[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
14 August 2015 3306 comments
Paul Paul
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With just under three hours remaining until Villa and United get Gameweek 2 underway, we roll out our second set of Scout Picks for the 2015/16 campaign. We’ve doubled up on Southampton, Swansea, Liverpool and West Ham in our starting XI, with all four facing home comforts this time around.

For the start of the season, the budget for the Scout Picks and Community XI is capped at 82.5m, though this will be increased as the campaign progresses.

Swansea’s home clash with Newcastle brings Lukasz Fabianski into contention. The top scoring keeper in last year’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, he faces an attack that notched just 14 times on their travels in 2014/15 and has save point potential to fall back on should the Magpies find the net.

We’re keeping faith in Southampton’s Cedric Soares for the visit of Everton tomorrow lunchtime. The Saints earned 11 clean sheets at home last term and the raiding right-back’s assist against Newcastle persuades us to keep the faith, despite his half-time withdrawal at St James’.

Liverpool’s Monday evening match with Bournemouth brings Martin Skrtel onto our radar. The Slovakian earned more bonus points than any defender in 201/415 and should benefit from the BPS changes this time around, whilst his aerial threat should also pose problems in the opposition box for Eddie Howe’s men.

With the return of Carl Jenkinson placing some uncertainty over the West Ham defence, we’re opting for the security of Aaron Cresswell at home to Leicester. Granted, he’s the priciest route into Slaven Bilic’s backline but two goals and four assists in his debut season highlight the left-back’s attacking potential.

We’re opting for Dimitri Payet as West Ham welcome Leicester to Upton Park. The Frenchman – who created more chances than any player in Europe’s top five leagues last season – has already opened his account with an assist in the Gameweek 1 win over Arsenal and his creativity could prove the undoing of a defence that shipped two at home to Sunderland last time out.

Sadio Mane was somewhat unlucky not to get amongst the goals away to Newcastle last weekend. Handed a central role behind Graziano Pelle, the Senegal international found the net every 144.5 minutes at home last year – quicker than any regular midfielder – and looks poised to terrorise Everton at St Mary’s tomorrow lunchtime.

We’re backing Alexis Sanchez to earn a start and pick up the points away to Palace. After last week’s disaster at home to West Ham, Arsene Wenger is desperately seeking a response and the Chilean’s cameo off the bench bodes well for his chances against a defence that’s kept out their opponents in just two of Alan Pardew’s 19 league matches in charge.

After bagging the winner away to Stoke on Sunday, Philippe Coutinho looks in fine form for Liverpool’s home encounter with Bournemouth. Whilst Christian Benteke looked a little off the pace, the little Brazilian dazzled in a central role and should pose the Cherries plenty of problems on Monday evening.

Bafetimbi Gomis is our preferred route into Swansea’s attack for the visit of Newcastle. The Magpies conceded more headed attempts than any side in Gameweek 1, suggesting that the Frenchman’s aerial threat could prove crucial to Garry Monk’s men this weekend. No player produced more attempts inside the box than Gomis’ five in the opening round of fixtures.

Harry Kane was a little unlucky not to find the net against United, firing three attempts inside the box without success. With visitors Stoke devoid of Ryan Shawcross for the next couple of months, though, Kane could be set to convert those underlying numbers into Fantasy returns this time around.

Leader of this week’s Captain Poll, Wayne Rooney travels to a Villa side that have managed a single clean sheet at home under Tim Sherwood’s guidance. With the midlands outfit looking to go on the offensive, Rooney’s 41% of FPL owners will be hoping for an improvement after he opened the season with a somewhat fortuitous assist in last week’s narrow win over Spurs.

Kyle Walker warms the bench for Tottenham’s home clash with Stoke. Priced at just 5.0, the right-back looks to have retained a starting role despite the arrival of Kieran Trippier and bearing in mind that the Potters scored 16 times on their travels last term, the hosts could be in line for defensive returns.

