Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 20

With the deadline for the final set of festive fixtures looming at 11.30 am tomorrow, we opt for a late night reveal for the Gameweek 20 Scout Picks.

Our latest search for value between the sticks has us acquire Middlesbrough’s Victor Valdes (4.5) ahead of Leicester City’s visit to the Riverside Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.

In their nine road trips, the Foxes have mustered an unimpressive eight goals, which immediately promotes the short-term stock of the Middlesbrough stopper.

In addition, Claudio Ranieri’s men have mustered 39 goal attempts from outside the box away from home – joint top for that metric. That gives us the added security that Boro keeper may just add save points to his Gameweek 20 tally.

Swansea City’s dreadful form ahead of their visit to Selhurst Park has prompted us to welcome Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann (5.2) into the fold.

Dann has recorded more close range efforts than any other defender this season and earned an assist from a set-piece when the two sides last met in the 5-4 goal-fest back in Gameweek 13.

The Swans have also scored just seven goals on the road, indication that we may even catch sight of the lesser-spotted Eagles clean sheet.

Hull City share a similarly dreadful away record to the Swans, which has put West Brom’s Chris Brunt (5.0) on our radar ahead of the Tigers’ visit to The Hawthorns.

Owned by just 1.9%, we’re backing Brunt for another start and a role on the flank. From open play or from dead-balls, Brunt’s assured delivery can promise attacking returns and, given that Mike Phelan’s side have scored just five goals in nine away games, Brunt is a candidate for double-digits.

Completing our three-man back line is Manchester United’s Phil Jones (4.9), who looks assured of a start away to West Ham United, given that he was rested at home to Middlesbrough in Gameweek 19.

Alexis Sanchez (11.9) is one of three premium picks squeezed into our 84 million budget, recruited ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth.

The Chilean’s peerless record on the road is behind his selection.

With nine goals away from home, more than any other player, Sanchez is simply too strong an option to ignore. Eddie Howe’s men seem likely to be driven forward by their faithful, Arsene Wenger will therefore perhaps resort to “plan A” and deploy Sanchez back in the central striker role.

To help fund the Gunners man, we have joined more than 106,000 FPL managers who have drafted in West Brom’s Matt Phillips (5.6).

He scored his fourth goal and earned his seventh assist of the campaign, away to Southampton on Saturday.

Granted he played the full 90 minutes in that encounter, but we think his relentless form should ensure that Tony Pulis once again turns to the winger for the visit of Hull City.

Although Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (5.8) departs for duty at the Africa Cup of Nations after Swansea’s visit, we feel that he represents a convincing option for this Gameweek.

The 12.3% owned winger has eight assists and three goals to his name and, while Zaha has blanked in his last four, it’s the Swans’ obliging backline that convinces us. The Welsh club have leaked 13 goals in their last four Gameweeks; 18 in their last six.

As with Phillips, we are hoping that form can trump the fatigue factor and ensure that Adam Lallana (7.6) earns a start for Liverpool at Sunderland.

The 23% owned midfielder has been sensational in recent matches, racking up his seventh assist with a sublime cross in Saturday’s win over Manchester City, adding to a season record that shows the same number of goals.

Our heavyweight attack features the re-introduction of Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (12.8).

Despite marking his return from a four-match ban with a tepid blank against Liverpool on Saturday, we just couldn’t overlook his stronger prospects of returns when Burnley drop by the Etihad Stadium.

The Clarets have shipped 18 goals in eight matches away from home, while the Argentine has scored 10 in his 12 Gameweek starts. In addition, Aguero has already put Sean Dyche’s side to the sword once this season, claiming a brace in City’s trip to Turf Moor in Gameweek 13.

Consistency drives our selection of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.6), who has now delivered at least a goal or assist in all bar one of his last eight Gameweek starts.

With Jose Mourinho recently referring to Manchester United’s talisman as “undroppable” , we feel that Ibrahimovic can also offer us security of start in a Gameweek that could be littered with rest and rotation concerns.

Swansea’s aforementioned defensive record sees us double up on Palace assets and welcome aboard Christian Benteke (7.6) in the XI.

