Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 17

We tackle rotation fears head on this afternoon and reveal the players from yesterday’s Scout Squad article who have earned a Scout Picks berth ahead of tonight’s 6.45pm deadline.

As this is the second of three Gameweeks within a packed ten-day period, we have looked to select as many sure starters as possible.

That begins in goal, with Manchester United’s David De Gea (5.8) getting the nod.

The Spaniard has started every league match this season and looks ideal for an enticing home clash with Bournemouth.

The Cherries have failed to find the net in half of their eight road trips, but should De Gea’s goal line be breached, he also offers us potential points having notched 14 save points and earned bonus on four occasions.

Manchester City’s Nicolas Otamendi (6.0) is another who is unlikely to be rested with fellow centre-backs John Stones and Vincent Kompany sidelined.

The Argentine’s ability to earn points at both ends of the pitch is another driver for his selection. He tops the defender scoring table with four goals and travels to a Swansea City side that has scored a league-low five goals at home.

Since the weekend, when he scored the winner at Old Trafford, more than 161,000 FPL managers have acquired Otamendi’s services.

Doubts over the fitness of Burnley defenders Ben Mee and Matt Lowton means that Sean Dyche can ill afford to rest his top FPL asset Stephen Ward (5.2), who has a goal, assist and nine bonus returns this campaign. No side have conceded fewer goals at home than the Clarets’ (three).

Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen (5.5) has started the last six league matches and has also looked immune to rotation to this point. We are banking on him to make the starting XI for the Blues trip to Huddersfield.

The Terriers are the joint third worst side for shots at home (79), and it is worth noting that Christensen has looked a threat at set-pieces, mustering five shots, all from close range, over his previous six outings.

Jurgen Klopp rested a raft of players for Sunday’s Merseyside derby, which has offered us some clues as to who may start at home to West Brom on Wednesday.

Although full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold (4.2) has been used only sporadically this season, having been benched against Everton, and with recent starts against Southampton and Brighton, he looks poised to get the nod at right-back against the Baggies.

He also offers considerable assist potential. In his Gameweek 15 away clash with the Seagulls he racked up more successful passes in the final third (20) and more crosses (four) than any of his team-mates and has created 11 chances in just five appearances.

Another Red to earn a Scout Picks spot after being benched at the weekend is Philippe Coutinho (9.0), who has been in exceptional form, scoring two and assisting a further four in his last three league starts.

With 11.1% ownership, he also looks a shrewd captaincy pick for those seeking a dramatic rise up the rankings.

Mohamed Salah (9.9) joins the Brazilian in a Liverpool midfield double-up.

The Egyptian was substituted after 66 minutes against Everton suggesting that he will again start on Wednesday evening. Even so, Salah would have been difficult to ignore given that he is leading the Golden Boot race with 13 goals and has racked up seven double-digit hauls.

Antonio Conte’s revelation that striker Alvaro Morata will miss tonight’s clash at the John Smith’s Stadium should lock in a start for Eden Hazard (10.9) – possibly even as a false nine. After the Blues’ loss to West Ham last time out, Conte will be less inclined to rest the Belgian, who has scored three and picked up two assists in his previous trio of road trips.

David Silva (8.1) has started all but one league outing for Manchester City this season. Add in goals in back-to-back matches and a league-high eight assists, and the playmaker makes the cut in our midfield.

Harry Kane (12.9) is now a “lock in” for the Scout Picks. He’s started every league encounter when fit and scored his fifth brace of the season, against Stoke City at Wembley, at the weekend. He now faces a Brighton side on a woeful run of defensive form, having shipped ten goals in the last five Gameweeks.

After his weekend heroics, the Spurs striker sits at the summit of our Captain Poll and is the most popular transfer target this week, with more than 172,000 new owners.

We have just enough left in our 84m budget to opt for in-form Southampton striker Charlie Austin (6.2), who hosts a Leicester side that has just one clean sheet and shipped 13 goals on their travels. Over his last three starts, the forward – who has picked up more than 119,000 new managers this week – has netted four times.

Everton are looking far more resilient under new boss Sam Allardyce, earning a clean sheet against Huddersfield and restricting Liverpool to just a single goal.

For their trip to Newcastle we have handed a bench place to Jonjoe Kenny (4.3), who looks set to continue to deputise for the injured Seamus Coleman at right back.

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (6.9) also claims a sub role at home to a Watford side that have conceded an average of two goals per game over their last five away fixtures.

