Try as I might, I found it impossible to take risks in this week’s Scout Pick selection. Arsenal’s encounter with basement club West Ham proved too tempting at both ends of the field, while the promise of an improvement in Chelsea’s away form and Everton’s growing confidence put to use at home to Stoke, meant that I already had seven of my selection sorted. Add the explosive but consistent talents of Nani to that lot and I was almost done and dusted.
Unpredictable fixtures like Bolton at home to Liverpool and Fulham hosting Wigan, mixed with volatile local derbies at Newcastle and Villa hardly helped matters. This was not a Gameweek in which I could back risks with any real confidence when it came to my eleven, leaving it to the bench to provide some budget options from the drawer marked “leftfield”…
The Defence
Brad Friedel
The Villa stopper has quietly gone about his business in Fantasy terms, but still remains largely under the radar with budget keepers proving the popular trend. Villa’s defensive record is likely to go on improving under Houllier however, and with just a single goal conceded in four matches at Villa Park, they will go into the local derby with Birmingham confident of recording another shut-out.
Leighton Baines
I gave the nod to Seamus Coleman last week, only for Baines to crop up and live up to the billing I’d been giving him in previous weeks and curl home a sublime free-kick. The absence of Mikel Arteta was key to Baines getting the nod on that set-piece and the Spaniard could well be absent again when Stoke arrive at Goodison. Regardless of his set-piece opportunities, Baines’ raids down the left-flank will be a constant thorn in the side for Stoke, while defensive returns may also be on the cards, particularly if Kenwyne Jones fails to recover from flu for the visitors.
Ashley Cole
While Jose Bosingwa returned to offer a cheaper route to Chelsea clean sheets, the confirmation that Alex will start at Ewood has suddenly cast a massive cloud of rotation over his prospects of earning consecutive starts. That only helps promote the security offered by Cole within the league’s best defence. Chelsea’s trip to Ewood will provide another stern test on the road and, having failed to score in the last two away games, Carlo Ancelotti will be looking for improvement against Rovers. Cole continues to offer potential at both ends and remains the top heavyweight defender to select, ahead of the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and the injured Glen Johnson. Away form is faltering but Chelsea have still only conceded twice on their travels.
Gael Clichy
The Arsenal defence is often difficult to back and Clichy in particular, has failed to show the consistency to warrant investment. However, with Kieran Gibbs sidelined and West Ham in town, Clichy looks a nailed on starter and a strong bet for defensive returns along with the promise of some attacking points thrown in. Our Members stats show that the Arsenal left-back is amongst the most involved Defenders in the league – sooner or later that is going to translate into an assist or two and West Ham at home appears to offer decent potential as a starting point.
Carlos Salcido
While a certain Mexican striker in United colours grabs all the headlines, Fulham’s own export from those shores has failed to ignite in Fantasy terms. A home fixture with Wigan offers promise however and, despite the visitors’ habit of spoiling the best laid plans, I’m willing to be consistent in my backing of Salcido and tip him for profit from the Gameweek.
The Midfield
Cesc Fabregas
Back in his familiar position in the Scout Picks, the Gunners skipper will surely be set for an extended run if he can show the kind of form he demonstrated last season. A home fixture with basement club West Ham is the ideal platform for Fabregas to display his Fantasy credentials and those who go into the weekend without him will either be hoping that Samir Nasri can continue his convincing impersonation, or watch for the Emirates scoreline to tick through clenched fingers. The thought of Fabregas coming out of this weekend without at least Bonus returns seems very remote.
Nani
The United man has become a Scout Picks fixture this season and even against stern opposition, continues to demand selection. The clash with Tottenham could be edgy but Nani has the unpredictable weapons to blow down the Spurs doors and will doubtless be a major influence on the outcome of what’s likely to be a tight game.
Tim Cahill
While playmaker Arteta struggles with a hamstring injury, Cahill edges above him when it comes to considering a midfield option in David Moyes’ outfit. A huge threat to the opponents goal, Stoke will feel that they have the tools at the back to cope with his considerable aerial threat but Cahill has more to his game. His ability to arrive late on the end of Coleman and Baines deliveries will surely be a feature at Goodison and the Aussie looks a strong bet for further returns in what is turning into yet another productive season in front of goal.
Ashley Young
The derby match with Birmingham could well be a tight affair but Birmingham arrive at Villa Park with a defence that has conceded more than 2 goals a game on their travels. That would indicate that Villa should find some joy with the likes of Stewart Downing, Stephen Ireland and Emile Heskey all strong contenders for returns. Ashley Young just sneaks it for me, mainly due to his added Bonus Point potential. Having gathered two maximum hauls so far this season, Young could well be in line to add to that tally should Villa claim the victory.
The Forwards
Didier Drogba
While the Ivorian’s form is beginning to frustrate, it’s almost unthinkable to consider that Chelsea will go a third consecutive away game without a goal and when Ancelotti’s team score, Drogba is invariably involved. Fernando Torres at Bolton and Berbatov/Hernandez at home to Spurs offer strong alternatives in the heavyweight division, but with Nani covering United’s attacking output and doubts over Liverpool’s attacking credentials at the Reebok, I’ll back Drogba even against Big Sam’s resolute Ewood defence.
Marouanne Chamakh
Now under severe threat form Nicklas Bendtner on the bench, the Moroccan may well be restricted to a 65 minute outing at home to West Ham but that should be enough to see him inflict damage. West Ham arrive at the Emirates with Matt Upson a major doubt and, having seen them struggle against Andy Carroll’s aerial power, it seems likely that Chamakh’s head will be a major threat to Robert Green’s goal.
In Reserve
While City’s trip to Wolves looks likely to return defensive points for Mancini’s back four, Mick McCarthy’s side have shown enough in recent games to suggest that they have a goal in them, particularly if Matt Jarvis can produce the form he displayed at Old Trafford in midweek. As a result, I’ve chosen to look to the Newcastle vs Sunderland clash for a possible cleanie and opted for the home side’s Spanish full-back – Jose Enrique. Elmohomady offers a stronger attacking potential for the visitors but I can see a narrow home win in this game with Chris Hughton’s side perhaps coming out of it with a rare shut-out. Danny Simpson offers the ultimate budget option here, but Enrique has the stronger influence going forward and gets the nod on my bench.
West Brom are brimming with confidence and arrive at Blackpool looking likely to translate that into goals and points. Chris Brunt is of course the obvious choice in their midfield with his incisive passing and set-piece influence, but my selection of James Morrison in last week’s Picks almost brought reward with several close efforts on goal. I’ll stick with Morrison again here then to offer a strong bargain basement option. *Edit* This was written before Morrison was revealed as an injury doubt for Monday’s game. I’ll keep faith that he’ll start but Brunt is now the safer option.
Up front I’ve ignored the potential of Johan Elmander against the less-than-secure Liverpool rearguard. He came close but in the end I’ve gone for Fulham’s Mousa Dembele who, against Wigan at the Cottage, will get the opportunity to boost his reputation which took a sudden nosedive as a result of his injury back in Gameweek 5. Dembele has a major influence on Fulham’s attacking play and would be line for Bonus Points at the very least should Mark Hughes’ side seal the win.
