[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. Prof SE
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Walcott to:

    A) Payet (already have Sakho)

    B) Ayew

    C) Save

    1. Quinny___
      11 years, 2 months ago

      c

    2. fatherted
      11 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

      Save

    6. dgs2
      11 years, 2 months ago

      b

    7. Goaldigger
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm saving

      1. Prof SE
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Yeh I do feel that there will be so many other options to consider after this GW, such as Yaya, Firmino, Chadli (feel he has gone under the radar). But the -.1 from Walcott makes a big difference. I don't feel there is great value in holding on to your WC for too long therefore i'm slightly more reluctant to be save with transfers and the expense of effectively losing .5 from budget early on.

        1. Prof SE
          11 years, 2 months ago

          *safe *at

  2. Quinny___
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Rooney, Benteke or Mane as captain?

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

      Rooney

    2. Zareos
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke for me.

    3. Meghan
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke

    4. SheBangsTheDrums
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke

  3. mblack751
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Best 5.5m defender?
    Shaw, Kolorov, Mert

    1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Skrtel, Mangala, Fonte

      1. Frank Black
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Cresswell too.

        1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Oh, yes! 🙂

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

    I have a feeling its going to be Depay's night. 1 goal 1 assist and 2 baps

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Would be lovely...!

    2. Quinny___
      11 years, 2 months ago

      only 2 baps with a goal and assist? Who else you planning on scoring big to get all 3

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

        Rooney 2 goals and 1 assist. 4-1 Utd 😉

        1. Hailzter
          11 years, 2 months ago

          lol

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

            Its not a big stretch at all. Utd have a tradition of thrashing Villa home and away.

        2. Goaldigger
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Oh yes please

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

      I sold him so yes your probably right

      1. fatherted
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Fear not as I still own him

    4. HamezMace
      11 years, 2 months ago

      In this scenario who do you tip for the 3 BAPS?

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

        See above.

        1. HamezMace
          11 years, 2 months ago

          I hope you're right, I have the armband on Rooney, over Benteke

    5. Prof SE
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Not quite. Probably going down at least .1 this week

  5. Big_Andy_GAWA
    11 years, 2 months ago

    No Bentekers in the Scoutpicks squad ?! Change the armband off him to Rooney ? Thoughts...??

    1. Quinny___
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Just because hes not up there doesnt mean you cant pick him. He playing at home to a newly promoted club

    2. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke is a solid pick for armband.

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I'll keep it on him 'til Monday and scream at the TV, then... 😀

    3. Del Griffith
      11 years, 2 months ago

      how often are scout picks correct? not often, flip a coin

  6. AH94
    11 years, 2 months ago

    C.Wilson --> Gomis (c) FREE

    YAY or NAY (would leave me with only .5ITB for Kun, Shall downgrade Raheem at the time)

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

    Is fiso working?

    If it is yaya won't rise?

    1. Exeter Gently
      11 years, 2 months ago

      there's always viagra

  8. GHB
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Targett (EVE) or Mert (palace)

    1. Exeter Gently
      11 years, 2 months ago

      mert

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

      Targett for sure. Palace will score.

  9. Rabbinton
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Targett, Mert, Azpi - pick one?

    1. Exeter Gently
      11 years, 2 months ago

      mert

    2. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Mert

  10. HamezMace
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone know if there is a nailed on left back for Everton in Baines absence?

    Galloway, Garbutt, or Oveido all options?

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

      Garbutt currently injured. I would guess that Galloway would retain his spot. Looked sound last week.

    2. Quinny___
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Garbutt went out on loan i thought?

      1. HamezMace
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Think you're right about that, they might need to recall him now though?

    3. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Grabutt has gone on loan

      probably Oviedo

      Not sure why you'd want an Everton defender though

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Grabutt? 😆 😆

        Garbutt

        1. HamezMace
          11 years, 2 months ago

          My thinking was that if a cheap youth team player was nailed on he could be worth a punt, I don't think Everton are going to get hammered every week until GW10 like some people are suggesting.

  11. Sanchez | Energy
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Walcott or Sanchez?

    1. Bubz
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez obv

    2. Exeter Gently
      11 years, 2 months ago

      sanch

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

    Francis (liv) or Huth (whu)?

    1. madame shelly
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Huth

  13. Blue Moon Rising
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Start two from:

    A) O'Shea
    B) Wilson
    C) Anya?

    1. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Is Oshea starting?

      1. Blue Moon Rising
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Considering they shipped four id expect him to come back in

        1. Wrizard
          11 years, 2 months ago

          assuming he plays i'd pick A and B

  14. Risk It For aBiscuit
    11 years, 2 months ago

    C ! Rooney or Sanchez ?

