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. mgrea
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Clyne at any risk tomorrow?

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Milner could be more at risk from Moreno

  2. Chef Ramsey
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Want to go Llorente + Firmino > Giroud + 6.6

    What midfielder should I bring in for 6.6 or under?

    1. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Phillips. Stanislas.

      1. FPL Mentor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        This. Snoddy another option too.

      2. SuperMario
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        these two boys have form and fixtures

    2. Judas
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      giroud and phillips. love that

  3. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    What to do?

    Heaton, Jaku
    Alonso, Cedric, Holebas, Amat, Evans
    Hazard, Eriksen, Sanchez, Siggy, Capoue
    Ibra, Benteke, Origi
    2.3 ITB

    Origi + Hazard to Aguero and Phillips?

  4. william prunier
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any Antonio love?
    Need to ditch Siggy

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He was unlucky not to get more points against Leicester

  5. John t penguin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Heard story that after the year it has been they are holding celebrity big brother in a bed sit

  6. Man Chest Hair United
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Some boring questions here.

    Who's a better pick if I have foster
    A Evans
    B pieters
    Who's more nailed
    A Friend
    B chambers

    1. Bored Bear
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      bb

  7. #Swish41
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Foster
    Walker Azpi Pieters (Amat Holebas)
    Sanchez Hazard Eriksen Lallana (marney)
    Defoe Ibra Benteke

    A. Defoe > Rondon
    B. Defoe / Hazard > Ageuro / Allen (-4)
    C. Eriksen > Phillips (and Holebas / Defoe > Costa / Ake next week)

    I'm leaning to B, annoyingly 0.1 off Phillips...but was leaning on A ten mins ago, and C five mins ago!!

    1. MikeDuff
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

      1. #Swish41
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  8. Kizza_10
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Phillips captain too risky?

    1. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He who dares...

    2. *sigh*
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      It is if theres Somalian pirates about

  9. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    After kane's points haul today do I....
    A. Keep Kane
    B. Get aguero

    Cheers

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

      A

    2. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero didn't touch the ball inside the box at Anfield, not worth the switch just yet imo.

      1. That Fantasy Guy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        See I want to let it ride but aguero massive haul could be detrimental to me. But a blank could be a gain of note. Burnley are not pool :/

    3. MikeDuff
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

    4. Evans
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Who's your captain choice ?

      1. That Fantasy Guy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Was going to go sanchez

    5. nevins84
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Same dilema... There opponents this week just swing it

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

    Is Mustafi going to start this GW?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I think yes.

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

        Ta

    2. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      The general consensus is yes

  11. Takedog1
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    negredo
    rondon
    benteke
    origi

    pick 1 for this gw

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Rondon

    2. SuperMario
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      bent eke

    3. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

  12. UnitedFan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Would you bench Alonso (tot) or still play him in case of attacking returns even if your other defenders have good fixtures?

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

      never bench alonso

    2. mgrea
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      It's possible he's injured

      1. John t penguin
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Where is this source?

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Benching Al is criminal. Only ever blanked once

  13. mattzkn
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Carroll to Rondon on a FT?

    1. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, I'd do it.

    2. SuperMario
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Id do Bentekke and get Phillips for WBA

  14. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any improvements on my WC defence?

    Grant, Boruc,
    Koscielny, Brunt, Jones, Baines, Chambers

    1. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Can you get a Spurs defender in if you put in someone like Jaku or Holgate?

    2. Evans
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Like you I've got Koscienly but I really wanted bellerin

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'd lose Jones. Daniels is fun to own. Boruc > Hennessey and hope Big Sam works his magic. Like the Baines pick.

  15. JIM BOB
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    When does Afobe go to ACON?

    Looks like Wilson will be nailed for a nice run of fixtures....

    1. M.A.G
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He refused to join his national team

      1. JIM BOB
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Really? Like Nyom?

  16. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Saving FT for the first time since early November. Feels weird.

  17. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Best defender for 5.2 or below ?

    I have Alonso brunt Ake and jones

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pieters

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Dann?

  18. Manani
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    save FT??

    Grant Hennesy
    Alonso Holebas Nyom Ake Chambers
    Sanchez Eriksen Lallana Phillips Fletcher
    Aguero Costa Benteke

    .6m in bank

    1. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes - then get rid of Holebas and Nyom next week IMO.

