Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 4

It’s time for Gameweek 4 of this season’s Scout Picks, 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 be keeping a tally of the points as we go along.

Similar to the last two Gameweeks, we’ve kept the budgets at 83.5m apiece for our starting line-ups.

The Community – Managed by Arvination

“midshots With Leicester at home, Stoke’s Asmir Begovic looks well placed for a clean sheet as does Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno against Villa. The attack-minded Nathaniel Clyne and Branislav Ivanovic offer returns at both ends of the pitch.

Fixtures conspire to make Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling automatic picks for me. Wilfried Zaha is in my selection after a fantastic performance in Gameweek 3 – he also has the potential as an out of position prospect when Crystal Palace entertain Burnley. Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria will be keen to impress on his home debut and could be set to prosper, especially if Luis Van Gaal opts for a 4-3-3 formation.

In attack Diego Costa started and scored a brace the last time he had an injury scare – I dare not leave him out even if he is still a doubt. Steven Naismith is the cheap forward that just keeps on giving, with three goals in as many appearances, and I expect him to continue his form against West Brom. With Daniel Sturridge doubtful, Mario Balotelli will be the main forward for Liverpool – he was unlucky not to score against Tottenham and I’m sure he’ll repay my faith.

Jonty

“midshots Stoke, Liverpool, Chelsea and Southampton all look primed for clean sheets this week. Asmir Begovic gives me a reliable route into the Stoke backline, while Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Branislav Ivanovic offer the dual prospect of attacking returns as well.

Eden Hazard looks to be the Chelsea midfielder of choice at home, with 10 goals of his 14 goals last season coming at Stamford Bridge. Raheem Sterling’s form is sensational but I’m looking for something different this week. He’ll be in all my rivals’ teams so I’m taking a gamble on old-stager and Liverpool penalty taker Steven Gerrard. Elsewhere my midfield is dominated by differentials, with Chadli and Kevin Mirallas’ underlying attacking statistics impressing me enough to include them.

I’m not falling for the old Diego Costa is injured ruse again. A doubt or not Chelsea’s in form frontman is in my team. Mario Balotelli looks certain to start in Daniel Sturridge’s absence and was another top attacking performer in Gameweek 3. Finally, another with impressive underlying statistics is Southampton frontman Graziano Pelle. He could be another vital differential as I look to haul myself from the foot of the Scout Picks.

Mark

“midshots The selection was pretty straightforward this week. Despite the stuttering start to the season, I really can’t see QPR spoiling the party for United at Old Trafford and I’m predicting a comfortable afternoon for Louis van Gaal – resulting in David De Gea and Wayne Rooney finding their way into my lineup.

With Diego Costa a shoo-in right now, the only real decision I had to make was to whether to back Mario Balotelli or look to Raheem Sterling to cover the Liverpool attack at home to Villa: I opted for the latter. The third striker spot goes to Southampton’s Graziano Pelle, then; he got off the mark at West Ham last time out and I reckon he’ll deliver again when the Magpies pay visit.

The midfield was interesting. Again, it was a close run thing between Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas and I’ve gone for the value offered by the Spaniard although I do expect Hazard to be a key factor in the top of the table clash with Swansea.

Elsewhere, I’m backing Wilfried Zaha to start and prove a match winner for Palace against Burnley and I just fancy Kevin Mirallas to come good for Everton at West Brom. The Toffees are shipping goals so I expect Roberto Martinez’ side to need a couple to get anything from their trip to the Hawthorns. If that’s the case, I can see Mirallas in the points.

Paul

“midshots I’ve loaded up on Chelsea for the home encounter with Swansea – all three of their in-form players, Branislav Ivanovic, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa – are drafted in. Three Liverpool options also get the nod. Javier Manquillo seems set to benefit from injuries to Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan at right-back, while I’ve also gone for Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli, with the latter looking key in the absence of Daniel Sturridge. Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Balotelli has been suffering from illness this week but will be fit for Saturday.

