Scouting The Doubles

Scouting the Doubles – Gameweek 34 – Liverpool

Liverpool look to bounce back from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa as they undertake back-to-back road matches in their Gameweek 34 double. The Reds will need to overcome a resurgent West Bromwich Albion side and a Hull City outfit fighting for survival if in their quest to put pressure on fourth-placed Manchester City.

The Prospects

First up on the agenda for Brendan Rodgers’ men is a visit to The Hawthorns. Coming off the back of an accomplished 2-0 away win over high-flying Crystal Palace, Tony Pulis’ have arrested a run of three successive losses, though it’s worth noting that their rearguard has been breached on seven occasions in their last two home matches, playing into the hands of Fantasy managers eyeing up the Reds’ attacking contingent for the double.

Furthermore, the West Midlanders’ forward line has struggled for form of late; strike duo Saido Berahino and Brown Ideye have combined for just five goals in as many Gameweeks – although the latter was only fit enough for a bench role at Selhurst Park by virtue of a knee complaint.

Liverpool lock horns with the Tigers four days later, with Steve Bruce’s troops searching for their first win in seven encounters. The Yorkshire club have conceded eight goals in their last three fixtures and netted just four in their previous six, offering encouragement that Liverpool’s defence can record a shut-out during their visit.

In spite of their recent travails, only league leaders Chelsea have bested Hull at the KC Stadium in their previous four home ties – and even then they gave a strong account of themselves, restricting the Blues to three shots on target and fashioning 19 shots at goal themselves. Considering Hull have been on the road for four of the last six Gameweeks – negatively skewing their form sheet – Liverpool would do well not to underestimate the wounded Tigers.

Likely Lads

Raheem Sterling (8.5) leads the Merseysiders with regards to points per game (4.9) and total score (147) accumulated over the season. Daniel Sturridge’s limited pitch time in the last two Gameweeks has forced the Jamaica-born winger to ramp up his attacking returns, as evidenced by his goal and assist across those fixtures. Much may depend on Brendan Rodgers’ tactics, though, if Sturridge remains sidelined – Sterling was fielded on the left of a 4-3-3 against Newcastle in the previous Gameweek before being utilised as the lone striker in a 3-4-2-1 against Villa in the cup yesterday.

With a points per game average (4.2) that surpasses any of Liverpool’s defensive options, Simon Mignolet (5.3) offers the most consistent route into their rearguard. The Belgian shot-stopper has accrued bonus save points in three of this previous four outings and will fancy his chances of recording shut-outs in three (QPR, CRY, sto) of the Reds’ remaining four fixtures beyond the double.

Alongside the injured Mamadou Sakho, the 5.9-priced Martin Skrtel boasts the best points per game average (4.1) of any Reds defender. Although he’s tallied a solitary strike this campaign, the Slovakian international’s seven-goal haul last term demonstrates his clear aerial ability, whilst his claim for inclusion is strengthened by the fact that Liverpool have registered seven clean sheets in Skrtel’s last ten appearances. His ability to earn bonus points in also worth considering – Skrtel’s total of 22 is greater than any defender so far this season.

Jordan Henderson (6.7) is not only the cheapest viable route into Liverpool’s midfield but also the form player, having delivered attacking returns in five of his last six starts. The former Sunderland has scored three goals from open play during that period while also bagging a fourth from a spot-kick. However, with Lucas Leiva rule out for a fortnight due to a thigh injury, there’s a possibility that Steven Gerrard could be recalled to the starting line-up and placed on set-piece duties- a scenario that would dampen Henderson’s potential.

Philippe Coutinho (7.8) hasn’t netted in five league outings yet underlined his goalscoring potential with the opener in Liverpool’s FA Cup loss to the Villains – his second strike in the last three over all competitions. In terms of goal attempts in his last league six matches, Coutinho leads Sterling by 21 attempts to 12 – given that only two midfielders have managed more over their respective previous six, the Brazilian has been a little unlucky only to score once in that run.

Cheeky Punts

Alberto Moreno (5.3), who’s started Liverpool’s last 14 league ties, represents an enticing alternative to the pricier Skrtel. The Spanish left-back hasn’t scored since Gameweek 19, yet his marauding wing play gives rise to the occasional goalscoring opportunity (five goals in last six appearances) – in fact, his two-goal haul this campaign betters the efforts of any other Liverpool defender.

Daniel Sturridge (11.1) couldn’t recover from a hip knock in time to face Villa but is still in with a chance of being passed fit for the Baggies head-to-head. Due to concerns over his injury, though, it seems very unlikely that the England international will start both matches in the double, yet he did net in a 23-minute cameo against West Ham United on his initial return from a lengthy lay-off and could still deliver in spite of limited pitch time. With the likes of Sergio Aguero in form for City, though, it remains to be seen whether many will be prepared to run the risk with Sturridge in the premium bracket, with his minutes likely to be managed over the run-in.

