Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 17

With Sergio Aguero injured and Wayne Rooney still very much a doubt for United’s home game against West Ham, our targets have been somewhat altered over the last few days. Liverpool and City supply the Scout Picks XI with a couple of players apiece as we once more opt against the default 3-4-3 and roll out a four-man backline instead:

Julian Speroni takes his spot between the sticks as Palace prepare for the visit of Newcastle. Tony Pulis’ side have registered a shut-out in each of the last three home games and with Loic Remy toiling up top for the Magpies, another clean sheet could be on the cards at Selhurst Park tomorrow afternoon.

We draft in Patrice Evra for United’s home game with West Ham. Granted, the Frenchman is the priciest option at the back amongst David Moyes’ charges but he’s more than justified that so far and has accrued at least double the number of points than any defensive team-mate. Evra’s eye for goal came to the fore in the midweek cup win over Stoke and with the Hammers scoring just five times on their travels so far, United have a chance of registering a fourth successive shut-out in all competitions.

Jon Flanagan is called upon for Liverpool’s home clash with Cardiff. A move to 4-3-3, with Joe Allen and Lucas stationed in front of the back-four, served up a second clean sheet in the last 13 Gameweeks away to Spurs last Sunday and suggests Brendan Rodgers may have finally struck upon a better balance at both ends of the pitch. The Bluebirds have failed to score in four away games now, whilst Flanagan’s strike at the Lane last week highlights his value at 4.5.

Phil Bardsley gets the nod for Sunderland’s home clash against Norwich. Gus Poyet’s side have picked up in resilience at the back in recent weeks and registered three clean sheets in the last six league games – Bardsley has found the net twice over that run and offers the best chance of points at both ends of the pitch against a Canaries side with five goals on their travels all season.

A home clash with Hull brings Gareth McAuley into our thoughts. West Brom will be looking for a response after Steve Clarke’s dismissal last weekend and, with a couple of goals to his name already, the centre-half is a clear threat in the opposition area. Having struck just twice in their last four road trips, the Tigers’ lack of bite bodes well for a home clean sheet.

Handed his first start since Gameweek 4 last weekend, Theo Walcott’s brace at the Emirates served a reminder of his Fantasy potential. With Olivier Giroud failing to fire up front, Arsene Wenger can ill-afford to do without his wide man as Chelsea arrive at the Emirates on Monday evening – the Blues have lost three of their last four on the road in all competitions and have a single clean sheet in the last 11 Gameweeks.

We turn to the playmaking talents of David Silva as City make their way to Fulham. The fit-again Spaniard has stepped up in consistency under Manuel Pellegrini and has produced a goal or assist in six of his eight league appearances – Rene Meulensteen’s side have a single clean sheet in seven and look unlikely to improve upon that record tomorrow afternoon.

Eden Hazard also gets the nod for Monday night’s match. Arsenal are without Laurent Koscielny for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s men and the Belgian’s away form could prove crucial – two sets of double figures in his last three appearances on the road suggest that if the Blues are to grab the victory that would see them climb above their hosts, he’ll have a part to play.

Runaway leader of the most emphatic Captain Poll in memory, Luis Suarez will be hoping to wreak havoc on Cardiff in tomorrow’s lunchtime encounter. Seven sets of double figures in 11 league appearances, 72 points in his last four at Anfield, an overall season average of 12.3 points per game – the statistics are simply staggering. Few will go into this weekend without their armband hopes resting firmly on the Uruguayan.

A goal or assist in nine of his 12 appearances for Everton sums up the Fantasy consistency of Romelu Lukaku. Roberto Martinez takes his side to former club Swansea this weekend and having beaten United and drawn with Arsenal in their last two road trips, confidence could barely be higher – with Michael Vorm injured and Angel Rangel suspended, the Toffees will be looking to the big Belgian to wreak havoc against the hosts’ weakened backline.

With Sergio Aguero stuck in City’s treatment room nursing a calf injury, Alvaro Negredo comes into consideration for the trip to Fulham. There’s no denying his away displays have been poor but the Spaniard’s form is strong – three goals and an assist in his last four appearances suggest he represents a more than viable route into the most potent attack in the Premier League.

