Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 25

This evening we roll out Gameweek 24 of this season’s Scout Picks, where Mark, Jonty, a different member of the community and I 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, with the budget now sitting at 84.0 apiece for our starting line-ups.

The Community – Managed by Reedy

gw25picks Costel Pantilimon’s looming frame fills the goal. The Sunderland stopper has earned save points for seven successive Gameweeks, so in the unlikely event that managerless QPR still find a route to goal without the injured Charlie Austin, he’s still likely to bring in the points. Patrick van Aanholt’s attacking forays from left-back have earned him three league assists this season, and they’ve all come against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Arch rivals Spurs may have ended Arsenal’s three-match run of clean sheets but a visit from bottom-of-the-league-Leicester could be just what they need to get right back on track. Laurent Koscielny has been a stand-out performer at the back and Hector Bellerin gives me a chance to double up on their rearguard at a bargain basement price.
My third Gunner of choice, Mesut Ozil, has been impressive of late, too, and deserves inclusion. As does Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, whose trickery and pace will trouble Everton. His team-mate Oscar has also earned a place in my midfield. I’m not expecting the Toffees to put up too much of a fight and I’m hoping that the Brazilian can take full advantage.

Sadio Mane is quite simply in scintillating form. With three goals in three appearances before leaving for ACoN, he wasted no time getting another on his return to the first XI last weekend. There may be competition for places in that Saints midfield but his has to be the first name on the teamsheet.

We all know the Daniel Sturridge dance, which is set to become a familiar sight again after his return from injury. His inclusion here is, admittedly, a bit of a risk, but I think Sturridge will earn a start against Spurs tonight. He’s the kind of player that can grab a haul even if only afforded a cameo role and could be a very handy differential. There is just no way I can leave Harry Kane out and with attacking returns in all three Sunderland appearances, Jermaine Defoe completes my frontline.

Jonty

gw25picks Arsenal dominate my picks as they entertain a lacklustre and, in terms of managerial news, seemingly chaotic Leicester. Over the last six Gameweeks, the North London side has scored 13 times, meanwhile Leicester have the third worst away record in terms of goals conceded. As this is written ahead of some team sheets being announced before the deadline I’m hedging my bets and hoping Alexis Sanchez starts or at least scores as a substitute. Mesut Ozil, with three goals in his last three, is also hard to overlook as is Olivier Giroud, who I hope will escape rotation.

Elsewhere in attack, I’ve opted for Jermain Defoe and his ruthlessness in front of goal against a dire QPR side on the road. With two goals in three matches he looks a shoo-in to score against a side that has the Premier League’s worst away defence, with 27 goals conceded. Harry Kane has a habit of scoring in tough matches recently, as Chelsea and Arsenal fans will know – he looks impossible to drop from my picks on current form.

For Chelsea cover, I’ve opted for Branislav Ivanovic, who has three goals already this season, and Eden Hazard, who offers strong goal and assist potential. My final midfield slot goes to Southampton’s Sadio Mane, who had the most goal attempts in the Premier League during Gameweek 24.

In defence, I struggle to see how a Charlie Austin-less QPR will score against Sunderland, which propels Patrick van Aanholt into my thinking. Aston Villa’s struggles in front of goal hands Hull’s Alan McGregor a place between the posts. Finally, I see West Ham struggle to break down a resolute Southampton, which gives Nathaniel Clyne, who earned two bonus points in Gameweek 24, a defensive role.

Mark

gw25picks My picks are built around two fixtures, with Sunderland’s clash with QPR and Arsenal’s Emirates meeting with Leicester looking as close as you’re going to get for home-bankers.

I’ve recruited six players from those two matches in anticipation of wins, goals and points, with Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud backed to tear into the Foxes rearguard, while I’ve opted for Per Mertesacker in the Gunners defence, purely because he appears to be the most secure option.

For Sunderland, I’ve doubled in defence with Costel Pantilimon and Patrick van Aanholt coming up against a limited QPR attack without the threat of Charlie Austin. Jermain Defoe will doubtless be in many squads going into the Gameweek and he makes my Picks off the back of returns in each of his three appearances so far.

