The Scout previews Gameweek 25

With six of the top eight going head-to-head in the Barclays Premier League, The Scout analyses the upcoming Gameweek before we take a break for the FA Cup Fifth Round next weekend.

Saturday’s early kick-off sees Manchester United entertain Liverpool, with the hosts looking to avenge their recent FA Cup exit at the hands of Kenny Dalglish’s side. Sunderland’s brilliant run of form will be put to the test by the visit of Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger’s men buoyed by last weekend’s drubbing of Blackburn Rovers.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur play host to Newcastle United, Manchester City travel to Aston Villa, with Roberto Mancini’s side desperate to improve their recent poor away form, and Everton will be looking to end Chelsea’s five-match unbeaten run at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Talking tactics

A knee injury to Leon Best looks likely to afford new signing Papiss Demba Cisse a start alongside Demba Ba in the Newcastle first XI. Cisse came on as a substitute for the injured Best last weekend and capped a memorable debut with a brilliant winner, fitting seamlessly alongside his compatriot up front. With Ba also finding the net in the 2-1 win, Alan Pardew’s side will be brimming with confidence as they make their way to White Hart Lane.

Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Javier Hernandez after the Mexican netted the equaliser in last Sunday’s thrilling fight-back at Stamford Bridge. With the Manchester United manager ruing his decision not to start Hernandez at Chelsea, The Scout reckons he won’t make the same mistake again, with Danny Welbeck likely to make way as Hernandez takes his place alongside Wayne Rooney up front for the visit of Liverpool.

Juan Mata revelled in a more central role last weekend in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Manchester United. The Spaniard tucked in behind Fernando Torres, as Andre Villas-Boas rolled out a 4-2-3-1 formation, and was rewarded with a goal and assist for a stand-out display against the champions. With Mata producing such a pivotal performance, he seems likely to continue through the middle, with Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda afforded roles on the flanks for Saturday’s trip to Everton.

Mick McCarthy’s decision to switch to a 4-4-2 against Queens Park Rangers last weekend saw Wolverhampton Wanderers come back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Loftus Road. Granted, the home side were down to ten men by then but the goal and assist contribution of substitute Kevin Doyle will have given McCarthy food for thought. Doyle has started just one of Wolves’ last eight matches but could force his way into the first-team plans ahead of this week’s derby with West Bromwich Albion. With on loan star Emmanuel Frimpong back at parent club Arsenal after a season-ending injury, Dave Edwards could drop back into central midfield should McCarthy opt for a front two.

By the numbers

The Scout continues to dig out the “differentials”, this time focusing on bonus point (BP) allocation. Analysing those players owned by less than 5% of Fantasy Premier League managers, we highlight the top ten according to their respective BP hauls:

With 15 BP, Javier Hernandez has earned only 2 less than Wayne Rooney for Manchester United. Owned by just 3% of Fantasy managers, the Mexican has been unable to string together a consistent run of matches but his 8 goals have proved vital to his side- the champions have never lost when Hernandez has found the net this term.

Liverpool pair Glen Johnson and Craig Bellamy feature prominently. Johnson failed to start until Gameweek 9 but has shown a remarkable consistency, producing BP in six of his sixteen first-team appearances. With 8 clean sheets also returned, his 0.8% ownership is the lowest of our highlighted individuals. Bellamy is often prone to rotation, and has started just eight times this term under Kenny Dalglish. The Welshman has proved reliable when handed a first-team opportunity, returning 6 goals, 2 assists and 12 BP for his owners.

Mikel Arteta has picked up BP in seven of his nineteen appearances for Arsenal this season. With Robin Van Persie tending to grab the maximum more often than not, the Spaniard has still managed to consistently deliver for his Fantasy owners, with 5 goals and a single assist to his name all season.

Matt Etherington’s average of 4.3 points per game is the highest of any Stoke City player. Owned by just 3.0% of Fantasy managers, the winger has mainly been overlooked in favour of Jon Walters from Tony Pulis’ side, but has still returned 2 goals and 5 assists, in addition to 12 BP, from nineteen starts.

James McClean has been a Fantasy sensation since Martin O’Neill’s arrival at Sunderland. Overlooked by previous manager Steve Bruce, McClean has been instrumental in the Black Cats’ rise up the table, returning 2 goals, 2 assists and 12 BP in just six starts.

Ones to watch

Adel Taarabt – the Moroccan was afforded a start in his first match back from the African Cup of Nations by Mark Hughes and made an immediate impression on his new manager. Taarabt was nothing more than a bit-part player towards the end of the Neil Warnock regime but looks set to be a pivotal figure under Hughes as the Loftus Road outfit battle relegation. With a trip to Blackburn Rovers next on the agenda, the stage is set for Taarabt to weave his magic on the left flank.

Bryan Ruiz – with Bobby Zamora off to QPR and new signing Pavel Pogrebnyak still awaiting international clearance to start his Premier League career, the Costa Rican looks set to be handed a more attacking role this weekend. With Clint Dempsey likely to lead the line, Ruiz should tuck in behind the American and, playing in “the hole”, produced an assist for Dempsey in Fulham’s last home match. With Stoke City devoid of the suspended Robert Huth, Ruiz’s creative abilities should prove significant as Martin Jol’s side look to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Manchester City.

Jamie O’Hara – back after a prolonged absence caused by a double-hernia operation, the former Tottenham man is set for his first home appearance since Gameweek 14. O’Hara welcomes West Brom this weekend and, with 2 goals and 3 assist in his last three Molineux matches prior to being sidelined, could prove the difference as Mick McCarthy’s side aim for victory in this crucial midlands derby.

Yakubu – recently sidelined due to a three-match ban, the Nigerian’s goal threat has been sorely missed by Blackburn Rovers. With 12 goals to his name already this term, Yakubu is central to his side’s bid for survival and Steve Kean will be banking on his abilities this weekend, as QPR make their way to Ewood Park.

Danny Graham – the former Watford man has caught The Scout’s eye with some recent impressive displays. Graham has netted winners against Arsenal and West Brom in two of the last four Gameweeks and is up against a Norwich City side that have yet to keep a clean sheet on the road all season.

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