Marc Wilson gets a rare Scout Picks outing as Stoke welcome Villa to the Britannia. The Potters have three clean sheets in the last five and, with Paul Lambert’s side failing to score in three of their previous four, the hosts will fancy their chances of another shout-out.

Jordan Henderson makes the bench for Liverpool’s home game with Cardiff. A move to the advanced central midfield role behind Suarez harvested a goal, assist and couple of bonus points at Spurs last week – at 5.9, he looks a real budget friendly, mid-price option against the Bluebirds.

A goal in each of his last three league matches sums up Marouane Chamakh’s current form ahead of Palace’s clash with Newcastle. With plenty of crosses expected from out wide, the Moroccan has the chance to continue his impressive turnaround against a Magpies backline with a single clean sheet in five league matches.

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1,218 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bitterandstout
      10 years, 3 months ago

      would I be made to take a hit?

      whittingham -> walcott

      while my only playing keeper is Marshall ?

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      1. PGR
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I'll stick with Whitts
        And Marshall might give save points so stick with him as well

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    • PGR
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Paulinho to Walcott/Silva for a hit this week or just play Ravel? Take the hit, right?
      Other thing is that if Rooney also doesn't play I'll have 1 point Rosenoir coming on.

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      1. bitterandstout
          10 years, 3 months ago

          do it.

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        • The Mighty One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Take a hit for the ability to face Chelsea? No. Wait to do it for free.

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      2. NLB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        A. Kasami to Henderson
        or
        B. Remy to Negredo

        cheers guys

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        1. Kaja
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          I did A) and im very pleased.

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      3. The Machine
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Bardsley, Brown, Evans or Jones till the Jan WC?

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        1. Chris_White
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Jones

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        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          You got Ward?

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          1. The Machine
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Newcastle will score

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        3. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Bardsley or JEvans IMO

          Jones is card/injury magnet

          Brown is superb and will get BAPs but again, injury prone

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          1. The Machine
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            The more i think about it, the more i feel convinced Evans will be rested in one of the next 3

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            1. JK - Cønt ⭐
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              go with your gut

              Even if he is, it's about making sure you have decent cover. For me, he's an absolute steal at 5.0 (though I remember him being 4.5 a couple of seasons ago, I was on that so fast)

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        4. HVT
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Jones , I've been putting him about now for a few days ,
          Tho I did mention Bentekje earlier and nearly got eaten !

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            I'd rather have Rafa over Evans over Jones

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            1. HVT
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Not nailed / injury prone - or are you still telling jokes ?

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              1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                Rafa and Evans are both pretty nailed. Rafa is a little injury prone, but so is Jones.

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                1. HVT
                  • 13 Years
                  10 years, 3 months ago

                  Smalling ?

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                  1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    10 years, 3 months ago

                    sheet

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      4. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Best non-arsenal defender for 5.2m to complement this defence?

        Mignolet / Lewis
        Distin / Clyne / Burner / Wilson / xx

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        1. PGR
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Evans?

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        2. Kreedas
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Williams(Swa) ?

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      5. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Apologies in advance

        What did Santa say to missus when he looked out of the window?

        Looks like rain dear

        What do you get if you swallow Christmas decorations?

        Tinselitis

        *goes and lies down in a darkened room*

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        1. Chris_White
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          😯

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        2. HVT
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          I'll call a cab ...
          🙁

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        3. bitterandstout
            10 years, 3 months ago

            As he lies down in the darkened room, the men come and take the whisky bottle from his hands.

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        4. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Further you have gone in the FPL Cup?

          3rd or 4th round for me.

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          1. Parm
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Got quite far last season, must've been Round 8 or 9.

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          2. JT's Dog
              10 years, 3 months ago

              I haven't

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            • stilicho
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              2nd round, and only once!

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            • RedLightning
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              4th round in 2010-11. One year I lost to a dead team with four Chelsea players. Three of them were defenders and they kept a rare clean sheet that game-week..

              In my first season my Red Lightning team lost to Thunderstruck United. I don't know whether my opponent changed his team name after discovering who he was playing against, or whether FPL deliberately paired us together!

