Scout Squad

The Scout Squad – Gameweek 1

Welcome to the first Scout Picks Squad article of the season, which for the 2016/17 campaign has been revamped to offer you a greater insight into the decision making process behind each Friday’s selection.

Each midweek Mark, Paul and myself will list the 18 players we think have the best chance of success across the four positions, listing them in rank order. This article will then highlight some of the likely discussions and disagreements that will take place behind the scenes as the Scouts look to back their players and secure a place for them in the Scout Picks as well as our Spot the Differential articles.

Finally, we will also reveal the Community Champion who has been selected by our lottery to represent the community and be in with a chance of winning a £100 Amazon voucher.

The Scouts’ Picks

Mark PaulJonty
GoalkeepersTom HeatonFraser ForsterKasper Schmeichel
Victor ValdesKasper SchmeichelTom Heaton
Wayne HennesseyTom HeatonFraser Forster
DefendersScott DannChristian FuchsChristian Fuchs
Virgil van DijkVirgil van DijkVirgil van Dijk
Christian FuchsJohn StonesAntonio Valencia
John StonesScott DannCesar Azpilicueta
Michael KeaneMichael KeaneGeorge Friend
Midfielders Riyad MahrezRiyad MahrezEden Hazard
Kevin De BruyneDele AlliRoberto Firmino
Dusan TadicRoberto FirminoAlexis Sanchez
Roberto FirminoEden HazardDusan Tadic
Andros TownsendDusan TadicAndros Townsend
Forwards Sergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio Aguero
Jamie VardyHarry KaneJamie Vardy
Andre GrayJamie VardyZlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan IbrahimovicZlatan IbrahimovicAndre Gray
Shane LongAndy CarrollDiego Costa

Players are listed in order of rank for GW1.

Goalkeepers

This looks to be a good Gameweek for those opting for a budget friendly goalkeeper with Paul, Mark and myself all backing key value picks.

Burnley’s Tom Heaton (4.5), who faces Swansea at home, features in all three Scout Squad selections and is Mark’s top choice after Burnley kept 20 clean sheets in the Championship last season, 12 of which were at home.

Mark is also backing Middlesbrough stopper Victor Valdes and Palace’s Wayne Hennessey, who face home clashes against Stoke and West Brom respectively. Both are priced at 4.5 and of the pair Valdes has the larger FPL ownership, of 8.2% compared to Hennessey’s 5.7%.

Meanwhile, Paul and myself are both optimistic of the clean sheet prospects of two 5.0 priced stoppers. Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel (12.1% FPL ownership) faces a manager-less Hull side away, while Southampton’s Fraser Forster (4.8% FPL ownership) squares up at home to a Watford side that was amongst the bottom five sides in terms of goals scored on the road last season.

Defenders

There is a clear concensus over the prospects of 5.5 priced defenders, Southampton’s Virgil van Djik and Leicester full back Christian Fuchs, who was the fifth highest point scoring defender in FPL last term. Van Djik’s three goals and 29 goal attempts last season has also attracted the interest of 12.4% of FPL managers, compared to Fuch’s 11.9%.

Areas of contention could centre around Manchester United’s defence against Bournemouth. While Mark and Paul have shunned their backline altogether, I am opting for Antonio Valencia (also 5.5), after the right back impressed in pre-season, including three assists in Manchester United’s 5-2 win over Galatasary. With 6.5% FPL ownership Valencia is certainly the differential Manchester United option over the 18.1% owned Luke Shaw.

Both Mark and Paul have drafted in City new boy John Stones (5.0) as a result of today’s switch from Everton. Having featured in pre-season for the Toffees there should be no concerns over his fitness and considering that Pep Guardiola started with Aleksandar Kolarov and Fernando at centre-half in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal, Stones could well be fast-tracked to the first XI at home to Sunderland. He’s climbed to 20% ownership in FPL as a result of this morning’s switch.

Both Paul and Mark will also be looking to persuade me that Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann is worth his price hike to 5.5 this season on the back of five goals last term. Currently he is owned by 8% of FPL managers. Dann’s threat from set-pieces is clearly a factor, along with West Brom’s struggle for a cutting edge.