The 9.2% owned Belgian will be hoping to join Spurs’ Harry Kane, West Brom’s Salomon Rondon and Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo to become the fourth striker in succession to earn a double-digit points haul when receiving a visit from the Swans.

Speaking of Rondon (6.7), he claims a spot on our bench with Hull’s unenviable away record the key factor.

The striker was rested to the bench at Southampton on Saturday, but we expect him to start against the Tigers; five of the Venezuelan’s seven goals have arrived at The Hawthorns.

Middlesbrough’s Gaston Ramirez (5.3) claims our midfield bench role and is another player who will feel will outperform his price point in Gameweek 20.

The Uruguayan schemer, who has two goals and a pair of assists so far, looks a certain starter against Leicester City, given that he was only used from the bench against Manchester United in Gameweek 19.

Watford’s current cast of injuries and form that has seen them score just twice in their last four outings, has us turn to Stoke City’s Erik Pieters as our reserve defender.

The Dutchman is expected to take up the role of wing-back against the Hornets and, with Walter Mazzarri’s side nursing a list of casualties on their right-flank, he may even get some joy as the Potters look to build on an encouraging display at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Community Champion

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season. The current champion to beat is Boris Bodega, who achieved a 33 point margin of victory over us in Gameweek 15.

The Gameweek 19 champion Game of Throw Ins opted for a 3-4-3 line up of: Heaton; Azpilicueta, Holgate, A Valencia; Sigurdsson, Alli, Hazard, Lallana; Aguero, Lukaku, Carroll.

Ahead of Sunday’s games, the Scouts were trailing Game of Throw Ins 16 to 25.

Due to the tight turnaround of games the community champion contest is taking a break for this round of fixtures and will resume again for Gameweek 21.

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

4,857 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mingles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Brunt (C)?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I would suggest you have better options but it could pay off

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      nah, you must have better options?

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Don't do it.....

      I've been burnt captaining hull SO many times !

      But of course this time could be different.

    4. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Lol. I came on here to ask the exact same question. Sounds fun.

    5. batmaniac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      McClean returns. Brunt could play full back.

  2. Plymouth
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    Nyom, Kelly, Pieters
    Allen, Sanchez(c), Hazard, Eriksen
    Ibra, Costa, Carroll

    Jakupovic; Siggy, Cresswell, Ward

    0.4ITB 1FT.

    Anything you gents would do about this bunch?

    1. Mingles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be tempted to bench Allen or Carroll over Siggy.

      Could go Siggy -> Lallana and bench Allen?

      1. Plymouth
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Perhaps. But paddy powers odds on Allen scoring is better than Siggys, and i recon CP under Allardyce will close the shop a bit better. Dont know how much more return potential Lallana has contrary to Allen this game?

      2. Plymouth
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Also im a little unsure about Lallanas fitness? Played the full 90 at City new years eve. Might think he would be matched a bit carefully

  3. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Need a bit of assistance here.....2 FT and 0.8 ITB

    Grant Pickford*
    Alonso Cedric Holebas Ake Amat*
    Hazard Sanchez Lallana Siggy DeRoon
    Ibra Costa Anichebe*

    Looking at:

    A) Siggy and Anichebe to Phillips/Snoddy and Rondon
    A) Siggy and Costa To Phillips/Snoddy and Aguero

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 2 months ago

        First A

      • Mingles
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        First one

      • waldo666
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers guys

    2. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Heaton (Pickford)
      Alonso Gibson Holebas (Walker, Amat)
      Hazard Snodgrass Firmino Alli (Allen)
      Kane Ibra Origi

      1FT, 0.5ITB

      What would you do?

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Origi to Rondon

        1. Gooner97
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Is Origi going to start?

          1. waldo666
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Hard to say

      2. MikeDuff
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Save or Firmino Kane to Lallana Aguero

        1. Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          That's the one.

    3. pedro-tacuara
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Have both Firmino and Ozil. Get rid of Firmino and hope Ozil starts?

      1. SANTACLAUS
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Wouldn't bank on Ozil, he has illness and its only 1 more day, doubt wenger would start him.

