It's fair to say that we were feeling fairly confident with our selections before the international break, but as it turned out, that proved to be neither here nor there as we failed to score any significant points. Although at the same time, we were correct with all three of our 'who to avoid' picks.
There was a defensive feel to our advice when it came to who to leave out of your side, with goalkeeper Tim Krul and defensive duo Joleon Lescott and John O'Shea all shipping goals in their respective matches, but while contributing to their sides, both Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku failed to get on the scoresheet, with Rooney even missing a spot kick.
Below, Sports Mole makes six more selections as the Premier League begins its run-in to the end of the campaign.
Who to pick
1. David Silva
March proved to be an indifferent month for Manchester City. They added another six points to their Premier League tally but defeats to Liverpool, Burnley and Barcelona have resulted in the realistic possibility of Manuel Pellegrini's side missing out on a trophy this season. The Chilean coach will be buoyed by the 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion but that scoreline came as a result of the Baggies playing with 10 men for 88 minutes of the game. One man who starred in that fixture was playmaker David Silva, with the Spaniard adding his 11th in all competitions as well as being a general nuisance to the visitors. With City not playing until after the results of their rivals, they need a big performance away at Crystal Palace on Monday night, and with Sergio Aguero struggling for form, the onus will be on the former Valencia man to deliver.
2. Olivier Giroud
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After his disappointing night in front of goal in the first leg of their Champions League fixture with Monaco, Olivier Giroud could have been left devoid of confidence at a time when Arsenal needed goals to make up for the loss of form of Alexis Sanchez. However, the Frenchman quickly forgot about that performance to go on a hot streak in front of goal, with six goals being netted in as many games since that night at the Emirates Stadium. A match-winning double away at Newcastle United is included in that run, and as the Gunners prepare to welcome Liverpool to North London on Saturday lunchtime for a game that could prove decisive to both teams' hopes of Champions League football, much of the focus will be on Giroud to see if he can continue to lead his team towards a possible top-two finish.
3. Joleon Lescott
Before the international break, we were advising you to stay clear of Joleon Lescott, but how things can change in just a couple of weeks. We were correct to tell you to avoid the former Manchester City defender on his return to the Etihad Stadium, but we believe there is an even better chance of being proven right when the Baggies welcome Queens Park Rangers to The Hawthorns this weekend. Tony Pulis's men have lost three of their last four fixtures, but those setbacks have come on the road and the West Midlands outfit should be a tougher nut to crack at home. Clean sheets have been recorded in their last three league games at The Hawthorns, and against a QPR team who continue to look destined for relegation, it's hard not to back a fourth successive shutout.
Who to avoid
1. Scott Dann
The arrival of Alan Pardew to Crystal Palace had the potential to shake things up at Selhurst Park, but it's much of the same starting lineup that has managed to revival the club's fortunes, with the club now effectively safe from relegation for another 12 months. One of the unsung heroes in the side is Scott Dann, who has been a mainstay in the defence as well as popping up with the odd goal or two in the opposition penalty area. However, Dann and his defensive teammates welcome Manchester City on Bank Holiday Monday and with Pellegrini's side needing to place their focus on attack in an attempt to catch Chelsea in the standings, there could be plenty of goals at both ends of the pitch throughout the 90 minutes.
2. Oscar
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Chelsea may have managed to open up a six-point gap at the top of the Premier League table in recent weeks but it hasn't been plain sailing for the Blues. A number of players have under-performed, which has cost the club their place in the Champions League as well as failing to fully capitalise on the inconsistency of Manchester City. One player who hasn't produced his best form since the turn of the year is midfielder Oscar, who has found himself in and out of the starting lineup as well as finding himself substituted on a few occasions. The Brazilian has also failed to score in his last 11 fixtures in all competitions, with his last strike coming all the way back on January 17, and with a physical Stoke City side the visitors to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Jose Mourinho may opt to leave the 23-year-old out of his team.
3. Daryl Janmaat
During March, Newcastle United were accused of already preparing for their summer holidays, and although the comment has some foundation, it's harsh given the standard of their opponents during a period that has seen them register just five points in seven games. With a 10-point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone, the Magpies are effectively safe for another season but on Sunday, they go head-to-head with North-East rivals Sunderland, who need points on the board under new boss Dick Advocaat. The Black Cats have been poor of late, but after having two weeks to work with the Dutchman, and with the Stadium of Light expected to be a sell-out at the weekend, they need a big performance and Newcastle could find it difficult to raise themselves for a contest that is of greater importance to their hosts.
Darren Plant