In addition, I face a tough task trying to include Chelsea’s 6.0 full back Cesar Azpilicueta in this Friday’s picks. Paul in particular believes that, on the back of a strong pre-season, West Ham are more than capable of scoring when they visit Stamford Bridge on Monday. Meanwhile, I’m backing the strong organisational skills of new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to shackle Slaven Bilic’s side.

Midfielders

Despite some potential arguments brewing amongst the Scouts regarding midfielders there are two players where there is already strong agreement.

Dusan Tadic’s role at the tip of Southampton manager Claude Puel’s midfield diamond in pre-season has been picked up by all three of us. The 7.5 midfielder, who is also on penalties, certainly looks to be an ideal differential pick this week with just 4.8% FPL ownership. Interestingly there’s no sign of Nathan Redmond (6.0) despite his potential role up front – with Tadic clearly the preferred option until we’ve put Claud Puel’s system under scutinty.

All three Scouts have also taken note of Arsenal’s defensive problems, with Gabriel and Per Mertesacker injured and Laurent Koscielny only just returning to training. As a result they are backing Roberto Firmino (8.5) to carry on his sensational pre-season form, in which he has scored three goals, when Liverpool visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The midfielder is in just 8.8% of FPL teams, perhaps due to a lack of awareness of Arsenal’s defensive woes.

Areas of potential fireworks though include my pick of Alexis Sanchez (11.5), who could be set to take the striker role in the expected absence of Oliver Giroud. Mark and Paul remain unconvinced of his prospects despite the Chilean being deployed in this position in Arsenal’s friendly against Manchester City last weekend. FPL managers also agree with Paul and Mark, with just 6.6% selecting him.

Eden Hazard (10.0)’s potential to bounce back from a dire 2015/16 also looks to be a keen source of debate ahead of Friday’s picks, with Mark shunning the Chelsea man, who is being backed by Paul, myself and 16.3% of FPL managers. Instead Mark has opted for Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (10.5) as a key premium pick. He and 10.1% of FPL managers are hoping he will run riot when Sunderland visit in the early evening Saturday kick off.

Last season’s form and fixture has driven Mark and Paul’s selection of Leicester’s 9.5 priced midfielder Riyad Mahrez. Paul says:

Hull are hammered by injuries and Leicester could have a field day.

However, I feel that on the back of a tepid Community Shield display and continuing speculation about his future, Mahrez may not be in the right frame of mind to orchestrate a rout against Hull.

Paul and I may also come to blows over the inclusion of Spurs’ 8.5 priced and 13% FPL owned midfielder Dele Alli, away to Everton. While Paul will be able to say that eight of his 10 goals came on the road last term, I remain optimistic Everton under new boss Ronald Koeman will be able to handle a Spurs outfit without key midfielder Mousa Dembele, who is suspended.

Forwards

On the subject of Dembele, his absence is the major reason why Harry Kane is not in my five forward picks. Paul remains convinced that he will prevail, but Mark has also left him out after the Spurs striker only managed to score once in the nine games when Dembele was absent last term.

Elsewhere, there is an unsurprising lack of debate around the 39.4% owners Sergio Aguero (13.0)’s ability to deliver at home against Sunderland or that Jamie Vardy (10.0) will lead the charge when Leicester visit Hull.

All three Scouts have also picked Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.5), who is in 37.3% of FPL teams, for Manchester United’s visit to Bournemouth, but Mark points out this is reluctantly in his case. Mark says:

I’m taking a big risk by largely overlooking Manchester United but I genuinely think that the trip to Dean Court is a major test for them. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has to remain in my thinking but I do feel that Eddie Howe’s men are equipped to deal with him – for me, it will be the midfield runners posing the major goal threat.

Each of us has also put forward an individual pick, which may help form our thinking for our Spot the Differential articles.

For Mark, Southampton’s Shane Long (6.5), who is owned by 14.8% of FPL managers, looks set to prosper when Watford visit. His 10 goals and four assists last term certainly give him cause for optimism.

Paul remains convinced that West Ham will do well at Chelsea and believes Andy Carroll (6.5) will bring his strong pre-season form, in which he has scored four times, to Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, I think Chelsea’s 9.5 priced striker Diego Costa is being unfairly overlooked and could be set to make a mockery of his meagre 5.2% ownership, especially after getting on the score sheet in Chelsea’s final pre-season game against Werder Bremen on Sunday.