Steven Gerrard (8.5) has emerged as surprise leftfield choice in the wake of Lucas’ latest setback. The Reds legend hasn’t started since their 3-2 win over Spurs in Gameweek 25 due to injury and suspension but was drafted into the midfield for Liverpool’s Wembley showdown. Gerrard’s set-piece prowess is worthy of of consideration but a lack of security of starts –  throughout and beyond the double –  render him a risky differential.

If you’re struggling for budget, Jordon Ibe could be a real punt. Priced at just 4.3, the attack-minded wide man has started each of the last four league matches he has been available for and only missed out against Villa as he was cup-tied. Fielded on the right of a front three against Newcastle, his versatility offers an alternative at right wing-back should Rodgers retain yesterday’s 3-4-2-1 system.

978 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JÆKS ⭐
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    When is the Chelsea's presser actually? Heard something about an ankle problem for Drogba, so has to be positive news on Remy's situation right, if fit he's nailed on for at least 1 game I'd say

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Friday lunchtime usually.

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Great thanks

  2. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on my DGW team,

    Mignolet

    Ivanovic Bruce Terry

    Henderson Silva Hazard Sterling

    Kane Aguero Murray

    Subs. Krul-Clyne-Benteleb-Bellerin 2.7 in bank

    1. The Generalator
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      good

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the heads up

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers for heads up. cant see anyone else I would want from Liverpool or who from Leicester.

      2. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Also a good chance of all my DGW players playing both games.

  3. MMN
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Terry & Cambiasso

    OR

    B) Schlupp & Fab

    1. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A.

    3. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky - I'd go A

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

  4. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How many red, orange, yellow flags you got?

    Three here - Remy, Toby & Silva.

    1. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2 - Silva and Sturridge

    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Relva

    3. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Remy and Vert (who is going presently)

      1. Pumpkinhead
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I got Vert in 4-5 gw back when Tot looked very strong and had good run. He got my 6 points combined in those gw and only game week Tot got a clean sheet Vert was hurt...

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      4 - Alderweireld, Silva, Sturridge, Rose

    5. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2 - Remy and Silva.

    6. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      4

    7. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      4.....

    8. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Silva, Rose, Dawson, Hutton

      Good excuse to make transfers though. Plenty in the bank for upgrades too.

    9. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      5 - Foster, Hutton, Dawson, Silva, Remy

  5. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    On WC

    Davis, Hamer
    Alder, Dawson, Rose, Terry, Bruce
    Sanchez, Bolasie, Silva, Fab, Haz
    Aguero, Kane, Murray

    Should i do:

    Silva > Sterling/Cout
    Rose > Skrtel
    Hamer > Mignolet
    Bolasie > Cork (so i have funds following week to do Murray > Giroud)

    1. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No
      Yes
      Yes
      Will Cambiasso do?

      1. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        All parts of this.

    2. copps
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      why get bolasie and murray if on a wildcard? seems a waste

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        sorry no the team is what i currently have but wit my WC i was goin to make them changes

    3. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Rose and Hamer for sure.

    4. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes
      Yes
      Up to you. Schmeichel another option.
      DGWer

    5. Colonel Wasabi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

      Yes

      As an alternative idea - consider Schmeichel for one week - more budget for elsewhere ?

      See above - more funds for Giroud available using Schmeichel allowing keeping a better 5th mid or improving Aldy as he's an injury doubt ?

      If you definitely want Migs - then all else looks good.

      1. Colonel Wasabi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        As Pug says - Schmeichel allows Cambiasso 5th mid with DGW.

  6. Pumpkinhead
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WCDWG

    Mig

    Terry, Skrtel, Morgan
    Haz, Fab, stering, Cambiasso
    Ulloa, Aguero, Kane

    A bit to much LEI?

    If either Costa or Sturridge are confirmed fit I will shift Ulloa and either Fab or Skrtel.

    1. MARVELLUS
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      interesting that you have put more value on Liverpool defence than Chelsea. ..

      1. Pumpkinhead
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Solely on because of TV (Migs cheaper than Court) and wanted two attacking Chelsea.

  7. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Mignolet
    Clyne / Bruce / Ivan
    Erik / Haz / Sanchez / Silva
    Kun / Kane / Murray
    (Krul / Pva / Toby / Cork)

    1 FT & 0.6m itb
    A) Eriksen & SIlva -> Sterling & Hendo (-4)
    B) Eriksen & Toby -> Hendo & Moreno (-4)
    C) Eriksen & Clyne -> Sterling & Moreno (-4)
    D) Eriksen, SIlva & Toby -> Sterling, Fab & Moreno (-8)

  8. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Sell Silva or Eriksen for Coutinho?

    1. MARVELLUS
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Eriksen.

    2. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      If Silva is out then your choice is made. If they were both fit I'd sell Eriksen.