Andre Ayew is a little unlucky only to make the bench. Having scored on his debut at Chelsea, the former Marseille man has taken no time to highlight the eye for goal that saw him notch ten times in Ligue 1 last year. Visitors Newcastle boasted the second-worst away defence in 2014/15 and, on the back of last Sunday’s showing against Southampton, Steve McClaren still has plenty of work to do.

At a price of just 6.5, Diafra Sakho could be a steal this weekend. Having scored four times in pre-season, he looks West Ham’s likeliest source of goals and with Payet pulling the strings in midfield, the Senegal striker is even an outside captaincy pick for some at home to Leicester.

The Community Champion

Having scrapped the weekly vote idea from last season, we now operate a lottery system to pick our weekly candidates. 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.

Last week saw Fuzzy Warbles beat us by a 12-point margin, thanks to his decision to start Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez against Sunderland.

This week’s champion is Daniel Levy – Not the Spurs Chairman, who has opted for the following side:

Community XI: Fabianski; Skrtel Cresswell Alderweireld; Payet, Lens, Mane, Sanchez; Gomis Kane Benteke

Like last week, both teams have eight of the same players – this means it’s a straight fight between Toby Alderweireld, Jeremain Lens and Christian Benteke and Soares, Coutinho and Rooney.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

3,306 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Hyperion
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Would you get Ayew or Montero over Payet and Coutinho if it meant you could do Walcott to Sanchez for 1 FT?

    1. Budweiser
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Probs Ayew if your gonna do it

    2. emperikal
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  2. Demí
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Benteke

    1. Les Bleus
      11 years, 2 months ago

      (c)

    2. Demí
      11 years, 2 months ago

      reply fail to LA ROJA

      1. La Roja
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Was set on him all week.

        Rooney is tempting all of a sudden

  3. Demí
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Xherdan Shaqiri will miss Stoke's game at Spurs due to suspension. Ban is carried over from a booking in a Coppa Italia game for Inter

    https://twitter.com/John__Percy/status/632230815494205440

    1. Big Jari Litmanen
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Walcott to Shaqiri GW3

      1. MarkyMarkovic
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Wild!
        like it though won't be following suit

        1. Big Jari Litmanen
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Walcott going down in price & a rotation risk. Plus Liverpool will be a difficult game for Arsenal

          1. MarkyMarkovic
            11 years, 2 months ago

            Walcott could just as easily put in a shift, get the points against Palace and make the 0.1m back from all the knee jerkers and people trying to chase value.

            Totally agree that liverpool will be a tough game to predict but that's for next weeks debates.

      2. Jax
        11 years, 2 months ago

        nah

    2. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good info. Should be in line to start against Norwich, then.

      1. Jax
        11 years, 2 months ago

        highly unlikely he'll start straight away

    3. BantamPhil
      11 years, 2 months ago

      His price looks great on fpl

  4. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 months ago

    It's official! Done and Dusted.

    http://i.imgur.com/nZdm548.png

    1. Fplnooob
      11 years, 2 months ago

      i'm sorry, but people making moves like this will never succeed in this game

      1. Nascimento
        11 years, 2 months ago

        You'll never win anything with kids either.

      2. Scoredelario
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Is that an ironic combination with your name or are you serious?

      3. RubeRx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 months ago

        You approve then?

      4. megatronaldinho
        11 years, 2 months ago

        u don't seem all that qualified to be making such an observation

      5. RubeRx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Link your team pro!

    2. schlupptheweek
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Just have Silva, Aguero, Hazard and Sanchez and apart from Jerome, Ighalo and Gradel the team is perfect.

    3. Surgical Attack
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Did the same buddy.. Good Luck

      1. RubeRx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Right back at ya!

  5. Quinny___
    11 years, 2 months ago

    You can never get a clear picture after one week and imo you cant get one till after the transfer window. Holding my FTs and WC close to my chest for now.

  6. Sess!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Still time to enter before the GW deadline:

    After the dismal GW1 for most, I've set up a new league called 'Things can only get better'.

    Entrants open to anyone who scored 30 or less in GW1. GW1 scores only relevant for entry as points scoring within the league will start from GW2.