Community Champion

Representing the Community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 1 will be Fantasy veteran Frankie the Gent, who is about to start his 11th FPL season. His 2010/11 rank of 17,915 is his highest finish so far.

The community champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2016/17 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

5,331 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nellirk
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    A) Firmino & Redmond
    B) Silva & Routledge

    L'pool is facing a horrible fixture first 5 gw's.

    1. redbeard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      based on last season Firmino is fixture proof, and Liverpool tend to do well against the big teams

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. redbeard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      and he's OoP, and arsenal's defence is a mess.. nailed on for me

  2. Rewenge
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    rmt pls

    Crystal Palace GK | Jakupovic

    Shaw | Stones | Simpson | Friend | Amat

    Mkhitaryan | Firmino | Tadic | Townsend | Fletcher

    Aguero | Ibrahimovic | Gray

    1. Athletic Bilbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A lot of eggs in the Man U basket, as I said in my own post i'm a little unsure of how quickly they will gel. I understand the Zlatan fear but I would go with another option instead of Mkhi - there are many! Spurs have decent fixtures and a stable team so Alli / Erikson / Lamela could give you an alternative and free up a little spare cash, which as you know I am a fan of.

    2. Chrisirwin01
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah bro a lot of hope on Utd. I'm a Utd fan and have been tracking them all pre-season and it's really hard to predict how they'll do and who'll start.

  3. Athletic Bilbo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Hi All - new to the site but been playing ff for years (could have written a novel or learnt the piano with all the time spent tinkering).

    I'd appreciate a bit of feedback on my proposed strategy:

    Foster (Jakupovic)
    Valencia / Coleman / Friend (Souare / Amat)
    Firmino / Lamela / Tadic / Barkley (Capoue)
    Aguero / Vardy / Carroll

    3.0 ITB

    With so many new managers / signings / systems in place I've gone for continuity / stability for GW1 and will then assess the early form of the players and teams. The large cash reserves mean I can drop onto any player / team showing form in the first few weeks without the hassle of having to sell to buy. I'm generally avoiding guessing answers to awkward questions such as: will Man Utd immediately click with so many new signings and a new manager? Is Zlatan the best route into their attack or will Martial / Mkhi fire? I'm not convinced Hazard is really worth 10m (he burned me last year) - is Oscar just as viable? Will Chelsea be 1-0 merchants? What the hell is going on at Arsenal?

    I also want to avoid the usually early wildcard and play it at the beginning of October when fixtures take a distinct turn for the better / worse for a lot of teams. The plan is that the cash reserves give me the flexibility to get anyone. I also have good feelings about all of my front 7 to begin with...

    Anybody got experience of this approach? Does it make sense? Or is everybody just going to scream 'Spend Up and Get Hazard?'

    1. Rewenge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I like your thinking in general and Hazard often starts slowly. For me though Souare is not necessarily nailed for Palace and you could upgrade for 0.5 to a 5.0 likely to get some clean sheets e.g. Simpson at Leicester or Stones at City. And still have your 2.5 contingency fund left. I currently have Ibra out of fear of his large ownership, but I wish I didn't really, because it would free up so much else plus he could bomb

      1. Athletic Bilbo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks Rewenge, I agree that Stones will probably be a better bet long term, think I will go with that, the only thing it negates is Lamela -> Sanchez as a future option.

        1. Athletic Bilbo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Sorry, Lamela_> Hazard I mean

          1. Rewenge
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Hmm I see. I can't really see any good options for gaining the extra 0.5 you'd need for that from elsewhere in your squad. The main appeal of Coleman is attacking rather than clean sheets so Williams wouldn't be a good enough replacement, and there aren't really any midfielders cheaper than each of your current ones who wouldn't be a significant downgrade. *Maybe* could go Vardy to Lukaku or Costa but I probably wouldn't do that personally given uncertainty over form, starts, and even club with Lukaku and Costa compared to main man status for Vardy. Another thing to bear in mind though is that even with your 3.0 fund intact, it would only take Hazard to have one good week and his price would almost certainly go to 10.1 anyway thereby ruining your plan...