Elsewhere, I’ve tied up City with Sergio Aguero and Chelsea with Eden Hazard. I’ve not compromised here: Aguero’s dry run has got to end at some point and with City desperately hunting three points, I anticipate it will be at the Britannia. Hazard’s a shoo-in for the Stamford Bridge meeting with Everton –particularly with Diego Costa out of the frame and uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s other midfield starters.

Sadio Mane’s selection needs no justification – his run of four goals in his last four starts explains that. Marouane Fellaini certainly does require some qualifying, however: I point to Van Gaal’s post-match comments following the Belgian’s contribution at West Ham, here. For me, Fellaini starts against Burnley and he may even be thrust up in attack. He’s my towering differential.

The final spot in my back three goes to Joleon Lescott – a bit of a gamble given the recent rotation in Tony Pulis’ rearguard, plus I’m not totally convinced that the Baggies have bought into their manager’s ethos just yet. This is a tentative clean sheet, then, but I still feel that the Swans lack penetration and a goal threat and that’s enough for me to back a West Brom shut-out.

Paul

gw25picks I’m worried that Arsene Wenger might rotate in defence this evening, so have played it safe by selecting David Ospina for Arsenal’s clash with Leicester. Branislav Ivanovic has attacking returns in four of his last five and faces an Everton side with one goal in their last three. I’ve opted for Patrick van Aanholt over Costel Pantilimon as Sunderland cover at home to QPR, with the Dutchman producing a double-figure return in his last home match. Having chalked up the same number of clean sheets as Chelsea, Southampton look a strong shout at home to injury-hit West Ham and Jose Fonte’s threat in the box has been unlucky not to bring home any goals so far.

In midfield, I’m willing to back my gut feeling that Alexis Sanchez will start this evening as Arsene Wenger looks to immediately bounce back from the North London derby defeat at Spurs. Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane complete my four, with the latter looking excellent value at just 6.5. I’d initially gone for Raheem Sterling but with reports suggesting he could be sidelined tonight, I’ll turn to his in-form team-mate instead. Coutinho – who has produced returns in each of his last four home matches – is expected to recover from a knock and hosts a Spurs defence with a single clean sheet in their last ten road trips.

Up top, Olivier Giroud’s five goals and two assists in seven appearances highlights his improved form since recovering from injury. Jermain Defoe looks vital to Sunderland’s chances of breaching a QPR backline that’s conceded at least twice in each of their last five away fixtures, whilst Harry Kane has shown repeatedly that he has the form to trump any fixture as Spurs face a Liverpool backline that’s racked up four straight shut-outs.

The Scores So Far

With a strong showing in a defence that included Swansea’s Kyle Naughton, I gained a Gameweek 24 Scout Picks score of 55, leaving Jonty’s score of 46, Mark’s tally of 43 and The Community’s 41 in the shade. In the overall standings, Mark continues to lead with a score of 1260, following by myself on 1242, Jonty with 1239 and the Community on 1151.

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1,507 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gooner97
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Guys, I don't own Pantillimon.

    1. SW6
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      😯

    2. chrisjdgrady
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Me neither

      1. Gooner97
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😛

    3. Ser Football 42
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Forster for me

      1. Gooner97
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Krul here

    4. Captain Shirokov
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No you don't

    5. Red Star Toro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I do, should I captain him? 😎

      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Transfer him out and then back in for -4 first to make it fair on everyone else!

    6. Doolittle
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I've started to feel like the only Foster owner - I'm sure there were loads on here a couple of weeks ago!

      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Had him for SOOOOOOOOO long and kept on WC because of Pulis... wish I just went with pants early in the season over Foster

      2. NapalmDeath (Northern Chaos…
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Still here! Playing him over Krul this week.

      3. Galfadez
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Yep Myhill/Foster still my goalkeeper rotation here

        1. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Should I play DDG over him ? 😀

          1. Galfadez
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Nope 😀

  2. AleksanderVN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Will dead line and kick-off be delayed tonight, if FPL break down at 19:31?

