Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 4

It’s time for Gameweek 4 of this season’s Scout Picks, where every Friday, myself, Mark, Jonty and a different member of the Community pick an XI for the upcoming round of fixtures. Each week, our line-ups go head-to-head and over the course of the season we’ll be keeping a tally of the points as we go along.

Similar to the last two Gameweeks, we’ve kept the budgets at 83.5m apiece for our starting line-ups.

The Community – Managed by Arvination

“midshots With Leicester at home, Stoke’s Asmir Begovic looks well placed for a clean sheet as does Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno against Villa. The attack-minded Nathaniel Clyne and Branislav Ivanovic offer returns at both ends of the pitch.

Fixtures conspire to make Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling automatic picks for me. Wilfried Zaha is in my selection after a fantastic performance in Gameweek 3 – he also has the potential as an out of position prospect when Crystal Palace entertain Burnley. Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria will be keen to impress on his home debut and could be set to prosper, especially if Luis Van Gaal opts for a 4-3-3 formation.

In attack Diego Costa started and scored a brace the last time he had an injury scare – I dare not leave him out even if he is still a doubt. Steven Naismith is the cheap forward that just keeps on giving, with three goals in as many appearances, and I expect him to continue his form against West Brom. With Daniel Sturridge doubtful, Mario Balotelli will be the main forward for Liverpool – he was unlucky not to score against Tottenham and I’m sure he’ll repay my faith.

Jonty

“midshots Stoke, Liverpool, Chelsea and Southampton all look primed for clean sheets this week. Asmir Begovic gives me a reliable route into the Stoke backline, while Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Branislav Ivanovic offer the dual prospect of attacking returns as well.

Eden Hazard looks to be the Chelsea midfielder of choice at home, with 10 goals of his 14 goals last season coming at Stamford Bridge. Raheem Sterling’s form is sensational but I’m looking for something different this week. He’ll be in all my rivals’ teams so I’m taking a gamble on old-stager and Liverpool penalty taker Steven Gerrard. Elsewhere my midfield is dominated by differentials, with Chadli and Kevin Mirallas’ underlying attacking statistics impressing me enough to include them.

I’m not falling for the old Diego Costa is injured ruse again. A doubt or not Chelsea’s in form frontman is in my team. Mario Balotelli looks certain to start in Daniel Sturridge’s absence and was another top attacking performer in Gameweek 3. Finally, another with impressive underlying statistics is Southampton frontman Graziano Pelle. He could be another vital differential as I look to haul myself from the foot of the Scout Picks.

Mark

“midshots The selection was pretty straightforward this week. Despite the stuttering start to the season, I really can’t see QPR spoiling the party for United at Old Trafford and I’m predicting a comfortable afternoon for Louis van Gaal – resulting in David De Gea and Wayne Rooney finding their way into my lineup.

With Diego Costa a shoo-in right now, the only real decision I had to make was to whether to back Mario Balotelli or look to Raheem Sterling to cover the Liverpool attack at home to Villa: I opted for the latter. The third striker spot goes to Southampton’s Graziano Pelle, then; he got off the mark at West Ham last time out and I reckon he’ll deliver again when the Magpies pay visit.

The midfield was interesting. Again, it was a close run thing between Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas and I’ve gone for the value offered by the Spaniard although I do expect Hazard to be a key factor in the top of the table clash with Swansea.

Elsewhere, I’m backing Wilfried Zaha to start and prove a match winner for Palace against Burnley and I just fancy Kevin Mirallas to come good for Everton at West Brom. The Toffees are shipping goals so I expect Roberto Martinez’ side to need a couple to get anything from their trip to the Hawthorns. If that’s the case, I can see Mirallas in the points.

Paul

“midshots I’ve loaded up on Chelsea for the home encounter with Swansea – all three of their in-form players, Branislav Ivanovic, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa – are drafted in. Three Liverpool options also get the nod. Javier Manquillo seems set to benefit from injuries to Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan at right-back, while I’ve also gone for Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli, with the latter looking key in the absence of Daniel Sturridge. Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Balotelli has been suffering from illness this week but will be fit for Saturday.