  4. DazF90
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Hi all!
    Finding it far more difficult this year...
    I usually come 2nd in my league so looking to get to the top this year! Please RMT 😉 thanks

    Heaton (Jaku)
    Pieters/Stones/Valencia (Friend/Amat)
    Firmino/Tadic/KDB/Ibe (Capoue)
    Ibra/Kun/Gray
    0.5m in the bank

    Thinking of changing Ibe and Tadic for Willian and Redmond?
    Also still unsure about Ibra ;/

    1. DazF90
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe Hazard in for KDB?
      Is redmond guaranteed to start?

  5. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Yeh you need Chelsea coverage

    1. DazF90
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks! Maybe even KDB for hazard? Do you think Ibra is worth the risk?

  6. avolaris
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Which combination would you choose and why?

    A) Stones, Sanchez, Lukaku
    Or
    B) Clyne, Mkhitaryan, Costa + 0.5mill left over.

    1. DazF90
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I would go for A personally:)

  7. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Not sure about team:
    Schmeichel (Jaku)
    Stones Shaw Morgan (friend Amat)
    Hazard Tadic firmino Ramirez (fletcher)
    Kun Vardy Gray

    Got 1.0m itb and want 0.5 left before deadline.
    Please make any improvements and any comments would be appreciated.
    Thinking of swapping Shaw for either Dann, Valencia or vvd

  8. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Also which 4.5 mid is best: fletcher, Capoue, Watson, hojbjerg

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Watson, at least has some spot kick duties

    2. kyo619
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Base on fixtures and nailed, fletcher.

  9. tommyboy16
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    hi all
    it is my first year fantasy football and it would be nice if you could give me some tips .
    thank you very much

    this is my team so far :

    de gea / ( jakupovic)

    stones --- shaw--- morgan / (amat--- paredes)

    hazard---tradic---ibe---firminio / (capoue)

    ibra---gray---kun

    pls tell me if i could change something
    thx all 🙂

    1. Athletic Bilbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      You look vulnerable to a defensive crisis. Stones may not start all games (bedding in / Champs League rotation) and Amat / Parades not guaranteed either. Your 4th defender should be a more reliable starter, which will need an extra 0.5 investment. This will prevent you having to make double subs or play a wild card in the event of a red card or defensive injury / rotation.

      Assuming you are maxed out on cash, either switch De Gea or Shaw for a 5.0 keeper / defender (you will have United coverage either way) or switch Morgan for a 4.5 to free up the funds. There are several decent 4.5 options out there.

    2. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      My 2 cents. D/MF could use an upgrade. Ibra looked awful in community shield, he'll score some goals but 11.5 way too much imo. Not a fan of paying 5.5 for a keeper. DeGea is great but you won't get those save and bonus points. There'll be a few 4.5 gks that will get you same points. Also, wouldn't start off with only 3 defenders that are nailed.

      Ibra to Carroll/Long
      Ibe to Hazard
      Morgan to Baines
      DeGea to Heaton/Foster
      Parades/Amat to Evans/Pieters

      That would give you huge upgrade in MF and Def. also, I would wait to see at least 1 man city match before bringing in stones.

    3. Msms
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I wont put any liverpool vs arsenal players in GW1. I predict that will be a tough match.

  10. Johnny W
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    any comments on mkhitaryan? good option?

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I was huge Miki fan up until community shield. After mourinho gave him 2 measly mins I dumped him for haz. So much change at United. Going to watch a game or two before I bring in any United attack

      1. Johnny W
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        great thanks

  11. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Which 6.5m mid is best: deulofeu shaqiri townsend

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Deulofeu if koeman gives him the minutes. Very high on Townsend though too.
      Would start week 1 with Townsend though

  12. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Not parades because he def won't start and mkhitarayn is dodgy.

  13. Goal Digger2016
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Man of the match first start gets an assists moved to the right side of the pitch where he was worth the Sterling get him guys 0.9 ownership lol joke

  14. Nellirk
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    the forward 8:

    A)
    Redmond - Firmino - Alli - Hazard - Capoue
    Kun - Vardy - Gray

    B)
    Barkley - Firmino - Eriksen - Tadic - Capoue
    Kun - Kane - Gray

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      B

  15. Johnny W
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Give me feedback please!

    GK: Butland
    DEF: Valencia, Morgan, Stones,
    MID: Mahrez, Alli, Mkhitaryan, Redmond
    ATT: Kane, Ibra, Gray

    am i crazy for not having aguero????

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely. Not sure how anybody is willing to spend 21m on Ibra/Miki after watching the comm shield. Would hold off on stones also.

