[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. JCrosbie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Walcot out
    Payet in 4pt hit?

    Brought sanchez in and walcot dropping

    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      of course

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

        Seriously? Ha...

  2. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Head says captain Benteke, which I have but the gut is saying he will only get 2 baps

    I had a dream Darmian scored a peno midweek but we will see abut that.

    Really thinking about going Roonski, Mane or Sanchez as cap but don't want to differ too much from the popular captain choice this early in the season

    Decisions

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Follow your dream?

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

        I once had a dream that Shola Ameobi scored 13 goals past Man Utd. Dreams don't mean s**t!

      2. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I could until he rose to 5.6 ffs!

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

      2 baps on top of his brace.

      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        I take it you're opting for Tekkers for capt too? Any second thoughts?

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

    Got no one in tonight's game, so further slide down the rankings coming up.

  4. Hypnos
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Booney or Renteke?

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

      Crayne!

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

    Want to bring in Payet.

    Who should I take out - Walcott or Fabregas?

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

      Wally.

    2. rupopo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Fabs

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

      Fabs.

    4. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Wally for Sanchez, Payet for Fabs

      BOOM

  6. Nicks93
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Captain who ?

    A) Sanchez

    B) Rooney

    C) Sakho

    D) Mane or Pelle

  7. ktk_interista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Is it only me or should some people here learn to be more courteous with their language. You call someone a sheep or following the herd for not agreeing with you. Most probably they are thinking the same of you. Better have a well constructed argument and explain your point.

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

      It's you

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

      I think sum ppl need to help others more instead of just asking questions all the time!

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

      You shut the hell up! You SHUT your mouth, son!

      😀

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

      I thank people for disagreeing with me. Not only is it the closest I get to any objectivity, but it also confirms what I've always known.

      I'm a shepherd! 😉

    5. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      No. 95% of people just dont make their own decisions.

    6. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Unless they have a decent fpl history or I know em, I find it hard to take the cowboys seriously! You gota be able to tell the good from the bad

  8. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    should i bench fabregas and play Azpi ???

    cedric merte gomez AZPI
    FAB Ozil Walcott Depay
    Benteke Pelle Rooney

    Y or N ????

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

    one last try,

    A) Walcott -> Payet

    B) Wilson -> Sakho

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      B for me

    2. Gazj11
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

    Wilson --> Gomis for free ?

    YAY or NAY ? no Aguero 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Yes. Do it. Good move

  11. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Callum Wilson (liv)
    Or
    Darren Fletcher (wat)

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

      wilson

  12. Super Zlatan8
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Benteke or Rooney captain?

    1. Super Zlatan8
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      1st to 3 wins

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

        What's your team link so I can check if you actually do this?

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Tekkers.

    3. Oliver Tockman
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Rooney

    4. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Tekkers!

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

      Rooney

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

    Oxford or Mahrez?

    Got Adrian

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

      I'm in same dilemma I'd go mahrez coz I feel if Westham concede he will b among the points!

  14. People in Preston
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    I pay my membership to support Mark and the boys and girls who make this site what it is, and support the community. Occasionally I do read the constant stream of nothingness that qualifies as "chat", but tonight I wished I hadn't. Amongst all the informative and interesting comments, I couldn't help noticing that a shed load of posters have had a frontal lobotomy. Which was obviously unsuccessful.

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

      Well done

    2. Gazj11
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Ah diddums

  15. Oliver Tockman
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Who else took a -8 hit?

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

      ouch

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      yikes:)

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

      no one willing to post right now before deadline

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

    Nothing to read here. Just helping pages move faster. Walcott, pick 2, who's capt? Etc. bla bla

  17. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Play Wilson or Coates? Chance of a SUN clean sheet??

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

    POLL:

    Sakho OR Gomis ?

    1. Oliver Tockman
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Gomis

    2. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Gomis

  19. kesh
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    6 minutes left!! Pick 2 out of:

    A) Mahrez (whu)
    B) Ayew (NEW)
    C) Kouyate (LEI)

    Thanks!

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

      A and B

  20. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    LOL @ all those Sanchez panic transfers 😀

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

      If ... all those around you are panicking,
      And ... you are keeping a cool head ...

      It may be that you have misunderstood the situation!

  21. semiconductor
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    i think i made a mistake but hope it would pay-off

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      You sold Hazard?

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

        yeah for sanchez

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          What a mistake.

        2. ktk_interista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          Too bad you miss Hazard's 11 points in a 1-0 win witha dubious penalty 🙂

  22. Areid13
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    predictions?

    Man Utd vs. Villa
    Southampton vs. Everton

    1. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      1-1
      2-1

    2. ktk_interista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      4-1
      1-0

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

    I did it Doosra 🙂

    Alexis, welcome.

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      for Hazard?

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

        For Cazorla. Ft.

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

      Good man! Good Luck!!! 😀

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

        Thanks and to you!

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

      and the club has another member

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

        Let's go JK.

    4. LMFAO
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Ditto, Doos convinced a few of us.

  24. banskt
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    whom to play -- Lescott or Cedric?

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

      Cedric imo.

  25. Quinny___
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Strong word is Januzaj is playing as striker tonight

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

      bollacks is a strong word

  26. GrumblyBlowfish
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Defoe (c) is absurd right?

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

      no

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

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

        I can't do it. It just looks wrong.

    3. ktk_interista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Too risky when the are many other outstanding options with great fixtures.

  27. YORKIDDINGMEE
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Walcott (C)? Silly?

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

      yes

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Very

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Asking with 4 mins is.

      1. Big Jari Litmanen
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Can I join LMS please?

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

      yes very silly

    5. Oliver Tockman
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      yes

  28. megatronaldinho
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    i've gone against mull's advice for a second time. may god have mercy on my soul. even after doubling his vote the other side took it. now in a rooney-less boat attempting to navigate hazard-ous waters

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

      😀

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

        I knew you'd like that! 👿

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

    Ahhhhhhhh can't decide on Pelle vs Sakho (C).

    Soulja Boy time!!! Now watch me youuuuuuuuuu

    1. Gazj11
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Pelle

    2. ktk_interista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Any other choices. Neither are explosive. Looks like a 12 or 14 at best.

  30. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Utd lineup?