    1. Mr. Grv
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yes i think the queen plays fpl

  3. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Pantilimon
    Jones • Bellerin • PVA
    Hazard • Cazorla • ADM • Sterling*
    Aguero • Giroud • Kane

    Krul • Boyd • Baird • Bertrand*
    1FT, 3.2 ITB

    This is a bit complicated, but assuming Sterling is out, and assuming Sanchez and Cazorla both start, should I do:

    1) Cazorla to Sanchez(c) as planned, play Boyd or Baird

    2) Sterling to, say, Mane

    3) Bertrand to Clyne, play 4 at the back

    4) Bertrand to Azpi, play 4 at the back (leaves me with 3 players out in GW27, which means I can have 5 DGWers with no hit in GW28. Assuming Leicester lose to Villa and Che-Lei is rearranged in GW28. I said it was complicated...)

    1. FRANtastic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      2)

  4. The Abyss
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    What happened to that Applebonkers fella?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      his head fell off

      1. The Abyss
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Now that is bonkers.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          really

  5. FRANtastic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Sam has done to LVG what Fergie did to Benitez.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      pls elaborate

    2. The Gambler.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      except benitez was challenging for the title.

      LVG is challenging Big Sam for 4th

  6. conan_hn
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    [Repost - bottom of last page]

    Please help guys

    1FT:
    a. Chadli >>> Mane
    b. Berahino >>> Giroud / Defoe
    c. Both
    d. Save

    My front 8:
    Caz - Hazard - ADM - Downing - Chadli
    Aguero - Kane - Berahino

    Thanks

  7. Jaffalicious! #SomosCubanos
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon all,

    Anyone contemplating captaining a non-Arsenal player this week?

    I've seen a few floating around, could be interesting.

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hazard will probably deliver. Still going Sanchez tho

    2. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Sturridge

    3. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Me but its secret 😉

    4. A.T
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I'm tempted to do Defoe

      1. Sheep
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😯

        1. A.T
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          A week ago I was saying don't buy him ffs 😀

      2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        This

      3. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Me too.

    5. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Kun

    6. Dr Dream
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      With Stoke having very little in the way of defence....it could be Kun...

  8. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Defo worth keeping Hutton now? great fixtures it seems.....

    Just as I want/need to sell Cameron for a decent fixtures, looks like he might get a run of games 😕 bet I keep vs City this week and then when I need him (and fixtures turn great) he'll get benched again.....

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, keep Hutton. Not sure abt Cameron though 😉

  9. Captain Shirokov
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    😎

    1. Gooner97
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      :mrgreen:

      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😈

        1. Gooner97
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Pearson?

          1. Captain Shirokov
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            👿

            1. Gooner97
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 8 months ago

              😮

  10. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Captain:

    Sanchez or Giroud....??

    1. Gooner97
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez if he starts

  11. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Would you play Fonte(WHM) or Colo(cpl)?

    1. chrisjdgrady
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Home team

    2. A.T
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Fonte

    3. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks humans

  12. Doolittle
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I just had a terrible thought of my tube being held underground on the way home from work, around half 6...

    My FPL success is in the hands of Transport for London.

    1. chrisjdgrady
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      lol

    2. Red Star Toro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I already told guys in my work I'm not available from 6:30 till 7 😎

    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I also am on the move. Got a Macbook with a dongle.

      1. Bojaninho
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Satellite dish sticking out of his back pack

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          😆

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        You should see my dongle.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          I think the technical term is "schlong". 😉

        2. Bojaninho
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Come again? 😀

        3. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          reported

          1. Bojaninho
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Arrested

    4. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      🙁

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Use the wifi.

  13. how now brown cow
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So just in case I can't get the kids to bed in time to check lineups, does this look ok to save ft?

    Pants
    Clyne Terry Pva
    Caz Sanchez (c) Hazard Silva
    Kane Giroud (vc) Aguero

    subs Krul Wisdom Naughton Boyd

    Thanks

  14. chrisjdgrady
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Play Boyd or Gardos for Sterling this week?

    1. Gooner97
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Will Gardos start?

      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Dunno. Got lucky starting him over the weekend and got 7 points out of it since he came on early 😉

  15. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Could Chelsea still have a DGW in 28?

    If so when might we find out?

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      After the AVL-LEI game I guess.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Depends if leicester get through in the cup. So after the weekend maybe.

  16. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anyne considering Defoe (c) this evening ? I have Walcott and not Sanchez or Giroud, for example...