        1. #Swish41
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Agree with this

          1. pedro-tacuara
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Alright then. Alli and Pogba for Firmino and Ozil for a hit. How does this sound?

      2. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Why does it shake?

        1. pedro-tacuara
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Haha couldnt think of an Interpol song to counter-punt! Big fan of both bands! Good to see someone recognizing the avatar

    4. SANTACLAUS
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Bottomed:

      Foster
      Bellerin,Valencia,Chambers
      Sanchez(V),Phillips,Pogba,Alli
      Aguero(C),Rondon,Costa

      Bench: Valdes,Ake,Kingsley

      Is this wildcard good to go? I wanted to save for DGW but I am only trying to win my mini-league.

    5. adam28193
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Siggy and Costa or hazard and benteke?

      1. SANTACLAUS
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        hazard benteke

      2. jurgenklopp.8
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        second one just...

        1. adam28193
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Would you go for a benteke alternative?

          1. SANTACLAUS
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Rondon

          2. jurgenklopp.8
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            no i'd give benteke these fixtures he's bound to get something.

    6. jurgenklopp.8
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku + Hazard > Kun + philips?

      1. JakesXI
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yep

    7. Jehstafari
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Worthwhile to get Aguero in?

      Zaha & Firmino & Ibra > Allen & Lallana & Aguero (-4)

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I wouldn't lose Ibra for him personally

      2. MikeDuff
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Not Ibra

      3. Mick J
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Looks decent. Zaha’s going away soon, so you’d need to replace him anyway. Lallana is outperforming Firmino at a lower price, so that’s a good trade.

        However, I’m not so sure on Agüero. I can see him not scoring versus Burnley since City seems a bit off. And Pep might bench him.

        Ibrahimovic will play for sure, and he might easily score a couple against West Ham.

    8. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      For how long are Agüero and Costa’s prices frozen? I would’ve liked them to have risen already.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        2 more days

      2. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        3rd January

      3. Shultan
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        3rd jan.
        I would've liked to get akes price rises uswell

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

      Anyone watching West Ham recently at all?
      Does Antonio need to go?

      1. Zebrahimović
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I thought he was making a comeback

    10. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Bench -

      A) Chambers (LEI)
      B) Pieters (WAT)

      1) Valdes (LEI)
      2) Hennessey (SWA)

      Appreciate your thoughts!

      1. Junior ⚽
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I'd start all but
        A 2

      2. MikeDuff
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A2

    11. RossoneriHammer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      GW 20 Team

      Heaton
      Lovren Daniels Brunt
      Sanchez Lallana Antonio Alli Snodgrass
      Costa Aguero

      What thee think?

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        lovely

    12. Zebrahimović
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      So i'm a 3-5-2 man now. Feels good.

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Looks horrible though. It may be my OCD but seeing 3,5,2 on the screen just looks, well, odd.

        1. Zebrahimović
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I know what you mean.

    13. Junior ⚽
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Who would you pick between these two?
      A) Ibrahimovi(C)
      B) (C)osta

      1. Zebrahimović
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A

      2. MikeDuff
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A

      3. Junior ⚽
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Test one done.

      4. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A

    14. Z
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      The beer made me do it!
      Siggy, Eriksen, Origi, Cedric > Phillips, Lallana, Aguero, Aké (-8)

      Heaton Pickford
      Alonso Brunt Jones Aké Amat
      Sanchez Hazard Lallana Phillips deRoon
      Aguero(c) Ibra Benteke

      1. Totally !rre!evant
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Good moves even for a -8

        1. Z
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Thank you for appeasing my conscience

    15. JakesXI
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Start DeRoon or Phillips?

      1. dcarlito
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        You're taking the mick right?

        1. JakesXI
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Not at all Phillips is on good form

      2. Junior ⚽
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        De Roon 🙂

        1. Z
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          +1

        2. JakesXI
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks!

    16. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      How is this WC team? In a draft league and want to confirm the players first:

      Boruc, Grant
      Jones, Stones, Dann, Brunt, Azpilicueta
      Phillips, Hazard, Alli, Pogba, Fletcher
      Costa, Aguero, Giroud

      1. Junior ⚽
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Needs less Scoripion

      2. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I'd have Sanchez in there.