    3. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Await for news on Silva - easily Eriksen though if theres any chance Silva will be playing.

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Eriksen

    5. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Eriksen.

    6. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys. Looks like Silva may drop in price tonight, but Eriksen will also drop in the next day or so.

  9. MARVELLUS
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Those of you on a WC, what are you doing with;

    a) Silva
    b) SOT defence.

    currently losing both, but tempted to get Silva back given latest news.

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      losing both

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I wont sell Silva if he's fit.. that is for sure. i've got double Saints defense in Fonte and Toby so got to lose Toby(though i have bellerin and Dawson too)
      In other words.. wish i had my WC

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        oops.. read that as those of you without a WC 🙁 .. ignore

      2. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Valar get this name sorted will you

    3. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Losing Silva keeping Bert (benched)

    4. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Keep a.
      Sell b.

  10. The Raging Bull
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    This seasons FPL high points has to be Southampton 8-0 drubbing of Sunderland and DGW 31 where Charlie boy delivered the points, both occasions I didn't miss the train!

    Great memories!!

    1. MARVELLUS
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Both were great, think the 8 0 as the best, my brother was texting me updates with Tadic AGAIN! !

    2. LOCO ABREU
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      only saints cover that game for me was clyne-6pts 😎
      no dgw players from that poor teams that week 😎

      🙁

  11. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anything wrong with this WC?

    Davis Gilks
    Cahill Moreno Vlaar McShane Duff
    Sterling Coutinho Silva Hazard Fabregas
    Aguero Giroud Vardy(bench except for this GW instead of Giroud)

    0.0 or 0.1itb (depending on another Cambiaso rise)
    GW36 Fabregas or Sterling (if 0,1) to Ramsey or Ozil
    GW37 Aguero to Kane and Coutinho to Sanchez

  12. Think
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Quick vote on star DGWers ?

    Hazard,Fabregas,Henderson,sterling,vardy,ivanovic,Moreno any hcy player ?

  13. copps
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    i have a feeling this will be one of those weeks when theres a clyne/bertrand goal/assist combo and it ruins everyones DGW

  14. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard is active - finally!! Having a very close battle with my ML currently second by only 4 points.

    Good to go?

    Mignolet (Krul)
    Schlupp, Terry, Wollscheid (Clyne, Duff)
    Henderson, Hazard (c), Coutinho, Silva (Philipps)
    Vary, Kane, Aguero

    1. copps
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      i like it. maybe pants instead of krul as mignolet will play every week anyway? then can use him for DGW 37? would have PVA instead of Duff as he's the 5th defender anyway and wont play, so can use in GW37 too (worth a punt). whats your plan on switching to arsneal cover?

      1. Lexi2014
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I like the sound of that. Was thinking abt Ospina but Pants works too. The switches depend on form I guess. Thinking abt Ozil and another. Haven't thought that far ahead! The run in has crept up on me out of nowhere! Thanks for the reply

  15. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Play Heaton(LEI) or Panti(stoke)

    1. Lexi2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go Panti. Leicester seem to have recovere their shooting boots!

  16. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ok had a re-think how is this for my WC team?

    Schmeichel
    Bruce, Skrtel, Terry
    Haz, Sanchez, Sterling, Henderson, Fab
    Aguero, Murray

    Kane, Alder, Dawson

  17. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Yellow flags all over the shop... What to do?

    Panti/myhill
    Terry, Bertrand, Dawson (Y),(Alderweireld (Y), Hutton (Amber))
    Hazard, Eriksen, Sanchez, Silva (Y), (Boyd)
    Aguero, Kane, Remy (Y)

    1.4 in the bank

    Eriksen, Hutton to Sterling, Moreno and hope for the best?!

  18. Shearer & Sutton
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Play Clyne or Kane? Just think I go Kane but not sure.

    Mignolet
    Schlupp-Ivan-Skrtel
    Fabregas-Silva-Hazard (C)-Henderson
    Kane-Giroud-Aguero

    (Clyne-Aldi-Boyd)

  19. Mouldmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Evening gents,

    About to hit the button on:

    Eriksen, Fellaini, Clyne -> Sterling, Hendo, Clyne... (-8)

    Worth it?? Or should I stick at -4?

    1. Mouldmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I mean Clyne -> Skrt

  20. GN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WC: Who to choose, who to bench!?

    Davis
    Skrtel Ivan Schlupp
    Hendo Sterling Fab Haz
    Kun Kane Vardy

    Bench: Pantilimon, Sanchez Clyne PVA
    0.2 ITB

    Long-term options to hold then to giroud & kosc prior to gw37?

  21. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    i went lovren. cheapest route in and as far as i can tell he's fine as long as sakho is out. looked a threat from set pieces in the cup semi. moreno is the flair but sadly seems far more likely to get booked than do anything attacking