    Code is: 795-649316

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I don't want to join a league where everyone has such a big points advantage over me already.

    2. SL8
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Dam missed the cut I got 31 points

    3. Jay_
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Just joined 🙂

    4. Muffinz
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Haha, I'm in! 😀

    5. Surgical Attack
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      joined 🙂

    6. Nascimento
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I got 68 🙁

  7. Budweiser
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play Haz or Mahrez?

    1. Numb
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard

    2. emperikal
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Really?

      1. Budweiser
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Lol I know but can't help but consider it after the last round and due to fixtures

    3. Simon69
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Haz over arguably ever other player in the league when it comes to Fantasy.. Let alone Mahrez.

  8. Mull
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Accidentally switched onto 'The Fantasy Football Club' for about 30 seconds. Might be the most awkward TV show ever.

    1. Simon69
      11 years, 2 months ago

      That's why I don't watch it. I don't think it's necessarily bad. I just can't handle the cringe.

    2. SL8
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Shame isn't it .. Absolute joke of a show they should commission the boys from FFS to run one

  9. patshaw
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Wilson or Coates in my XI?

    1. emperikal
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Coates

  10. emperikal
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go fellas?

    Kasper
    Bellerin - Jenkinson - Coates
    Sterling - Walcott - Mane (v) - Ayew
    Rooney - Benteke (C) - Sakho

    Hennessey - Kolarov - Ritchie - Huth

  11. There's Always One!
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Really need to know this guys.

    Is yaya going to rise? Why is he now at 11.1% on fiso

    1. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I think it might have been reset after he had his flag removed today.

      1. There's Always One!
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks but I need to know for sure.

        Is there any rules anywhere about price rises?

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          11 years, 2 months ago

          He wont rise.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      11 years, 2 months ago

      He was yellow flagged for a period.

    3. Quinny___
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Rise from the injury table maybe....

    4. NATSTER
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Flag removed and the stat was reset, I guess.

    5. Peter Russo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      hes not rising any time soon hes still on 15%

  12. Liquidfootball101
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Guys help

    Coutinho

    Or

    Payet

    if i don't go Payet ill have no west ham cover this week i have Bentekers but think Cout is a better option ???

    1. Numb
      11 years, 2 months ago

      When did "West Ham cover" become a thing?

      1. Liquidfootball101
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Since the scout picks came out tonight..

        1. Numb
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Oh, how did they do last week?

          1. Liquidfootball101
            11 years, 2 months ago

            You make a v.good point sir

      2. There's Always One!
        11 years, 2 months ago

        This

    2. emperikal
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Payet. Don't let his goal fool you. Benteke is the better option

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I hope
        Not much faith though

    3. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Payet.

      Coutinho is too unpredictable for me... he'll score well over the long term, but he's reliant on moments of individual brilliance. Payet looks the sort who'll keep ticking over, with lots of his points coming from set pieces.

    4. Peter Russo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      go payet if you have livepool cover fo sure....countinho for me not consistent enough for fantasy

  13. FPL FREAK
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Guys plz help me in this:

    Schmicle. Hannesey.
    Azpi. Mert. Francis. Turner. Simpson.
    Haz. Sterling. Wally. Hendo. Fletcher.
    Rooney. Kane. Deeney.

    1 ft 1.0 in bnk..

    Should i do:

    Hendo >> Ayew or Payet.....?? Decent chance...??

    Or sterling + Hendo >> Yaya + Coutinho for -4....??

    1. FPL FREAK
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone.....?? 🙁

  14. Coffee-Geek
    11 years, 2 months ago

    fabregas out, Ayew in -4?

    Yeah or neah ?

    1. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nope.

    2. Beavis
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Neah

      1. Coffee-Geek
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Ok cool. Thanks, that's what I was thinking.

        Probably be Fab 3 points
        Ayew 2

        Trying to curb the hits this season but it's hard in these early weeks

    3. Milner4eva
      11 years, 2 months ago

      selling fabregas for a hit is never a good idea

      1. Coffee-Geek
        11 years, 2 months ago

        You are probably right. He just look so under-cooked against Swansea.