  19. Junior ⚽
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    A)Play Emre Can
    B) Alli -4

    1. MikeDuff
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Can

  20. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Good morning from Australia managers.

    Am I good to go? Is the bench set right? I'm sure there will be some big outs this game week.

    1ft, 1.9itb

    Heaton
    Alonso / Pieters / McAuley
    Sanchez (c) / Hazard (vc) / Eriksen / Lallana / Phillips
    Ibrahimovic / Defoe

    Pickford / Friend / Cedric / Diamonde.

    1. MikeDuff
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe Defoe to Benteke

    2. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'd swap Friend and Pieters, other than that, all good

  21. Gooner97
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

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

    1FT, 0.5ITB

    A) Walker to Mustafi
    B) Origi to Rondon
    C) Holenbas to Brunt
    D) Other

    1. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

    2. Cevap
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      probably C or maybe Friend instead?

  22. Gaztafari
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Not sure how I've managed to get 3 Swansea players in my team! Need to keep an eye on results more often. Any word on Llorente? Best replacement if injured? Rondon or Negredo? 0.1 in bank

    1. Evans
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Rondon

    2. John t penguin
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Isn't keeping an eye on results a sort of basic requirement

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      you do ron ron don

  23. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Am I crazy with this idea?

    Hazard+Carroll>Philips+Kun -4

  24. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Marshall Pickford
    Alonso Vertonghen Holebas Evans Amat
    Sanchez Hazard Sigurdsson Phillips Fletcher
    Costa Ibra Wilson
    1 FT 0.8 ITB

    A) Siggy > Lallana
    B) Holebas > Ake
    C) Hazard > Alli and upgrade Wilson (-4)
    D) Get a new keeper
    E) Other

  25. DantheManinaPan
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    So... Siggy has to go?

    1. william prunier
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, think I'm doing Antonio

    2. Evans
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Well I did....his last score was GW 15

  26. Manchester 17
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hey guys,

    Jaku/Heaton
    Alonso/Kosc/Jones/Amat/Francis
    Mane/Haz/Sanchez/Snoddy/De Roon
    Kane/Ibra/Anichebe

    2FT

    What to do with the 2 transfers?

    Cheers!

  27. Bubz
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Phillips actually any good or is he just on a lucky streak?

    1. MikeDuff
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He's good. The season Austin was amazing for QPR, Phillips was an excellent option then as well. Pulls lives him, says he just needs more confidence

    2. Arctic monkeys
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He is good, thought he was lucky at first then saw the highlights and changed my mind.

    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He's pretty good. I started the season with him but he was restricted by Pulis's awful reductionist tactics. They've opened up since.

  28. Thunder Warrior
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    1) Origi, Hazard and Alonso to Kun, Cabaye and Brunt for a hit to have front 3 Ibra Costa Kun?
    2) Or just Ibra and Alonso to Kun and Brunt?

  29. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    So much to disagree with the scout picks. 3 Palace players yet they have just 48 hours to prepare. Same with Watford. Where is Crouch or Allen? Watford that have so many injuries they've called up a bunch of kids from the youth team. Where is Giroud or Pogba? players in form.

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

      Snoddy shold be up there as well.

    2. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I thought it was strange picking players from teams that have been completely hopeless. Picking a Palace defender is pushing it big time

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Crouch could be a cheeky punt

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Swansea. B'mouth is a different matchup for Giroud.

    5. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Agree. No Allen, Pogba is crazy. Granville for president.

    6. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      At least there's no Holgate this time 🙂

    7. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A lot of articles to complete in the shortest of GW turnarounds plus the threat of rotation is rife ... a tough one to write, to be fair.

  30. nevins84
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Heres how i currently stand with 2fts and .6 itb

    Grant
    Friend Alonso Holeobas
    Sanchez Hazard Siggy Lalanna
    Costa Kane Carroll

    Pick Amat DeRoon Francis

    The plan was a
    Aggy to Kane and Siggy to Phillips..
    But Aggy looked poor and Kanes in good form now so im worried on that one, although the fact Kane got chelsea next eases that worry a little..
    My new concern is Alonso..
    If hes out Francis (ARS) comes in which is a 2pt best case scenario... So im now thinking of getting Baines for Holeobas with Phillips for Sig..
    Would i be best to secure my defence with Baines ..or... go as planned with Aggy and Phillips for Kane n Sig..Dont wanna take a hit