    Please thank you

    1. Zareos
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez

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

      Roon

  15. KRANOKM
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Tried build my team, using wildcard option - got in Silva/Sanchez/Aguero/Gomis/Albrighton - removed Sterling/Walcott/Rooney/Kane/Sakho/Ritchie etc - the whole 9 yards...and didn't mess around with my defense....RMT showed that my actual team will outscore the wildcard team by around 4-6 points every week....makes me think whether bandwagons make sense.....

  16. fatherted
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is having Mane enough of a differential without handing him the armband??

    1. Quinny___
      11 years, 2 months ago

      7.5% ownership is pretty low

    2. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      probs not

    3. KRANOKM
      11 years, 2 months ago

      7.5% of the teams have Mane which is quit slow and might prove to be an interesting bet...however is he worth the 8.0 or is it going to be Tadic's season ?

  17. Breadbin
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Choose my captain for me, I'm so stupid that I can't choose one myself.

    1. Fred54
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I hear loads about this Messi fella.

    2. Exeter Gently
      11 years, 2 months ago

      i see what you did there bb

    3. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Craig Gardner.

    4. Zareos
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke 😉

    5. Woeisme
      11 years, 2 months ago

      +1

  18. Elijah's Wood
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Completely lost for captaincy, Walcott, Sakho or Mane? First to 3

    1. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

    2. Hailzter
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

    3. Red Devil Swede
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sakho

    4. SheBangsTheDrums
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Have you got any other options?

      1. Elijah's Wood
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Its really just those 3 or Rooney, Ozil/Walcott

    5. Elijah's Wood
      11 years, 2 months ago

      2 for Mane, i'll blame you all later. Thank you for the replies 😀

  19. Dr Dream
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Rooney for me, Captain Samchez and Captain Kane for my lads. Not sure any of us have called it right but it's how I like it.

  20. CarsonYeung
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Give Rooney another shot as captain or go for Benteke against Bournmouth?

    1. Dr Dream
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke

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

      Tekkers

    3. madame shelly
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Tekkers

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

    Need a replacement for Ulloa. Who? Max 5.5

    A Zarate
    B Defoe
    C Deeney
    D Wilson
    E Others

    Currently on Defoe

    1. Exeter Gently
      11 years, 2 months ago

      b or c

    2. FantasyFootballNerd
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Defoe mate.

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

      Or save and play Ibe from bench?

    4. KRANOKM
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Denny

    5. Fred54
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Zarate has some very nice fixtures coming up. Pretty sure Defoe's got two home games coming up as well, as I looked into Lens, but have lost Johnson and looked all over the place. Albiet one game and all that.

      Zarate for me.

    6. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      A.

    7. Big Jari Litmanen
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Zarate

  22. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is there anyway to find out team sheet before 6.45!?

      11 years, 2 months ago

      Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Mata, Depay, Young, Rooney.

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

      Hide in a laundry basket and hope to get wheeled into a dressing room.

    2. Quinny___
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sit in the changing room and listen to LVG telling the players

  23. Lyonnais
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Ritchie ---> Ayew worth a hit ?

    1. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nope.

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

      No

    3. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      no

  24. pundit of punts
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Captain?

    A. Rooney
    B. Kane
    C. Pelle
    D. Sanchez
    E. Mane

    1. Piggs Boson
      11 years, 2 months ago

      D

    2. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Great set of choices. I think B is a good bet if you've got him.

    3. pundit of punts
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers lads.

    4. Milner4eva
      11 years, 2 months ago

      b

  25. Lallana_
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who are you guys captaining? 😎

    1. Piggs Boson
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Alexis!

    2. FantasyFootballNerd
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Tekkers

    3. Dr Dream
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Rooney, but only because it's on TV on the last ought of my hols.

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

    Best West Ham 5.0 defender?

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Reid

    2. Ludo
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Ogbonna

    3. Exeter Gently
      11 years, 2 months ago

      jenks

    4. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 months ago

      TBC.

    5. Francescoli
      11 years, 2 months ago

      jenks

  27. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Best news of the week. Only two of the scout picks in my side!

  28. johnnyw9
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Ibe or ayew at mid???

    1. Wrizard
      11 years, 2 months ago

      ayew

  29. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Sakho Pelle Mane Rooney

    Please pick one to captain... Really really struggling

    1. PGR
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

  30. Anders
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Have I got my subs in the right order?

    Wanyama EVE (H), Morgan WHU (A), Francis LIV (A)

    1. Anders
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Damn, last post, lol!