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      do you have hazard and kun?
      sounds like a big risk...

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Have both, yeah.

  17. Boss Hogg
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Which transfer do I make:

    a. Clichy to Naughton
    b. Jones to Naughton
    c. Puncheon to Mane
    d. Another transfer
    e. Nothing – lose it (got 2 FTs)

    Foster / Ospina
    Terry / P JONES / PVA / Clyne / CLICHY
    Moses / Hazard / ADM / Sanchez / PUNCHEON
    Kane / Aguero / Giroud
    (0.7m, and 2 FTs)

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      c

  18. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one please:

    Pelle (WHM)
    AJ (QPR)
    Silva (stk)

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Bench AJ, but Silva 2 or 3-pointer is imminent.

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Puncheon or Mane over the next 4-5 weeks?

  19. jurgenizer | TRIPEIROS
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling out official?

    1. The Gambler.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      no, speculation

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Not official but according to SKY.

    3. Red Star Toro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nope but you'll know before the deadline

    4. Ser Football 42
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Just reports

    5. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      TEAM NEWS: Raheem Sterling is OUT of Liverpool's game with Spurs tonight due to a knock.
      https://mobile.twitter.com/BenSmithBBC/status/565121039664173056?p=v

    6. Frazek
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      On the Beeb... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31106342

  20. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Repost.
    It comes down to a forced it.
    Debuchy to:

    O'Shea,
    Bellerin,
    Wolls or
    Colloc?

    Was also thinking Dawson, but thats a little risky.
    I have GW 27 in mind too thanks to Jonty.
    I will wait for line ups on the teams that I can.

  21. Not Irish
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Worst part about the pamphletgate is the fact that LvG is right.

    1. The Gambler.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      well he's hardly gonna print half a tree out to show he's wrong!

      1. Not Irish
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Right but what's the fecking point. He's so self absorbed it's sickening.

        1. The Gambler.
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          he's cracking, thats all.

  22. Takedog1
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    fill in the blanks

    Forster

    Ivanovic _____ _____

    Clyne pva zouma naughton

    1. Gooner97
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Clyne PVA

      1. Takedog1
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        U not think it's worth putting zouma in incase he starts?

    2. Nico.
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Zouma Clyne (PvA Naughton)

      1. Takedog1
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Clyne defo? I have Forster in goals

        1. Nico.
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Yup

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    What happened between Big Sam and LVG?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nothing of note. LVG isnt as good as Moyes.

    2. Gooner97
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Buffet

    3. The Gambler.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Big Sam trolled LVG and LVG cracked. funny moment. nothing more to see.

    4. SW6
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Sam trolled, LvG bit, hard.

  24. Egg Chaser
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    No Utd in the scout picks with Burnley (H) - sign of the times

    1. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Love Mark's Fellaini pick

  25. Absinthe Minded
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Would you chance playing Colback over Silva.....

  26. nibby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Pick 4 teams who would keep CS this week. Personally,i think

    Chelsea / Arsenal / Sunderland / Saints

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hull too.

    2. Red Star Toro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Arsenal, Sunderland, Saints, United

    3. Whazza
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I'd say Chelsea/Arsenal/Sunderland/Hull

      1. Whazza
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        CASH 😀

  27. viewoftheland
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Which three to play in defence?

    Terry (EVE)
    PVA (QPR)
    Bellerin (LEI)
    Jones (BUR)
    Naughton (wba)

    Or play 4, and drop Puncheon (NEW)? Already playing Panti in goal.

    Cheers

    1. JaydenLFC87
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Easy first 3

      1. viewoftheland
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for your thoughts. I'm considering spreading the risk and benching PVA, but its tricky.

  28. LewanGOALski
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    If Sterling out:

    A. him to Mane and keep Downing
    B. Downing to Mane and play Wisdom (keeping Sterling)

    ??

    1. 1zverGGademN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A, I am having to hit as I am so concerned over Wisdom.

    3. Ser Football 42
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B

  29. Azathoth
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Alexis is fit and if yes good cpt option or Wegner will not start him?

    1. Ronny Hotdog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Get team news before deadline.

  30. Ronny Hotdog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So if Wally or Sanchez is benched this evening, sideways to a playing ARS mid is tempting me.