Elsewhere at the back, Marc Wilson (4.5) gives me a budget route into Stoke’s defence for the visit of Leicester, while Fraser Foster comes in for the Saints’ clash with Newcastle. I’m willing to roll the dice on Angel di Maria – with doubts over the United forward roles, he looks a safe option at home to QPR. For my final two selections, I’ve turned to the stats – Nacer Chadli’s five shots in the box is second for midfielders so far, while Graziano Pelle has produced eight attempts from close-range – second only to Costa.

The Scores So Far

It was a Gameweek 3 to forget for all of us after Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic and Wayne Rooney all blanked. Four points separated all four teams – I scraped a win with just 41 points, while Mark and Jonty, with 40 and 39 points respectively, pipped The Community – as managed by Innsie – into fourth with 37 points.

This means that after three rounds of fixtures, I have 154 points, The Community has 145, Mark has 137 and Jonty has 136.

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2,836 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ireland123
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    As a slightly biiased United fan, the thought of having Falcao excites me in such a childish way. However, i'm without any Arsenal or Man City players whatsoever!
    Is a player from either ARS / MCI needed?

    Wildcard currently in place!

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Other than Welbeck I don't have any from either and even he is a punt. An Arsenal defender and City Mid will soon come to our attention.

      I wish I knew off Falcao was starting this week.

    2. A guy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      City are an incredibly unpredictable team with all the rotation and injuries, it bothers me not to have any of those sky blue shirts in my team, but they're really not worth the money, because no one is a regular there. However some Arsenal players are great to have...not having Ramsey is a crime, Alexis is basically a striker listed under midfielders, Walcott is pretty similar to him, when he's healthy, Welbeck is a bargain at 7, if he's a starter in one of the top clubs and the defenders are relatively cheap considering their last season's clean sheet record. The team hasn't been convincing yet this season, but they will be at some point, maybe tomorrow already.

      1. bring_on _the_fantasy
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        arsenal always under perform against the top 3 in PL games.....don't expect much

        1. _Freddo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Not at home, it will be tight.

  2. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Smalling and a jones ruled out should see Rojo Evans and Blackett in the back 3. Blackett a good option at £4.5m?

    1. myboycharlie
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      United defence is poor

    2. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      For a few GW's, yes.

  3. bring_on _the_fantasy
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    On my WC

    Should i stay put on

    Beg Macarthy
    ivanovic moreno clyne huttun duff
    fab ADM siggy sterling dyer
    DC naismith Balo

    or

    ivan + Balo >>>>> Falcao + Cahill

    Any ideas guys?

    1. myboycharlie
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Dyer > Zaha as u already have siggy

    2. rickardinho
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Stay put

  4. myboycharlie
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts

    Bego McCarthy

    Ivan Bertrand Baines Moore Duff

    Sterling Tadic Fab Siggy Zaha

    Costa Falcoa Naismaith

    .5 in the bank A) ok go with it B) Back to drawing board

    1. Mr Wizard
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I like it. Tadic punt is good

  5. rickardinho
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Surprised that almost all the scouts picked Balotelli over Rooney this week. He's playing QPR after all.

    Have 6 of these picks though, 7 if you include Naismith. Hopefully Ramsey and Costa can play though as that would be a big plus.

    1. Hazard for Ballon D'or
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Surprised they all picked stoke defenders. Leicester have been great going forward so far. Looked really attacking. Can see them scoring and possibly gettinsomethig

  6. thorvaldsson
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Kelly vs Burnley

    Or

    Coloccini vs Southampton?

  7. Camp No No
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    How sure are we about Moreno keeping that LB spot?

    1. rickardinho
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      100%

  8. Barnabus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Can anyone give me some advice? In a drunken state last night I got itchy fingers and spent 12 points on some debatable transfers, wondering whether to WC and change my team further but recoup the 12 points or cut my losses and stick with my team.

    My changes:

    Rooney, Jovetic, Ramsey & Young > Costa, Falcao, Lamela & Quinn

    My team now:

    Lloris (Schmeichel)

    Ivan, Clyne, Lovren (Chambers, Dier)

    Fab, Sterling, Lamela, Siggy (Quinn)

    Costa, Falcao, Naismith

    Any advice appreciated.

    1. theloveburglar
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      have another few beers and do some more hits

    2. Mr Wizard
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      12 point hit.. I would wildcard and make all the changes you want and give yourself piece of mind. Your always going to be chasing those 12 points.