Elsewhere at the back, Marc Wilson (4.5) gives me a budget route into Stoke’s defence for the visit of Leicester, while Fraser Foster comes in for the Saints’ clash with Newcastle. I’m willing to roll the dice on Angel di Maria – with doubts over the United forward roles, he looks a safe option at home to QPR. For my final two selections, I’ve turned to the stats – Nacer Chadli’s five shots in the box is second for midfielders so far, while Graziano Pelle has produced eight attempts from close-range – second only to Costa.

The Scores So Far

It was a Gameweek 3 to forget for all of us after Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic and Wayne Rooney all blanked. Four points separated all four teams – I scraped a win with just 41 points, while Mark and Jonty, with 40 and 39 points respectively, pipped The Community – as managed by Innsie – into fourth with 37 points.

This means that after three rounds of fixtures, I have 154 points, The Community has 145, Mark has 137 and Jonty has 136.

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2,836 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on my final WC team please guys.

    Krul Mannone
    Clyne Rojo Lovren Pieters Wisdom
    Hazard Sterling Siggy Di Maria 4.5
    Rooney Adebayor Pelle

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Manchester United are rubbish and don't warrant anyone picking 3 of their players.

      1. the axolotl
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        was afraid you'd gone mouldy

      2. RUUD!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        im a man u fan though so I have faith

  2. Zombie
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    My gut telling me Dzeko better than Aguero FPL-wise this GW

    1. Tiote on Peyote
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Always go with your gut man, never logic. Recipe for FPL success.

    2. Keep calm and hoof me the b…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm worried you're right. I'd like to get Costa in this week but it would have to be for Dzeko (or Rooney)

  3. Fin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Getting Falcao next GW so i have 12.6 to spend on a one week punt on a forward.. RVP, Rooney or Balo?

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      RVP

  4. Wej
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Captaining Rooney based on the logic that SURELY United can't carry on being awful forever?

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      that is not called logic

      1. Wej
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        logic -> misguided belief

    2. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't you like to see one good performance first?

    3. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      It's the safest captain option this week which is why I'm going for him.

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

        This - you know with absolute certainty that Rooney will start. Plus with Herrara fit, Blind signed there's a much lower chance that he'll end up in midfield.

  5. Olivier Bernards watch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Shall I pull trigger on mata out for sterling? Anyone think mata will start?

    1. Tiote on Peyote
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Impossible to tell. I see no reason not to do that as long as its not for a hit.

    2. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No. Yes.
      Could go horribly wrong if Sterling doesn't start as rumoured.

    3. ireland123
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say get rid of Mata.. i have 😛

    4. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, a good chance, think LvG will do what he can to find a way to get maximum out of his squad

    5. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mata and Sterling similar chance of starting.

    6. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      See, this kind of decision, which could prove to have major consequences for my season, shows how much this game relies on luck.

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard captain!

    1. Tiote on Peyote
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      2 shots in 3 games. No whinging tomorrow evening.

  7. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Chambers > Wilson or a different 4.5?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm going Wilson

  8. istanbul05
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Caulker, PvA or Wisdom to start this GW?!

    Thanks

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      PvA

    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sweet

    2. Sunny 😎
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nice

  9. Darth
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is Ivanovic C a little too crazy?

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Only marginally

    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No, due a goal.

    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Its not crazy. I've considered it but a little uncomfortable with the idea as Swansea's form has been good so far.

    4. mitro
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      might be amazing

  10. ireland123
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Rate/Help please,
    WC Played.

    Bego/McCarthy
    Lovren/Clyne/Kaboul/(Two 3.9s)
    Fab/DiMaria/Sterling/Siggy/Zaha/
    Costa/Naismith/Falcao

    ?

    1. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Naismith with your weak defence will lead to problem soon

      1. ireland123
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        What does that mean? Get rid of Naismith or upgrade defense or what?

        1. Winter_is_coming
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          About Naismith - you will want Aguero or another premium forward soon, upgrade Naismith will be very hard
          About defence - two 3.9 defenders on activated wildcard is very bad idea

  11. Winter_is_coming
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Rate my finally wild card team, please:

    Begovic (Myhill)

    Clyne - Naylor - VanAnholt - Lovren - Coloccini

    Sterling - Fabregas - Siggy - Tadic - Boyd

    Costa - Balo (c) - Rooney

    1. Sunny 😎
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Good to go

  12. SG1
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Rate my WC team...

    Krul - (McCarthy)

    Clyne - Ivanovic - Lovren - (Naylor - Moore)

    Sterling (c) - Fabregas - Di Maria - Zaha - (Siggy)

    Costa - Rooney - Naismith

    1. thorvaldsson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What are you going to do about zaha sigs and naismith this weekend?

