Scout Picks

Scout Picks Gameweek 1

After rolling out our Scout Picks Squad on Tuesday evening, it’s now time to reveal our selections for Gameweek 1 of the 2016/17 season.

We call upon a trio of Leicester players for their trip to injury-hit Hull, whilst Southampton are also prominent in our plans as Watford roll up to St Mary’s.

As with last season, a Community Champion will be taking us on each week. The budget is currently capped at 83m, although this may be increased as the campaign progresses.

At 4.5, Burnley’s Tom Heaton is our pick of this Gameweek’s goalkeepers. With the third highest number of saves in 2014/15 – the last time Burnley were in the Premier League – we feel he has plenty of points potential this week when Swansea visit. A clean sheet also looks likely as Swansea look to adapt to life without their top scorer last term, Andre Ayew, who has moved to West Ham. Just 4.2% of FPL managers have drafted the Claretsstopper in so far.

Managerless Hull are decimated by injuries, leaving little hope of attacking returns when Leicester visit. Last season’s fifth highest point scoring defender in FPL last term, Christian Fuchs (5.5), is our pick of the Foxes’ backline thanks to his knack of picking up FPL bonus points. Last season no other defender earned more than the 12.5% owned Austrian’s tally of 25.

Promoted Middlesbrough’s team sheet is awash with strong budget options this season, with left-back and 5.4%-owned George Friend no exception. Priced at 4.5, he has a strong chance of a shut out when Stoke visit and his 2.5 interceptions per match with 2.3 tackles won last season bode well for bonus potential.

With three goals and 29 goal attempts in 2015/16, we are hoping for returns at both ends of the pitch for Southampton centre back Virgil van Djik (5.5) when Watford visit. So far 13.4% of FPL managers are also backing his broad potential for points.

Riyad Mahrez (9.5) was poised to miss out in this week’s picks after a summer where his future at Leicester had been dogged by transfer gossip. With promising signs that he is staying put for the time being, a visit to Hull looks ideal for him to continue where he left off last season. The 26.5% of FPL managers that have already drafted him in certainly don’t need reminding of a stellar 2015/16 campaign, where he finished as FPL’s top scorer with 240 points. Encouragingly, 12 of Mahrez’ 17 goals arrived away from home last term.

Our second heavy hitter in midfield is Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (10m), who we are backing to recover from a largely disastrous 2015/16 season. Three goals in pre-season and the faith of new manager Antonio Conte give us cause for optimism ahead of West Ham’s visit to Stamford Bridge. Despite a relatively small tally of just five strikes last term, he has still earned the backing of 17% of FPL managers and could give Hammers’ right-back Michail Antonio a torrid time down the flank on Monday night.

Under new manager Claude Puel, Southampton have revamped their formation to create a midfield diamond with Dusan Tadic sparkling as the most advanced player behind a front two. The 7.5 midfielder, who is owned by only 5.4% of FPL managers, is also on penalties, which further enhances his appeal when Watford come calling.

Andros Townsend (5.9% FPL ownership) excelled for Newcastle at the tail end of last season and we anticipate he will do the same again in a wide role at Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace. Priced at 6.5 he faces a West Brom side that has struggled in pre-season, where the Baggies kept just one clean sheet in six friendlies.

Sunderland have been historically woeful away to Manchester City, shipping 12 goals n their last four Premier League visits. This presents a golden opportunity for Sergio Aguero (13.0) to add to his 102 league goals since joining City in 2011. Given his pedigree, it is no surprise the Argentine leads our Captain Poll for Gameweek 1 and is currently the most popular player in FPL, with a 41% ownership. There is a word of caution, though. While City have regularly put the Black Cats to the sword at home, Sunderland’s new manager David Moyes has a far better record. In his last four seasons with Everton he was only beaten once away to City in the league.

Our lack of faith in Hull’s decimated squad persuades us to triple up on the champions. With 24 goals Jamie Vardy (10.0) narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot last term and looks set to kick start another challenge for the accolade at the KC tomorrow. A goal against Manchester United in the Community Shield will have further fuelled his confidence and optimism amongst his 23.7% FPL managers. Vardy makes our XI at the expense of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.5), due to the Manchester United striker’s lack of Premier League pedigree and slightly less favourable fixture, away to Bournemouth.