  9. ireland123
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT. frustrating me at this point! haha

    Bego/McCarthy
    Lovren/CLyne/Collocini/PVA/3.9
    Fab/Sterling/Siggy/DiMaria/Boyd
    Rooney/Naismith/Costa

    3.3m ITB, can swap out anyone in the coming weeks if needs be.
    Thoughts? Where to change?

    1. Hazard for Ballon D'or
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Having to play 2 of siggy, Naismith and Boyd every week? Would upgrade Naismith to welbeck.

      What do u think of this??

      Mannone/McCarthy
      Rojo/Gibbs/wisdom/Moore/m.keane
      Fab/sterling/Ramsey/siggy/di Maria
      Falcao/adebayor/ulloa

      I know costa is a risk but don't think he will play with champions league and city coming up. Will put him in somehow after city game.

  10. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) Di Maria, Adebayor
    B) Rooney, Lamela/Eriksen

    1. rickardinho
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Rooney tadic

  11. Mindless Freak
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Dummett -> Moreno

    Mata -> Henderson

    Then i'll be 0.1 off Schurrle -> Silva so i'll save 2 FT's then do Henderson -> Zaha Schurrle -> Silva

    Plan or not?

    1. rickardinho
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Don't waste a FT to have Henderson for only or week, it's a waste. Make trades that are more long term

  12. The Grim Reefer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    My first post & first team, please help.

    Currently have:

    Krul/Mannone.
    Clyne,Moreno,Taylor (swansea), Wilson, Hutton
    Ramsey,Sterling,Tadic,Fabregas,Sigurdsson
    Balotelli,Naismith,Costa.
    + 0.9 Mil in the bank.

    Any obvious upgrades, or changes I should make?

    Thanks.

  13. Mr Wizard
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    When can we expect the price rises?

  14. bennyp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Bego - (Krul)
    Baines - Moreno - Clyne - (duff - taylor)
    mirallas - siggy - sterling - ADM - (king)
    costa - Aguero(c) - naismith.

    Am i gtg? Not sure about aguero captain but could be huge..

  15. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hi help a no-member brother!

    Clyne, Lovren or Moreno in for Jones?!

  16. Footylicious
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Confident on Lamela for a goal and assist this week.
    Also have to captain Clyne as part of a bet - which im also confident about strangely

  17. Judeksi
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    My starting defenders are Ivanovic - Colo - Caulker (Chambers on bench, P.Jones injured). GK is Begovic.

    I have already taken -4 hit but should I transfer P.Jones out for a better defender (and get -8p hit)? Or should I just go with Caulker or Chambers?

  18. samue1bartlett
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Looking at the upcoming fixtures i've taken a slight gamble and gone for 4 defenders who are nailed on for starts, without sacrificing too much in attack. Need advice on the team. Particularly whether it's worth dropping one of Moreno/Evans too a 4 mil defender + Dropping Chadli and looking to get in Ivanovic and zaha and definitely playing 3-5-2.

    Team at the moment -

    De Gea
    Manquillo - Moreno - Evans - Clyne
    Fabregas - Chadli - Sterling - Ramsey
    Rooney - Costa
    Subs, NaIsmith, Siggy, Duff, Myhill

    WC is in play

    1. samue1bartlett
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      That would leave a team of

      De Gea
      Ivanovic, Evans, Clyne
      Fabregas, Zaha, Ramsy, Sterling, Siggy
      Rooney, Costa
      Subs, Naismith, Wisdom, Duff, Myhill

      Which team do you rate more.

  19. redHead
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    really stuck between rooney and aguero this week....

  20. Millilux_
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Should I risk leaving Ramsey in? Will he start?

  21. mutatedllama
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I want Clyne in my team but can't quite afford him. Here is my team:

    Schmeichel - (McCarthy)
    Ivan - Chester - Naylor - (Moore - Duff)
    Fab - Ramsey - Sterling - Sig - (Boyd)
    Costa - Kun - Welbz

    Anywhere obvious I can downgrade?

  22. Ted Maw
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Test

    1. Ted Maw
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      now