      1. SG1
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Play Zaha & Naismith. Siggy on bench.

  13. danssainz
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone know where I can actual points for players in a similar format to the projections? I.e. points for GW 1, 2, 3
    Thanks

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Rabmac has a spreadsheet that is quite useful for that. Don't have a link but his profile should.

  14. Matt Sk
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Finally they changed Sigs picture on fpl 😀

    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Shame, he had a good one.

    2. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      but that picture before was so good! 🙁

    3. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      You were stalking Siggy on FPL :O ?

      1. Matt Sk
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I check the profiles from time to time

  15. LetsDoWellWBFC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Long Dzeko and ?

    1. Declan
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      gives up FPL.

    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Austin.

    3. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Crouch?

  16. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who you guys got the captain on?

    1. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wayne

    2. Bojaninho
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Super Mario

  17. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Whome to captain....??

    Begovic.
    Clichy. Evans. Lovren.
    Ramsey. Fabregas. Mata. Henderson.
    Costa. Rooney. Naismith.

    Confused....

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I missed you.

      1. FPL FREAK
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I missed u too... 🙂

    2. mdm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Costa

  18. SAINTS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Sky Sports question -

    If I change my captain now and put it on Costa, can I then change it to Falcao on Sunday?

    I then plan to transfer him out for Jelavic. Will this all be possible?

    1. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, as long as you to change to Costa tonight, rather than in the morning

  19. mitro
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Begovic
    Ivanovic PvA Clyne
    Ramsey Sterling(c) Sigurdsson Fábregas
    Rooney Pellè Costa

    1. NASL Shootout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This is like my team but better.

    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Kthx.

      1. mitro
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        bread

    3. Siegfried Sassoon
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      How intriguing. Pray, tell us more.

  20. setemadi
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts?

    Balotelli, Van Persie (C), Diego Costa
    ADM, Sterling (VC), Chadli, JWP
    Chester, Shaw, Tripper
    Forster

    Bench: McCarthy, Duff, Moore, Boyd

  21. Dr Dream
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Going with Captain Zaha....just because he sounds like somebody of an episode of Captain Scarlet...Good enough reason for me !!

    1. Dr Dream
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      *This post was brought to you by Supermarionation

    2. S.Kuqi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Really hope it pays off!

  22. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    #3 overall in UFPL looks like a dead team 😀 🙁

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

    Just when my giddiness over Di Maria and Falcao had subsided my boss tells me as I'm leaving today that I can have a half day on Sunday and go to Old Trafford after all.

    Cue the giddiness returning 😀

    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      how you going to get tickets so quickly?

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

        I have a Season Ticket

  24. Super-Hans
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Do we think Rafael will start this gw? Any news on him?

  25. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is di Maria now a good fpl option? Not ,any guys are going for him?

  26. Jönny
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    The really annoying thing is that if McCarthy DID get the starting spot for QPR, he would cover off Forster's 3 worst fixtures between now and GW13... I may have to risk it...

    1. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's only 4m so it's no big deal if he doesn't start. Tough fixtures aren't actually bad for goalies anyway because they can get 2/3 save points.

  27. ralfb
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    King or Boyd?
    Moreno or Evans or Blackett?
    Costa, will he start?

  28. Skor Hattricksson
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Someone please talk me out of Di Maria (C).

    1. Pav A Nice Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Don't do it. He's playing centre mid

    2. A.T
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If he's not a cap choice then why buy him?

      1. Skor Hattricksson
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        That was my first thought. I went from "possible captain" to "sell for Tadic? in a heartbeat.

  29. Pav A Nice Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Literally have no idea what to do with my 2 FTs, I guess I need to get Ramsey out but for who? Thoughts on changes?

    Krul - Gilks

    Terry, Kaboul, Coloccini, Wisdom, Hutton

    Hazard, Sterling, Ramsey, Siggy, Marney

    Costa, Rooney, Dzeko

    1. The Orienteer - find me in …
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Looks ok - I'd stick.

      1. Pav A Nice Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        But I have 2 FTs so i may as well make 1