      Would dump Ibra to Kun. Use 1.5 from doing Alli to Lamela
      Miki to haz
      Free up 1.5m somewhere to upgrade Redmond to tadic

  16. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Can someone please comment on team it would be very appreciated:

    Schmeichel
    Van dijk stones Morgan
    Firmino haz bolasie Tadic
    Kun vardy gray

    Jaku friend Amat Watson

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Get some United defensive coverage and don't double up on Leicester.
      stones to shaw/Valencia.
      Morgan to Pieters/Evans would work nice

  17. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    A

  18. Light888
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts and suggestions plz. Thx.

    I've taken a risk with Chambers, but I wanted an Arsenal defender in there and he should play regularly for a few games. For my mid I initially wanted to have a cut-price midfielder like Ramirez or Ibe, but I had the cash so went with Willian instead. He should be taking set-pieces and I wanted a Chelsea player in the team. What do you guys think though: Willian, Oscar or Tadic? Or should I maybe save the cash and upgrade my 5th mid instead to get balance?

    GK: Hart (Jaku)

    DEF: Shaw/ Morgan/ Chambers/ Moreno (Amat)

    Mid: Ayew/ Lamela/ Mane/ Willian (Hojlberg)

    ATT: Gray/ Ibra/ Aguero

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Tadic all day long. Wait to see how Chelsea lineup is going to look like

  19. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Btw got 1m itb is that a good idea?
    Thinking of swapping van dijk for Valencia or Dann but not sure.
    Also bolasie for Redmond

  20. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Tadic

  21. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Don't risk chambers and Moreno and mane

  22. ioannou728
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Need major help. GW1 looks like this for me currently:

    Butland (Heaton)

    Stones VVD Valencia Fuchs (Friend)

    Firmino Tadic Siggy (Capoue) (Kouyate)

    Long Kun Ibra

    1 solution to my midfield weakness is Heaton -> Jak, Friend -> Paredes, VVD -> 5m Def then I can switch Kouyate for Lamela. Seems like a bit of an overhaul though. Any obvious improvements?

    1. ioannou728
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Scrap that, my defence is too expensive especially with Friend hopefully seeing some game time. 3 Southampton is too much so switched VVD for Paredes and Kouyate for Lamela. Leaves me with a strong 343 with at least 1 defensive rotation in Friend and room to bring in the inevitable cheap point-scoring MF that will show up once the season starts.

    2. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Need to beef up that MF for sure. Lots of great options in the 6-7m range

  23. esem_zack
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Guys what do you think of my squad
    Butland
    Stones
    Fuchs
    Williams
    van Dijk
    Mané
    Mkhitaryan
    Cabaye
    Mahrez
    Ibrahimovic
    Gray
    Subs
    Hennessey
    Surman
    Deeney
    Dawson

    1. teemonee yall
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Too much Ibra. Not enough kun.
      Is Miki nailed? too risky to start with him game 1 imo.
      Deeney for Carroll/long
      Get some United def coverage- shaw or Valencia

  24. Blues Cruise
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Pick a combo!
    A. Musa and Carroll
    B. Vardy and Feghouli

  25. EDEN THE MAN
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Please choose your preffered option.

    Mahrez+Hazard+Lukaku
    Mahrez+Oscar+Ibra
    Hazard+Deulefeu+Ibra

    Thanks

    I will have Aguero in all 3 situations.

  26. Blues Cruise
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Are Feghouli and Lamela absolutely nailed on to start constantly after new arrivals in their respective squads?

  27. esem_zack
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    mhk and deeney may be a good option

  28. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Good to go guys?

    heaton - (foster)

    valencia - stones - friend - (amat, williams)

    hazard - firmino - tadic - lamela - (capoue)

    kun - vardy - gray

    any feedback welcome ..
    tnks

  29. Just Been On Loan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on the below?

    Foster (Jak)
    Shaw-Stones-Baines (Friend Amat)
    Hazard-Firmino-Lamela-Redmond (Fletcher)
    Aguero-Zlat-Gray

    Feel like I've got too much money in defence, but not sure where to move the likely 0.5m extra I'd have with a swap...

    Cheers!

  30. MemFish Peday
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    What are the nailed on 4.0 defenders?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      None are nailed, that's why they're 4mil