Handed a role up front, the Ivory Coast international has scored or assisted in all but one of the Eagles’ last five at Selhurst Park and looks set to profit against a Hornets defence hit by injury and suspension.

Another Everton asset to earn a bench spot is Dominic Calvert-Lewin (5.3), who became FPL’s best value forward with his fifth assist of the campaign against Liverpool.

We have high hopes of returns against a Magpies team which, along with Stoke, has conceded more goals (11) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks.

The 20-year-old is another popular transfer target, with more than 144,000 FPL managers securing his services this week.

The 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.

This week’s champion is Hordar, who has opted for 4-4-2 formation of: Pope; Alonso, Rose, Kolasinac, Bardsley; Martial, Willian, Coutinho, Sanchez; Aguero, Firmino.

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

1,860 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Puppy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Fabianski
    Apzi - Ward - Kiko*
    Salah - Hazard - Richarlison - Sterling
    Kane - Morata* - DCL

    Elliot - RLC, Daniels, Duffy

    1. FPL Puppy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Kane (C)

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yup, keep Morata

      1. FPL Puppy
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Of course, just highlighted the players that are a doubt or, in Morata’s case, not available. 🙂

  2. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Think Morata to someone is worth a hit? Can’t afford Kane.

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'm keeping.

    2. FPL Puppy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      If you don’t have Kane, who are your other attackers?

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Vardy and Firmino. Shifted funds around last week to afford Hazard.

    3. FPL Puppy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      But I would still keep Morata, especially if you bought him cheap.

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I’d probably want him back anyway. I’m leaning towards keeping him.

    4. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Who’s your first sub? If they will play, then you need to transfer in a 6-pointer at least.

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Gross. Just thinking about rotation. Only got two subs due to Lowton’s injury and I’ve one or two that I’ve got a feeling might get a rest.

  3. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    GTG
    Ederson
    Kolasinac, ward, schluup
    Coutinho (vc),cork,hazard,sterling, surman
    Kane (c), calvert-lewin
    Bench, elliot, daniels, naughton, morata

  4. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone know if Kiko plays?

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No one for sure. Probably not.

      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        thanks.

    2. FPL Puppy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Would like to know this to, but we will probably not get any more info until after the deadline. Make sure to have you bench prepared, incase he doesn’t play.

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Looks 50-50, but I've seen no clues lately. I'd play and hope.

  5. PompeyUpNorth!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Keep morata and play Grob or one week punt on Ageuro or Lacazette capt?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero if for free

    2. Steirish
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Same scenario I benched morata

  6. ManUtdFan_UK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Fabianski (Elliott)
    Christensen, Otamendi, Maguire, Ward (Daniels)
    Hazard, Salah, Ramsey (RLC, A.King)
    Kane, Morata, DCL

    0FT, £1.7 ITB

    Stupidly did Silva > Ramsey last week.
    Already done Abraham > DCL before the Ramsey news, now looking to replace Ramsey.

    A) Sterling
    B) Silva
    C) Richarlison

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

  7. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Kiko Kola Christensen
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Hazard RLC
    Kane (c) Austin
    Elliott Morata Kenny Duffy

    Nothing itb and 0ft

    A. Gtg.
    B) Firmino in for Morata (I won't be able to afford him back without 2 transfers).
    C) Change bench order.

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Keep especially if you can't afford him back.

      Kenny Duffy Morata bench order

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers figu. All the best for the game week.

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers Victor

  8. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    If you had sanchez, would you captain?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A worthy punt yes - if you are chasing especially

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nope, differential in itself

  9. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    There seems to be a lot of people worried about rotation and with good reason. Glancing through the top teams in all my leagues though almost everyone has 1-3 players flagged and midfielders at risk of rotation.

    Unless things look really, really bad I think the best move for most people is hold and ride out the week

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      This is sensible but midweek games always create a madness

  10. L S P
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any more opinions are very welcome:

    Do I:

    A) Ramsey->Richarlison for -4
    B) Morata->Firmino/Lukaku for -4
    C) Both moves for -8

    Bench is Simpson (sou), Stephens (tot), Carroll (MCI)

    1. mentoz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would not do Richarlison for a hit, given he is rumoured to be benched.

      1. gwok
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        ? source

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not saying definitely hold, but I wouldn't do either of those moves

  11. Super Silva Haze
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    anyone captaining Salah ?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Hopefully Sadio Mane is captaining Salah. Then he might actually pass to him.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        It's been done to death but that was ridiculous. I'd drop Mané for match to teach him a lesson. He might yet be 'rested' as punishment.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Those who don’t own Kane

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I am

    4. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yip, Salah (c), Kane (vc)

    5. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Are we certain he wil start?

