The Scout Squad – Gameweek 3

Something’s got to give this Gameweek. Someone’s going to be wrong.

Nearly 100,000 Fantasy Premier League managers have ditched Harry Kane since the weekend, but our Scouts are sticking by him.

The Spurs striker has one last chance to break his August hoodoo when Burnley come to Wembley on Sunday. You suspect the combined expertise of our Fantasy Football Scout regulars and current Hall of Fame #1 Peter Kouwenberg might not be so forgiving again should he blank for the third successive match.

Marcos Alonso’s double against Spurs means he’s also popular, while Crystal Palace assets in defence and attack are feeling the love despite the zero points that Frank de Boer’s men have thus far returned this season.

The visit of shot-shy Swansea City to Selhurst Park is the reason for that, but more predictable big guns – Chrisitan Eriksen and Henrikh Mkhitaryan among them – dominate our Scouts’ thoughts in midfield.

Here are the initial opinions of our selection panel.

Paul says…

I was intending to favour Watford’s left flank at home to Brighton, with both Jose Holebas and Richarlison likely to trouble the visitors’ veterans right-back, Bruno.

Both produced four key passes in the win at Bournemouth, while the Brazilian’s total of eight shots in the box is top for midfielders after two Gameweeks.

But Holebas’ dismissal in the Carabao Cup puts paid to that, although the in-form Richarlison remains in my plans.

Pep Guardiola’s decision to haul off Gabriel Jesus at the break against Everton has me second-guessing Man City’s side for their visit to Bournemouth. David Silva’s budget-friendly 8.0 price tag brings him into contention, having created more chances than any team-mate so far.

I’m keeping faith with Harry Kane. Number one forward for shots and efforts in the box, he hosts a Burnley outfit that placed second-bottom for attempts conceded in the penalty area last term.

Christian Benteke could also be in profit at home to a Swansea City side that sits bottom for shots conceded in the box and big chances against. No forward has registered more big chances than the Palace striker, despite his failure to find the net.

Peter says…

The boringly predictable Romelu Lukaku and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have served me well in both the Scout Picks and my own squad since Gameweek One, even if points have tended to come late on in matches. There are compelling arguments in favour of Paul Pogba and even Anthony Martial, but I’m staying loyal to my original pairing. For now.

By contrast, my faith in Bournemouth’s assets is rapidly failing. I know that Manchester City failed to impress on Monday night, but I think they’ll bounce back against a Cherries side which lacks the confidence or defensive stability which Everton showed in abundance. While I feel reports of Kevin De Bruyne’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, I’m going for the cheaper and less hairy option of David Silva.

As highlighted in recent articles, Harry Kane’s August hoodoo conceals the fact that he has fired off 14 attempts on goal, eleven in the box and four on target.

Burnley have been fairly miserly in terms of shots conceded in the box, but my view of the phrase ‘class is permanent’ means Kane can’t go three games without a blank, so I’m holding on come hell or high water.

On the other hand, Christian Eriksen has been delivering his usual regular assists, while promising some goal threat himself, and he too retains his position in my squad, along with team-mate Ben Davies.

Brighton have conceded more big chances (six) than anyone bar Swansea, while Watford – perhaps surprisingly – lie fifth for shots on target, so bringing in Richarlison seems an easy shout.

The Seagulls may also struggle to find their first goal of the season against the Hornets, so Miguel Britos fills another cheap slot. Overall, it’s an interesting week in terms of fixtures and quite a few low to mid-range assets could top the weekly points by 6pm on Sunday.

Jonty says…

Spurs’ clash with Burnley on Sunday is dominating my selection.

Given that the Clarets only managed 13 goals on the road last season, I’m backing clean sheet points for my top defender pick Ben Davies. He also gets my vote after registering more corners than Christian Eriksen so far this campaign.

Speaking of the Dane, he is my top midfielder this week after assisting all three of Spurs goals so far. With Burnley failing to keep a clean sheet to this point – and only mustering four shut-outs on the road last season – this looks an ideal fixture for him.

One of the reasons I’ve shunned Kevin De Bruyne for the trip to Bournemouth is that I think Eriksen offers the chance of more points this week and beyond, for 0.5 less.

However, I’d still like to see Manchester City attacking coverage, so have nominated David Silva for inclusion. In a free central midfield role, he has created nine chances so far – the same as Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan and only one less than the league’s most creative player, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.

Harry Kane has to be my top striker for this set of fixtures, despite his failure to score against Newcastle and Chelsea this season, or indeed ever in the Premier League during August. With the goals imminent table in hand, I’ll be referring to his 14 goal attempts over that period – more than any other player so far – to back him as the first name on the Scout Picks’ teamsheet.

Elsewhere, West Ham’s trip to Newcastle appeals as the Hammers look to capitalise on a strong attacking display in their 3-2 loss away to Southampton. Michail Antonio is perhaps slightly over priced at 7.5 but I think, given his four shots and lowly 0.3% ownership, he could reward those who draft him in.

However, I concede that a Spot the Differential article place may be more fitting for him, particularly as his team-mate Javier Hernandez (7.1) has a kinder price tag and heads into the weekend off a St Mary’s brace.

Mark says…

I’ve tried desperately not to give in to knee-jerk tendencies, keeping faith with some names that – so far this week – have been labelled as disposable by some.

To an extent, that begins in defence where I’m taking a risk on Kieran Trippier.

I want to cover Spurs’ rearguard against Burnley and, while Ben Davies clearly has merits, I can’t dismiss Trippier’s qualities as a provider of goals. Five assists from six starts last season demonstrated his talents and, if he’s passed fit for Gameweek 3 as I expect, then he has to be in the Picks.

In attacking areas, I’m refusing to give up on Manchester City just yet.

I’ve retained both Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus. The trip to Bournemouth looks to be the ideal fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side to make a statement – only Swansea have allowed more chances than the Cherries so far this season.

An early breakthrough for City will bring Bournemouth on to them, and I can see their attack picking them off with three or four goals. De Bruyne and Jesus remain the star attractions for me – despite back-to-back blanks.

But the Spurs attack also has to be covered. Both Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane look essential, but hopefully, with the likes of Matt Phillips and Andre Gray in my squad, I’ve put forward some value options to help balance the budget come Friday.

The Community Champion

Representing the Community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek will be Malcolm Tucker for England manager. This is his ninth season, with 2013/14’s finish of 8,086 his best yet.

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).

Last Gameweek’s champion Urchin beat the Scouts 34 to 23 and is now the manager to beat in the race for the £100 prize.