The Scout Squad – Gameweek 5

Our esteemed panel of Fantasy Football Scout regulars and Hall of Fame #1 Peter Kouwenberg have been taking a bit of a Scout Squad beating this season.

They’re now turning to some big-ticket players to reverse their fortunes, with star names from Spurs, both Manchester clubs and Liverpool among their budget-busting suggestions this week.

But they know the numbers, and that means there’s plenty of cheap options they’ll be hoping will make them cheerful as well, with a lot of love for Newcastle United keeper Rob Elliot in particular.

But Mark’s new-found taste for stirring the pot promises all manner of bickering, and Liverpool tyro Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to be a major flash point, although he has an ally in Peter for that particular battle.

We’ll be back with the gory details of their deliberations before Gameweek 5’s Friday night kick-off, but here’s a look at their thoughts in the meantime.

Paul says…

Manchester City and United, along with Spurs and Liverpool, play a big part in my thinking – the four teams supply a combined nine of the 15 players.

I’ve opted for a handful of differentials based on recent statistics.

Palace’s Scott Dann had four efforts in the box last weekend and hosts a Southampton side that have conceded more aerial attempts than any other. That could allow Dann (and team-mate Christian Benteke) the chance to profit as the Eagles look to regroup after the departure of Frank de Boer.

Huddersfield’s Tom Ince is ranked third top among FPL midfielders for attempts on goal over the first four Gameweeks. The winger fired six efforts in Monday’s loss at West Ham and now entertains a Leicester City outfit that has conceded a chance every 5.4 minutes – only two sides boast inferior records.

Joselu and Eric Choupo-Moting go head-to-head at St James’ Park, with both looking in fine form following summer moves to Newcastle and Stoke City respectively.

No player in the Premier League has registered more shots on target than Joselu’s nine this season. That’s all the more impressive when you consider he didn’t make his debut until Gameweek 2 as a second-half sub away to Huddersfield.

And Choupo-Moting’s statistics suggest that his double against United may be a sign of what’s to come. Since making his first start for the Potters in Gameweek 2, only Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku have produced more shots inside the box than the Cameroon international’s nine.

Mark says…

I stirred the hornet’s nest in the ScoutCast and I’m doing it again with my squad. I’m just a rabble rouser these days.

For starters, I’m firmly backing Dele Alli over Christian Eriksen.

The Dane will surely be the more weary of the two heading into Saturday’s meeting, with Alli suspended from tonight’s game.

On top of that, Alli has offered the greater goal threat (7 shots v 4) and matched Eriksen for chances created with six apiece in home matches. I fail to see an advantage for the Dane going into the Swansea clash.

Elsewhere, I’ve also stuck to my guns with the selection of Rob Elliot in goal and Trent Alexander-Arnold in defence.

At just 4.0, I don’t see a case to overlook the Magpies stopper. The Newcastle defence can be backed against Stoke and Elliot has shown that he has an advantage when it comes to the Bonus Points System.

As for Alexander-Arnold, he sat out the European tie with Sevilla and I believe that’s with a start against Burnley in mind.

Jurgen Klopp likes his full-backs to attack, particularly down the right with Mohamed Salah tucked inside. Last season Nathaniel Clyne received more passes in the attacking third than any other full-back – although you’d hardly know it as Clyne only mustered two assists.

Alexander-Arnold has more about him in attacking areas.

I think he will be preferred over Joe Gomez in matches against teams that need breaking down and Burnley at Anfield fits that profile exactly.

With corners and direct free-kicks in his armoury and a price tag of 4.5, resistance is surely futile, although I’m bound to face another round of it come Friday’s Scout Picks.

Jonty says…

Our 83 million budget will be severely tested this week, with heavy hitters among the ranks of Spurs, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs all having strong fixtures.

As a result, I’ve opted for a sprinkling of budget options to help accommodate as many premium picks as we can.

Among the pricey options, Spurs’ talisman and current captain poll leader Harry Kane looks a shoo-in.

His brace last weekend at Goodison Park and a home tie against a Swansea side with a dire record this campaign in terms of conceding chances and shots in the box just cannot be ignored.

I’d also like to see his team-mate Christian Eriksen, who also scored against Everton and has only failed to deliver returns once this season, involved.

FPL’s top points scorer Ben Davies is another essential pick for me. He has two double-digit scores out of four and offers great value at 5.7.

Romelu Lukaku, with attacking returns in three out of four, is up against former club Everton at Old Trafford and is another I fancy to prosper, as is a City attacker, away to a Watford side they demolished 5-0 at Vicarage Road last season.

Gabriel Jesus is my favoured Sky Blues option – he’s scored three in his last two.

The Gunners have shipped 13 goals in their last four league trips to Stamford Bridge, which makes Chelsea representation key for me.

Of the three Blues candidates I’ve put forward, I’ll be particularly keen to see Eden Hazard included as he’s scored in three of his last four home matches against Arsene Wenger’s troops.

My cast of cheap enablers is dominated by Newcastle assets, including stopper Rob Elliot and set-piece specialist Matt Ritchie.

The Geordies host a Stoke side that has only mustered three shots on target in their two away run-outs.

At 4.9, Bournemouth’s attack-minded defender Charlie Daniels looks another excellent value selection. He’s at home to a Brighton side that have the joint-worst tally of close range shots conceded this season.

Peter says…

Having championed Sadio Mane and Paul Pogba in last week’s picks (both now dead wood in my post-Wildcard team), plus Tom Heaton, I’m wary of cursing any more of my own players this week, particularly writing this with European fixtures ongoing.

But Spurs and Liverpool are the obvious triple-ups, with both sides more than capable of serving up a goal fest and their respective opponents, Swansea and Burnley, vulnerable enough to play their part.

Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Ben Davies are no brainers, with Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and (subject to Champions League exertions) Trent Alexander-Arnold my Anfield aces.

Apparently, it is madness to do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results and my Hornet-happy mates have been quick to point out my unsuccessful backing of Watford’s opponents.

Nonetheless, I’m backing Manchester City to keep doing what they do at Vicarage Road and am turning to Gabriel Jesus and, after being impressed with his attacking intent, Benjamin Mendy for my final premium-rate players before the bargain hunt.

Newcastle, West Ham and Brighton all have inexpensive midfielders who have – albeit sporadically – impressed, so Matt Ritchie, Michail Antonio and Pascal Groß complete a modest midfield.

Newcastle also offer the potential of cheap clean sheet points through Rob Elliot and Jamaal Lascelles.

The Community Champion

Representing the Community against the Scouts in Gameweek will be Graeme Sumner, aka Gregor. He is expected to provide a stern test as he is in our Career Hall Top 5 and finished in 29th spot overall last season.

The community champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2017/18 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Gameweek 4’s champion Darth_Krid defeated the Scouts by 36 to 33. But the manager to beat remains Malcolm Tucker for England Manager, who won by a 29-point margin in Gameweek 3.