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          3. Kreedas
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Shameless repost lost on the bottom of page 10

            Please RMT I'd appreciate your input need to climb the mini league ladder and am just touching 1000 points

            Current team:

            Howard
            Mertesacker / Coleman / Lovren
            Hazard / Silva / Ramsey / Januzaj
            Suarez (c) / Rooney / Negredo (v)

            Subs: Davis, Williams / Chester / Lucas

            Am I good to go? Rating out of ?/10 ?

            Thanks in advance!

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          4. Hybrid.power
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Thoughts on Welbeck as a punt?

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            1. HVT
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              In a word " NO " step away from the keyboard.

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              1. Kreedas
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                +1

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            2. PGR
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Although I laughed at the suggestion last weekend, it might well be a good short term punt now that Rooney's a doubt

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              1. Kreedas
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                There's no doubt about rooney, typical Moyes resting without explainations

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            3. The Machine
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              0 consistency

              Stay away

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              1. The Mighty One
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                I might do it too. Tough one though....these replies are right.

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          5. Mr.B
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Good to go?
            Used FT to do Aguero to Rooney and have 2.9m in bank.

            McGregor
            Coleman l Clyne l Gabbi
            Ramsey l Sess l Hazard l Fer
            Rooney(VC) l Suarez(C) l Lukaku
            SUBS: Cech l Williams l Dawson l RavMor

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          6. JWF
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            There's a new post btw.

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

            Rooney AND aguero both injured, ideas please? Negredo?

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          8. The Hound
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            This week everyone is gonna (c) Suarez. Boxing day however could be fun with Suarez at city. I'm thinking of Walcott or a boxing day berba special!

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          9. New Post
          10. cill500
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            well lads,
            who would ye pick?
            evra mirallas negredo OR...
            shawcross hazard remy
            give me some feedback please peeps
            plus i must take -4 for these transfers

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            1. Tactical Nous
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              i would go with the first three. negredo will get plenty of supply, evra's fixtures are nice. i'd go with it for a 4pt hit

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              1. cill500
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                thanks mate

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                1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 3 months ago

                  Shawcross might not.play. Problem solved.

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          11. Lucinda Williams
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Which one to drop of Ramsey, Sessegnon, Januzaj, Mirallas, and Hazard?

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            1. Gooner Kebab
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Sess?

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          12. Gooner Kebab
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Sess to Wally for a hit?
            Please convince me it's not a week early!

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            1. Tactical Nous
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              it's not, bite the bullet!

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          13. Alaric
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Pay Bannan (new - h) or Chester (wba - a)

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          14. Tactical Nous
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Mignolet / (Myhill)
            Collins / Coleman / Clyne / (Zabaleta) / (B. Turner)
            Ramsey / Silva / Hazard / Morrison / (Thomas)
            Suarez / Lukaku / Rooney

            No FTs remaining, what should I do? I could do Rooney + Zab > Negredo + Evra for 8 point hit or just Zab > G. Johnson for 4 point hit. More tempted by the latter. Any other obvious moves I've missed? Surely at least 1 transfer is needed?

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          15. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Gabidon or Banan first sub?

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            1. jbasma
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Gabbidon could easily get a clean sheet this round. I can't see Banan raking up anything

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          16. jbasma
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            I'm gambling on Dzeko to start for Man City. Any thoughts?

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            1. thegame
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              your only going to get persuasion from me. Im looking for a reason to do it for a hit. ive got delafou as my third choice striker mind

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          17. SaveWalterWhite
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Should I play Luke Shaw or Turner (Norwich)?

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          18. Kane Toads
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Terry to Evra for a - 4 hit? Any thoughts or alternatives?

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          19. Pawtucket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Well need to take a punt this week but need some thoughts >>

            Debating between Barry, or De Guzman

            I already have Lukaku, and colman.

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          20. t4thomas
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Rooney please come back and play.

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          21. Can’t beat em so&hell…
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Already thinking to next week.... Which of the front 8 gets a breather on the bench?

            Ramsey - hull
            Wally - hull
            hazard - SWA
            Januzaj - hull
            Barkley - SUN
            Rooney - hull
            Suarez - man c
            Lukaku - SUN

            I'm currently thinking Ramsey? Would that be mental?

            Hazard for (c)?

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