      3. MTPockets
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Not sure about Giroud.
          Wouldn't even consider Stones.

        • Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          High five for same front three. I squeezed Sanchez in though ;/)

      4. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Bench one:

        Jones (whm)
        Carroll (MUN)

        Opinions appreciated! Struggling with this one.

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Play carrol

        2. MikeDuff
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Must be someone worse than them

          1. Garfield1001
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            What about Pieters? Currently playing him

        3. MTPockets
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Jones

        4. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Why are people booting Firmino?

          1. Our Tiny Windows
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Lallana is better value. Firmino is no longer a false 9. His form is way down too.

        5. #Swish41
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Is this too ballsy (-8)

          Defoe > Ageuro
          Hazard > Phillips
          Holebas > Ake

          1. SheBangsTheDrums
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Good moves

          2. MTPockets
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I'd postpone the defender move if possible.

            • Reggie Nainggolan
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Do it

            • Our Tiny Windows
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Go for it.

          3. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Does
            Haz + Ibra > Lallana + Aguero for free sound good?

            Thanks

            1. #Swish41
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Hmmm, probably not yet

            2. MikeDuff
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Nonono

            3. waldo666
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Nope

          4. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Will Origi Start?

            1. jurgenklopp.8
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              yes

            2. Jimmers
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Consensus appears to be yes

            3. Gooner97
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Thanks

          5. lordkippe
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Please help me out guys.

            Heaton

            Jones - Lovren - Pieters

            Sanchez - Hazard - Antonio - Phillips

            Ibra - Kane - Carroll

            Jakupovic - De roon - Alonso - Amat

            Got 0 FT but got 2.0 ITB.

            1. Is it worth taking in aguero in some way ?
            2. I got 4 players in west ham vs Manchester united, should I take a hit and get rid of antonio or carroll ?

          6. The Big Fella
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Did anybody watch the Liverpool - City match sober? I can't remember much of it. How did Aguero play? Was going to get him in but thinking of Kane now instead.

            1. SheBangsTheDrums
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Watched MOTD this morning and I'm sure they said he didn't touch the ball in the penalty area.

              Class is permanent though

              1. The Big Fella
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                He may have been rusty..... Pep is doing my head in. I really can't choose between the two of them. I could get of Hazard and get both but then I have no Chelsea cover.

            2. BLANKET DEFENCE
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Aguero didn't look that good. However like many of the other good strikers in the league he can opinions in one half of football

              1. BLANKET DEFENCE
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                *change opinions

          7. FPL Mentor
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            RMT

            Heaton
            Brunt Gabriel Jones
            Sanchez Hazard Lallana Phillips
            Aguero(C) Ibrahimovic Carroll

            (Pickford*, Can, Holebas, Amat*)

            How we looking?

            1. Our Tiny Windows
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Perfect. Just a messy bench.

          8. Scotty B
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Heaton
            Clyne Evans Baines Pieters
            Lallana Sanchez Hazard
            Defoe Kane Ibrahimovic

            Pickford Fletcher Capoue Amat

            0.4 ITB & 1 FT

            Should I:-
            A - Save FT
            B - Hazard & Defoe > Phillips & Aguero for a -4?

            1. SheBangsTheDrums
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              B - primarily as I've done those myself

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

            Based on fixtures:
            A) Grant
            B) Valdes

            Cheers!

            1. Junior ⚽
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              A

          10. Shultan
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Captain sanchez or ibra

            1. Weasel Boy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Ibra.
              Think Sanchez is suffering pts wise cos of his current position

          11. E25
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            0.1 itb with 1 FT.
            Thoughts on...
            A) siggy -> Phillips
            B) save FT to move funds into Brunt or alternative cheap forward next gw

            Heaton
            Alonso Walker pieters
            Haz Sanchez siggy Lallana
            Costa ibra Carroll

            Pickford Holebas capoue Amat