Andre Gray (6.5) is our pick of the more reasonably-priced strikers for Gameweek 1. The Burnley forward looks primed to take advantage of Ashley Williams’ departure to Everton this week, as Swansea make their way to Turf Moor. With nine goals in pre-season Gray certainly has strong form on his side to punish the Swans.

Just missing out on a place in our XI is Crystal Palace’s surprise joint top goal scorer last term, Scott Dann (5.5). With the notoriously defensive West Brom visiting, we have strong hopes of a clean sheet as well as the possibility of attacking returns for the centre back.

Roberto Firmino (8.5), who could be fielded as a false nine away to Arsenal, also has to settle for bench-warming duties in the Picks. With two goals during Liverpool’s pre-season, we are anticipating returns as he takes on a Gunners backline decimated by injury and international fixture fatigue.

Southampton’s kind home tie with Watford ensures Shane Long remains in our thinking. The Irishman, who scored in the Saints final pre-season clash against Athletic Bilbao, is expected to lead the line along with Nathan Redmond. With 10 goals last term, Long offers a strong alternative to Gray for those looking for a reliable 6.5-priced striker.

The Community Champion

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher (we can currently only offer Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk vouchers) and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

This week’s champion is Frankie the Gent, who already has 10 FPL campaigns under his belt.

Community XI: Hart, Shaw, Valencia, Dann, Sanchez, Nolito, Oscar, Redmond, Vardy, Kane, Long.

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

5,416 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    I Have Both Mahrez & Vardy ..

    A- It's Okay

    B- Get rid of one of them

    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      a

    2. Silva’s Left Nut
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      B. I'd keep Vardy

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

        Can I ask, why his left nut?

      2. Mark-O
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        This + pens.

    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. A.T
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

    why is nobody picking up Payet ?

    1. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Ayew for 7.5

    2. Gatsby
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      too early, he won't be starting against chelsea.

    3. sheixt
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Too many other good options around the same price with better fixtures....

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

      Lack of match fitness.

  3. sheixt
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    RMT please!!!

    Heaton / (Foster)

    Valencia / van Dijk / Friend / (Pardes) / (Evans)

    Hazard / Alli / Firmino / Redman / (Capoue)

    Aguero / Vardy / Gray

    Thanks!

    ...Really unsure if it's worth upgrading Vardy for Ibr by that would mean losing Firmino & Alli for Mahrez & a shoddy 3rd mid...

    1. GHB
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Have the same team bar a few.

      So going to have to say great team

  4. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed. Last decision:

    A) Evans (have Foster)
    B) Souare
    C) Other £4.5 mil defender

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Evans probably

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

      A

    3. Mark-O
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      B

  5. InSaneMan-e
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Hey guys. Need an opinion. What do we think?

    Forster
    Valencia Stones Friend
    Hazard Tadic Eriksen Feghouli
    Kun Ibra Gray

    Bench: Jaku, evans, amat, capou

    1. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      similiar to mine but i decided to field a 4-3-3

      1. InSaneMan-e
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Amat?

  6. Gatsby
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    My one and only RMT
    (so please comment!)

    DDG (Jakupovic)
    Terry, Valencia, Morgan (Stones, Parades)
    Firminho, Hazard, Redmond, Bojan (Feghouli)
    Aguero (vc), Vardy (C), Gray

    0.0itb

  7. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Leicester defence/gk have a combined ownership of over 50%. Will hurt if they get a clean sheet vs Hull for non owners

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

      Meh, who cares.
      A Palace clean sheet is a the same as a leicester one, screw coverage and ownership

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        This should be greened up . A 4M CS is the same as a 6.5M CS

    2. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      league champions with nailed 5.0 options, why are they not in all of our teams again?

    3. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Another way of saying that is Leicester defence/gk have a combined ownership of over 50%. Will hurt owners if they don't get a clean sheet vs Hull

    4. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      i'm betting heavily against hull for first 3 games in terms of my team, but have no leicester defender and don't think i can afford one

    5. st4rt__
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      'B-b-b-buuuuut, they've lost Kante...'

      Not for me Clive, can quite easily see a couple CS first few.

    6. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Meh, I'm hoping for a Swansea clean sheet. Helps no one but hurts a lot of Gray owners.

  8. the gaffer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    What's everyone's thoughts on the best 5.5m midfielder?

    I'm torn between a few.

    1. Zaha - good attacking threat and has done well at Palace before. Lost his way since going to Man U but needs to turn up this season.

