[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

  1. DF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    This is all moving very quickly.
    But perhaps I should let you know I found a Centepede as big as a flip flop on my floor this evening.
    Anyone else Gomis (c)?

    1. Butthead
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      In the UK?

      1. DF
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Burma

    2. Exeter Gently
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      gomis vc

    3. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      How big is the flip flop?

      1. DF
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Havianas 40/41

    4. Shmadz - Le Saux Solid Crew
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I have!

      1. DF
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Deadly.
        Good luck brother.

  2. AH94
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    £2.0m ... 1FT 🙂 🙂 🙂

    A) Hazard -> Alexis

    B) Sterling -> Alexis (Uses my Aguero money)

    B) Wilson -> Sakho/Gomis (Leaves with only 0.5m for Aguero)....

    1. HearMeRoar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      D) keep.

    2. Goaldigger
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Would B

      1. Goaldigger
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        The first B 🙂

  3. il Brutto
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    A big peace of me just died with Walcott saying good byes to his teammates and leaving my team.

    1. il Brutto
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      *part

  4. Sanchez | Energy
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Sahko, Gomis or Sanchez for (c) ???

    1. Exeter Gently
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      B or C

    2. DZola
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      A or B

  5. Butthead
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Is the Villa game on TV tonight?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      sky sports

      1. Butthead
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. Hailzter
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      No, they just decided to not broadcast it tonight because they're feeling lazy.

      1. Redalert
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Easier to reply with a yes

    3. Wouter
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      That's the whole reason the game is being played tonight.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        No it isnt

  6. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Rooney or Payet as captain?

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Rooney

      1. Danstoke82
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. Goaldigger
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Roo

  7. Techy
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Play Ivanovic or Fabregas?

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Ivan

      1. Techy
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers! Thought so myself

  8. theChosenOne
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    evening all 🙂
    anyone fancy firmino as a punt this week?

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

    2. Frank Black
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      He's definitely going to be in my team at some point but wait to see him play from the start.

  9. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Sakho Pelle Mane Rooney

    Please pick one to captain... Really really struggling.

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Rooney

    2. owls on the up
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Sakho

    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      In a similar boat. Not a lot in it. Mane.

  10. schlupptheweek
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Although I won't start Gradel this week is he worth getting for 6.0m given former Ligue 1 are fashionable right now.

  11. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Milner or Sakho captain?

    1. waitinginthelonggrass
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Sakho

    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Sakho

    3. Kirwan24
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Sakho

  12. Sanchez | Energy
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Sahko, Gomis or Sanchez for (c) ????

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez

    2. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Gomis

    3. owls on the up
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Sakho for me, gomis a good shout as well

    4. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks All

  13. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Am I mad in going with Kane as my captain even though I have Benteke and Rooney?

    1. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Nope.

    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Not at all.

    4. Captain Goodwin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      You won't know for sure unless you do it

    5. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers all; Kane it is then. 🙂

  14. Zizou
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    wally haz Ritchie sterling
    aguero deeney benteke

    Who would you captain

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Tekker

  15. John Nerdelbaum
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    1st sub

    a) Huth (whm)
    b) Westwood (MUN)

    1. Exeter Gently
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      a

  16. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Rooney really needs a goal tonight. He needs to prove he can be the 20 goal striker United need.

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Depay to score tonight!

    2. Exeter Gently
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      i think that ship has sailed but all it takes is a few braces and a hatty or two

    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      - and he is really good under pressure ...

    4. United come on!
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I dont captain him but I am happy if that happens.

  17. Stats King-@football2space
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go ?
    Ruddy
    Huth – Cedric – Coates
    Hazard – Cazorla – Mahrez – Payet
    Rooney VC– Kane C– Deeney

    Bench: Butland – Sinclair – Azpi – Francis
    3.0 ITB & 0 FT

  18. Ivanov Itch
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Front line of defoe, rooney and benteke

    Midfield mahrez, walcott, mane and hendo

    Question is should i take anyone out for hazard??

    1. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Walcott or Defoe

    2. magnetsbitch
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      def. not this week..period

  19. Rabbinton
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Rooney V Benteke for captain?

    1. WhatIfPeterFearWasA...
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Benteke

  20. magnetsbitch
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    AZPI, O'SHEA, TARGETT, HUTH, MINGS

    whom to start?

  21. WhatIfPeterFearWasA...
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Azpilicueta or Coates guys? Cheers

  22. Paris Ganja Man
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    *sigh. I've bottled it and changed captain from Pelle to Tekkers, just can't resist MNF

  23. 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Looks like Januzaj starting tonight.
    Depay more dangerous playing No.10 or on left wing?
    I think the latter.

    1. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Seriously hope januzai isn't starting!

    2. Woeisme
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      How you figure that?

  24. AH94
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Hazard/Sterling -> Alexis ???? .... 2.0ITB 1FT

    HAVE SANTI

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Save

  25. 20LEGEND
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Does anyone know what time are the starting lineups announced tonight?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Around deadline

    2. JogaSemmedo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      6.45pm

  26. JogaSemmedo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Targett or Bellerin?

    1. magnetsbitch
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      toss

      1. JogaSemmedo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I literally just have. Heads for Targett/Tails for Bellerin!

        Heads it is!

  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    all of my players to score please

    tbh even just 1 scoring would better last week

  28. Runaway
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    A) Walcott -> Payet

    B) Wilson -> Sakho

  29. parkerdip
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Benteke or Sanchez captain?

  30. Zero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    A) Milner
    B) Wilson

    Going with Milner, all good yeah?

    1. Wrizard
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Milner4eva
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      yep