West Bromwich Albion, but after their display in Gameweek 1, I’m backing Nathaniel Clyne and Dusan Tadic to bring the community some points this week.
Hugo Lloris looks the most secure and budget-friendly Tottenham option, while in attack I’ve opted for Christian Eriksen over Emmanuel Adebayor as my Spurs cover. Finally, although Sergio Aguero was in contention for the third forward slot, Wayne Rooney is a reliable performer and I believe the Sunderland away game will suit Manchester United’s new style.
Jonty
With rotation concerns in the Spurs backline I’ve opted for the dull security of 5.5m goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. John Terry is another safe and boring pick at the back as I cling to the hope that this is the week he scores his first goal of the campaign. James Chester’s value and fixture make him a must for me in defence, as does the points potential at both ends of the pitch of Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne.
A potential role in the hole, or even up front, for cut-price Hull man Tom Ince has propelled him into my thoughts. Form and fixtures have conspired to ensure Cesc Fabregas and Gylfi Sigurdsson were the first names on my teamsheet. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen may not have had the best Gameweek 1 but, at home against QPR, I’m banking on him to rack up the points.
As with last week I’ve opted for a heavyweight strikeforce. Diego Costa is expected to run riot against Leicester, while Wayne Rooney’s assist potential increases should Robin van Persie make the starting XI. A seemingly fit Sergio Aguero at home is too good an opportunity to turn down, and a player that could prove a differential for me in this week’s picks – even though Aguero could be benched, I still fancy him to nick at least a goal as a substitute.
Mark
There are clearly two main talking points in my XI. I’ve gone for Eden Hazard over Cesc Fabregas, simply because I think the debate has only just begun with these two. Yes, the Spaniard was imperious at Turf Moor but Hazard remains a key player, a creative force and a scorer of goals from open play and spot-kicks. I don’t see backing Hazard as a risk, even at the expense of Fabregas.
The other key decision was how to back Swansea against Burnley at the Liberty. I’ve opted for Wilfried Bony up front and omitted Gylfi Sigurdsson – I just see Bony’s threat coming to the fore on Saturday, with Garry Monk perhaps tempted to shift to 4-4-2 and start with Bafetimbi Gomis, with Sigurdsson shifted wide. I’ve also stuck with Wayne Rooney up front – even if Robin van Persie returns, Rooney is the man in form and, as skipper, has the responsibility to drag United to a result at the Stadium of Light.
Both Dusan Tadic and Tom Ince are strong differential material in midfield, and I’ve decided to give Christian Eriksen the benefit of the doubt over Emmanuel Adebayor for my Spurs cover at home to QPR. I’m slightly nervy about turning my back on Arsenal but Goodison is a tough place to go after the testing trip to Turkey and the Mikel Arteta injury could be unsettling.
Paul
I’m keeping faith in the same three Chelsea players from last week, with John Terry, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa included as the Blues welcome Leicester to the Bridge.
Hull managed eight clean sheets at home last year and the goal threat of Curtis Davies gets the nod as Stoke pay visit. Tottenham’s Younes Kaboul looks assured of a start at home to QPR after being rested from midweek European duties. In goal, Fraser Forster comes in for Southampton’s home encounter with West Brom.
I’ve gone with the in-form Gylfi Sigurdsson for the visit of Burnley – I don’t fancy their defence, with just two shut-outs in 15 matches under Garry Monk. With 16 goals and 14 assists for FC Twente last term, Dusan Tadic is my Southampton attacker of choice for the Baggies clash. Spurs spot-kick taker Emmanuel Adebayor comes in up front for the QPR showdown at the Lane.
For the final two spots, I place my faith in the statistics. When on the pitch, Aaron Ramsey played a part in 57.1% of Arsenal’s away goals last year, while Wayne Rooney scored or assisted 65.4% of United’s away strikes when on the field in 2013/14.
The Scores So Far..
Five points separated the four teams in Gameweek 1. Jonty leads the way on 53 points, with the Community (managed by current Fantasy Premier League number one Tom Fenley last week) in second on 52 points, with Mark on 50 points and myself on 48 points.