    2. Puncheon - has the potential to get double figures but may be playing deep.

    3. Phillips - has hit 8 assists in Premiership before but how many goals will WBA score??

    4. Fischer - done well preseason for Boro but it's his 1st season in EPL!

    5. Ferghouli- was once labelled the new Zidane, but definitely isn't!

    What do you guys think and who will you be going for??

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

      Throw Januzai in.

      1. Detweiler
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        And Ramirez!

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

      Also missed Ramirez

    3. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I've gone for Feghouli, but i have my doubts just as you do

    4. Mark-O
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Puncheon might have lost his spot.. just guessing.

    5. Keano
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Think I'm going to go with Gudmundsson, like the look of Gradel too.

    6. Kryten
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Ramirez no 10 position

    7. il Brutto
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Zaha will have a breakthrough season so I'm on him.

    8. cheeky moses
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      gradel

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

    I think I'll leave my team exactly as it was yesterday before I started tinkering, but the doubts still linger, so I don't discard giving it another go tonight. I'll hide under the couch with each mention I hear of Townsend, Willian, Eriksen, Alli, Redmond, Sánchez and Ibra during the weekend.

    It's templatish, perhaps I have more faith in Everton than Koeman does:

    Foster / Heaton

    Valencia / Stones / Baines ( Nsue / Amat )

    Hazard / Firmino / Tadić / Deulofeu ( Cackpoo)

    Agüero (c)/ Vardy / Gray

    Good luck ladies and gentlemen, and do get a good night's sleep, don't let FPL get on its way. You'll be wildcarding your mess next week anyway.

  10. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    I normally do well in FPL ... but am I going completely do-lally ?

    I have no players at all in my squad from last years top 3 teams ............... am I crazy?!

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

      What happens if I answer yes

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Ill sleep even less than I already will be

        I normally don't pick any Liverpool or United players due to a love and a loathe .... nothing worse than sitting at Anfield and thinking your players are having a stinker in real life and in fantasy for you .... and I never want to experience pleasure at a Man Utd success .... but I do have one player from each this year .....

        Maybe I should amend those two .....actually my Man U player is a defender, I defo don't want a Leicester defender this year, but maybe the midfielder could be a Spud ....

    2. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      no lei and tot could be damaging

  11. Mark-O
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    1. Now that Butland is out, does it make sense to play Ramirez rather than Fischer, or Negredo? I can only fit one Boro player in my team.

    2. Also, choose three to play:
    A. Stones (SUN)
    B. Fuchs (hul)
    C. Kingsley (bur)
    C. Valencia (bou)
    D. Friend (STO)

    Cheers

    1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      No.
      ABC as easy as 1-2-3

      1. Mark-O
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        C?!

        1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          C Valencia

  12. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    BREAKING: Sky sources: Leicester winger Jeff Schlupp removed from squad ahead of tomorrow's game against Hull. #SSNHQ

    1. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Schlupp flopped

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      WBA

    3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      great oop option

      1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        new chris brunt

    4. Detweiler
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Can't say I'm disappointed at this as a Leicester fan. Such a frustrating player and very suspect defensively.

    5. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      just in time for that i8

    6. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      no cup, no schlupp

  13. Carcaju
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Lost in previous page.

    A:
    Heaton Jakupovic

    Morgan Shaw Stones Friend Armat

    Hazard Firmino Lamela Deulofeu Capoue

    Aguero Ibra Long

    B:
    Hazard, Lamela and Long out

    Oscar, Redmond and Vardy in

    A or B?

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A looks g2g

  14. jurgenklopp.8
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else tempted by Vardy or Hazard (C) tomorrow?

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

      Yes but I won't do it.

    2. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Nope. Vardy has the early game capt voodoo and Hammers are a strong team.

    3. faver
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      _/

    4. 7 from 3
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      No

  15. F5jason
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    OK.. here goes... RMT please...

    Heaton - Jaku
    Stones - Valencia - Morgan - Friend - Amat
    Hazard - Ayew - Redmond - Alii - Martial
    Aguero - Wilson - Gray

  16. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Best mid 7.5 budget have redmond.x

    1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Tad Oscar

    2. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Oscar > Lamela > Ayew

  17. Wally with the brolly
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Foster Jaku

    Valencia Friend Pieters Stones X

    Redmond Sánchez Capoue Hazard X

    Agüero Gray Vardy

    Any help?
    11 million to fill in the gaps, want crystal palace coverage not sure whether that should be Dann or a midfield though.
    Don't like Pieters either but cant find a better 4.5 defender

  18. Shabaaz
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Valdes

    Stones Amat Friend

    Hazard Eriksen Firmino Tadic

    Vardy Grey Kun

    Foster . Kone , McAuley , Capoue

    am i good to go ?