    4. Numb
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yope

    5. emperikal
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I did this but with my FT. Wouldn't for a hit

    6. Muffinz
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I like it! Fab maybe losing his set pieces and Ayew looks class, though still unproven. Considering fixtures this would be the week to sell, but considering the hit and uncertainty around the players potential I'd save the transfer and reevaluate next GW.

  15. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 months ago

    PANIC!

    1. Jax
      11 years, 2 months ago

      On the streets of Carlisle, Dublin, Dundee ,Humberside

  16. Iago Aspas
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who should I captain from Rooney , sakho, Walcott, Chadli , hazard or mane

    1. BantamPhil
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I see you've narrowed it down to just a few choices...

      1. Iago Aspas
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Haha I'm thinking Rooney, just because I want to be interested in the match tonight

  17. elmoselite
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Kane or Benteke??

    1. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke

  18. MaxFFS
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who should start ?

    Butland (tot) or Schmeichel (whu)

    1. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Schmeichel

  19. money face bandwagon
    11 years, 2 months ago

    just here to say LOL@rooney captainers

    1. turd ferguson
      11 years, 2 months ago

      bad move

    2. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Those too early for a lol @

  20. turd ferguson
    11 years, 2 months ago

    ronney will grab a brace tonight

    1. Nascimento
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Ok

      1. turd ferguson
        11 years, 2 months ago

        troll head

  21. Owd Big 'Ed
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Shaqiri suspended for tomorrow's game.

    1. Jax
      11 years, 2 months ago

      yeah we know

  22. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone know what Tottenham's record against Stoke was last season?

    1. Owd Big 'Ed
      11 years, 2 months ago

      We beat them 2-1 at their place and 3-0 at ours.

      1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Chadli looking a good captain?

        1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
          11 years, 2 months ago

          right. ours = Stoke.

        2. Owd Big 'Ed
          11 years, 2 months ago

          He scored in this fixture last season.

          Why would you captain him against Stoke though? We are a solid team.

          1. Jax
            11 years, 2 months ago

            Spurs to win then.

          2. Brian (Not the Messiah)
            11 years, 2 months ago

            true, the ticker lies.

    2. Beavis
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Lost twice

      1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Stoke won both games?

    3. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Not good. They lost 2-1 at home (a couple of days after a Europa League match), and got beaten 3-0 at the Britannia towards the end of the season.

      1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks guys, that clears up any idea of a Tottenham Captain.

  23. Jeremiah
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A. Benteke

    B. Mane

    C. Sakho

    1. Milner4eva
      11 years, 2 months ago

      a

  24. Rohun
    11 years, 2 months ago

    What are the latest thoughts on theo?

    1. Big Jari Litmanen
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Play this game week

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I think they are crazy who sell him

  25. mike_89
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Stick with Rooney and Wallcot? Or switch one of them for Aguero/Alexis/Hazard

    Have 2.5 itb and ft

    1. Jeremiah
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Walcott > Alexis.

    2. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Theo > Alexis is a good move for free imo.

  26. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Dont get Shaq

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Shaq attack!

    2. De-spee comme Agüero
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Hack-A-Shaq

    3. Sz21
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Will be keeping tabs..

  27. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 months ago

    This game is about patience.

    Come on, we just had ONE game and everyone already seems to regret at least 2-3 of their choices!

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I've done pretty poorly when I've been patient too. Sometimes patience just means regretting your decisions for even longer.

  28. JazzButcher
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Why is Cedric Soares a GW 2 Scout Pick? Wasn't he carded and subbed last week?

    1. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good attacking potential

  29. PeteMorr
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play Azpi(mci) or Coates(NOR)?

    1. De-spee comme Agüero
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Coates

  30. La Roja
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Im gonna have 3 tequila shots and decide on captain

    1. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I approve of this strategy

    2. Jeremiah
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Can I join in?

    3. mipola
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Rarely a good idea.

    4. Beavis
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Lad. I hear Bentaleb is due.