  12. mentoz
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    How do I get a picture in my profile? I feel that only those with a picture get a reply in here. 🙂

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Use FAQS at the bottom of the page

      1. mentoz
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you!

    2. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      People without pics are called the "gravless" because you need to sign up with Gravatar as per the website FAQs

  13. Zareos
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Which duo do you prefer?

    A. Sane and DCL, or
    B. Gross and Vardy

    Currently needing to decide how to accommodate Hazard in my team.

    1. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Rooney+Shaqiri as diff

  14. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    -8 this week.
    Rolling the dice and going balls out for a green arrow into the top 10k this week.
    Love these midweek games. Rotation, injuries, managers losing the plot... it's what Fantasy Football is all about.
    Bring it on!

  15. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    5 picks plus 2 on bench.

    Probably most I've had this season.

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Commiserations

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Never normally ends well, does it!

        1. Sánchez
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          My worst weeks are always when scouts pick my players

  16. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I'm not getting any answers on this, please help.

    Shall I take a -4 on this side?

    Mignolet (Elliot)

    Alonso Otamendi Christensen Jones (Mustafi)

    Salah Sterling Richarlison Gross Loftus-Cheek

    Kane (Morata) (Abraham)

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      If the 11 start it looks fine, and no one really knows the answer to whether they will.

      I might be tempted to get a striker.

    3. L S P
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      no, you're fine

  17. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DCL or Austin?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      If funds no issue Austin. Dcl a worthy pick though.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Austin

  18. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Fabianski Elliot
    Alonso Otamendi Naughton Femenia* Dunk
    Hazard Salah Zaha Richarlison King
    Kane Morata* Niasse

    2FT, 0.1 ITB

    - Not dropping Morata or Femenia due to short-term injuries/fatigue and great fixtures -

    A) Naughton to Robertson
    B) Niasse to ???
    C) Alonso to Christansen
    D) Some combination of the above

    1. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Lose kneeass, for sure. Try Crouch? Nice fixtures coming up and he's getting more game time

  19. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pick RLC or Dann?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Dann, more goal threat and chance of 4 CS points

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I know who Alan partridge would choose.

  20. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    It was DCL's sixth assist of the season, not fifth as written in the article.

  21. Mr. Sitter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Daniels + Moreno >

    A) Jones + Kenny
    B) Otamendi + Mariappa

    ?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      b

  22. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Richarlison to be benched?
    Where is this rumour coming from?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Silva said his minutes will be managed, but could mean playing only 60 mins or benched for some game during Christmas period.

  23. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Tarkowski Christensen Otamendi
    Hazard Richarlison Salah Sterling
    Kane DCL Morata
    (Perreira RLC Kenny Kiko)

    a) Bench Morata and play RLC/Kenny
    b) Transfer out Morata > Firmino/Vardy (free)

  24. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who to get in for Mee from next week zanka or kenny or masuaku?

    Burnley fixtures are turning & don't think they'll be keeping too many CS now

  25. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Start RLC (WAT) or Kenny (new)?

    1. FPL Puppy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would play the midfielder. Newcastle might score and Watford have big problems in their defence.

  26. JoroBG
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Daniels, Morata >

    1) Mariappa, Aguero
    2) Masuaku, Lukaku

  27. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Moreno to
    A) Jones
    B) Kenny + 1.0m

    Thanks!

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B) Don't think Jones' fitness can handle this tight schedule

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Gomez?

      I don't think Jones is an option in busy Xmas schedule.

  28. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Start Gomez? (Or RLC)

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'd go Gomez. Can't see them scoring

  29. jurgenklopp.8
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Alonso - Maguire - Mee
    hazard - richarlison - sterling - salah
    Kane (C) - Wilson - Firmino

    Elliot - Zeegelar - RLC - Daniels

    0 itb 2ft

    need to get rid of wilson, any ideas?

    1. FPL Puppy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson -> DCL. Cheap and playing, good player to have during the upcoming Christmas schedule.

      1. jurgenklopp.8
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        cheers, nice move, but over austin + kenny?

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      WIlson to DCL, and save the other one

  30. SilverSpurs
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who will score more in this gameweek alone?
    a) Smalling
    b) Calvert-Lewin

    I'm buying both but will use 1 FT today and the other before the next GW.

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Smalling likely if he plays

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed

      2. SilverSpurs
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks Fellas, that's what I thought, too