    1. Wally with the brolly
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good, wouldn't start Amat over McAuley though

      1. Shabaaz
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks mate .. just changed it

        realized i dont have any palace players 😀

        1. Wally with the brolly
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          I'd try and fit one in.... They've got great fixtures, debating myself whether to go with Dann or Townsend

  19. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Is it safe to say that there is no Dead Team Challenge this season?

    p/s who the heck won last season competition anyway?

    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure what happened. I guess it petered out though.

  20. il Brutto
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Think I'm ready to go.

    Hennessey
    Shaw Pieters Amat
    Sanchez Hazard Sterling Zaha
    Aguero Vardy Barrow

    Jakupovic; Friend, Evans, Capoue
    £1,5M in the bank

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

      Love the Barrow pick, certainly better than Gray

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

        Are you confident Amat will keep his place GW2?
        To me it makes sense but who knows what is going through Guidolin's mind. If he doesn't my rotations screwed 😆

        1. il Brutto
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          I think he will if he does well. Van der Horn is only a backup and the possible new CB will need time and I still think it's Amat's place to lose. He has been waiting for his chance patiently for a couple of years and now is his time.

      2. il Brutto
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        It's a bit risky and I orginally had Bojan instead of Capoue because of that but wanted the 1.5 in the bank for flexibility in case someone goes off from the start like Kane/Ibra.

  21. fealdabeirne
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    RMT please not too sure on it!
    De Gea (Robinson)
    Pieters, Stones, Friend (Love, Wilson)
    Mkhitaryan, Hazard, Fabregas, Tadic (Mendy)
    Vardy, Aguero, Gray
    Thanks 🙂

    1. Wally with the brolly
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Mki is a bit of gamble, think theres better options than Fabregas as well

      1. fealdabeirne
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        thanks!

    2. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Very weak defence. I'd ditch fab and beef it up.

      1. fealdabeirne
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        will do thanks!

  22. fpork
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone considered Diomande? Really cheap, and will most likely play. I think he has the potential to be a big surprise this year.

    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I dont think he's good enough

  23. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Martial or Firminio is the question.....

    1. st4rt__
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      It's not. It's Firmino.

  24. PEPSIMAN
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Good to go here?

    Thanks a lot!

    Heaton/Jak
    Valencia/Stones/Friend/Amat/Evens
    Haz/Firmino/Mahrez/Remond/Capoue
    Kun/Vardy/Gray

    1. F5jason
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Strong midfield, good balance in defence and attack. Like it, please RMT above

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

        Thanks a lot.

  25. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Lost on previous post/ page.

    We don't care.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      It wasn't lost, nobody cares 😉

  26. OneTwo
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Looking for a money league...cheers and good luck to all!

  27. ThatAsianGuy17
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Hazard, Redmond, Fischer

    B) Oscar, Tadic, Capoue

    1. ThatAsianGuy17
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      swap capoue and Fischer around

  28. Moyesinho
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    I know this is ridiculously top heavy. But I am seriously considering going for it:

    Valencia-Morgan-Stones-Friend
    Gylfi-Martial-Redmond
    Vardy-Aguero-Zlatan

    I might get rid of Vardy or Zlatan and get another premium midfielder in, but I really like the look of this.

    Thoughts?

    1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Not martial other than that it's ok

  29. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Could you give me your thoughts on this team please

    Forster. (Heaton)
    Valenica. Stones. Friend. (Amat. Williams)
    Redmond. Ayew. Hazard. Watson. Firmino. (Watson)
    Aguero. Vardy. Carroll.

    I have 0.5m in the bank.

    Should I get Eriksen over Firmino?

    Cheers

    1. st4rt__
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Keep Firmino.

    2. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      No way

  30. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Really considering a vardy (c) over Aguero...... But I hate going against Aguero!

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I am doing Vardy (C)

    2. Moyesinho
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I think I might too. Aguero as captain is so boring.