[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
27 December 2015 7081 comments
Paul Paul
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Less than 24 hours after Gameweek 18 came to its conclusion, we’re back in the Scout Picks saddle yet again. Arsenal’s home clash with Bournemouth holds the biggest appeal this time around as we back a trio of Gunners to bring in the points as they look to recover from yesterday’s shock loss at St Mary’s.

We’ve opted for Maarten Stekelenburg as Southampton make their way to Upton Park tomorrow. Having kept out Arsenal at St Mary’s, the Dutchman could be in line for further defensive returns, given that the injury-hit Hammers have scored once in the last four Gameweeks.

Palace’s Scott Dann looks a strong shout for points at both ends of the pitch at home to Swansea. The 5.6-priced centre-half has already scored three times this term and has registered four efforts inside the box in as many matches, whilst the Swans have netted just twice in five ahead of their Selhurst Park head-to-head.

West Brom’s Craig Dawson gets the nod for the visit of Newcastle. The Baggies right-back netted his second strike of the season against Liverpool recently and faces a Magpies attack that’s scored just five times on their travels this term.

We call upon Hector Bellerin as our final defender, with Arsenal desperate to atone for their St Mary’s mauling. The right-back’s raids have already served up a pair of assists and he should be less prone to rotation than fellow full-back Nacho Monreal, if Arsene Wenger decides to shuffle his defensive pack for the Cherries’ visit.

Having suffered a rare blank at Southampton, Mesut Ozil has the chance to quickly make amends for his 50% owners at home to Bournemouth. With 15 assists already accrued, the German will fancy his chances of picking apart a backline that’s chalked up just one clean sheet on their travels.

We’re expecting goals at the King Power on Tuesday evening and draft in Riyad Mahrez as Leicester look to recover from their weekend loss at Liverpool. Although he’s tended to perform better on his travels, the Algerian has still managed four sets of double-figure at home, whilst the City defence has one shut-out in eight and is likely to be without Vincent Kompany yet again.

Kevin de Bruyne rolls up to the Foxes in fine form. The Belgian delivered his second 16-point haul in the last five Gameweeks against Sunderland on Saturday and with Tuesday’s match set to be an end-to-end affair, his security of minutes earns him the nod as our preferred City attacker.

Stoke’s in-form Marko Arnautovic takes the final slot in our four-man midfield. The Austrian – who bagged his sixth of the season in yesterday’s win over United – sits joint-top amongst midfielders for attempts on goal in the last four Gameweeks and now travels to Goodison Park, where Everton have kept just one clean sheet so far.

Olivier Giroud makes it a full house of Arsenal players for the Emirates match with Bournemouth. The Gunners have scored at least twice in all but one of their last six home encounters, and, having notched in seven of his last ten, the Frenchman has proven almost as consistent as team-mate Ozil over the previous couple of months.

Everton’s home form brings Romelu Lukaku into contention for the visit of Stoke. The Toffees are second only to City for goals scored in front of their own fans and with the big Belgian netting in each of the previous four at Goodison, he’s sure to pose Mark Hughes’ resilient rearguard problems aplenty tomorrow.

Harry Kane makes his way to Watford on the back of a 13-point haul against Norwich on Boxing Day. Although the Hornets have been mainly resilient at home, they have, nonetheless, conceded against top six sides such as Palace, Arsenal and United at Vicarage Road, whilst the Tottenham frontman’s record of five strikes in his last four road trips bodes well for his 31% ownership.

Alberto Moreno comes in for Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland. The left-back has earned four bonus points over his side’s last two clean sheets, and, in spite of a lack of attacking returns, he’s still produced four shots and ten key passes in the last four Gameweeks – more than any other backline option.

Rested for the weekend trip to Spurs, Wes Hoolahan is poised to earn a recall as Norwich host Villa at Carrow Road. The Republic of Ireland international scored in his previous home appearance and faces a defence that has conceded in every road trip since Gameweek 1.

With Graziano Pelle still injured, Shane Long is poised to keep his starting berth for Southampton’s trip to West Ham. Having bagged a brace against Arsenal, he’ll he hoping to take advantage of a Hammers backline that has concerns over both James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell ahead of tomorrow’s Upton Park clash.

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.

Gameweek 18’s community champion Saint Slaven lost out to the Scouts by 46 points to 58. Red Devil leads the race to claim the £100 Amazon voucher, having beaten us by 25 points in Gameweek 17.

There is now a break in the selection of community champions due to the fast turnaround of matches. We will resume the search for a community champion to take on the Scout Picks ahead of Gameweek 21.

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

  1. Ace Ventura
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    On a wildcard and can't decide between
    1. aguero, luka, ighalo
    Or
    2. Luka, Kane, ighalo,
    Or
    3. Aguero, kane, ighalo

    Quick poll?

    1. XABI 15
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      3

    2. Snapes on a Plane
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      3

    3. the cromulent one
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Probably 3.

    4. Worzel Gummidge
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Aguero, Kane, Lukaku?

        1. Fanta sea
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          trust me, I'm in the same situation and it's not viable. The midfield will get decimated

          1. Worzel Gummidge
              10 years, 2 months ago

              I will have it next week or the following with midfield of:

              Mahrez, KDB, Ozil, Walcott, Alli.

              Not too bad.

              1. Fanta sea
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Not bad but not great either. I'm looking to get Hazard or Sanchez into my midfield with aguero, kane and ighalo. I'd rather that than have Lukaku in that team.

                It all rests on whether hazard or sanches can start recovering that form they showed last season.

                1. Worzel Gummidge
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    I have a plan to get sanchez for Ozil if needs be and will be avoiding Chelsea attackers like the plague.

                    1. Worzel Gummidge
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        Especially Hazard.

                      • Fanta sea
                        • 10 Years
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        I'd rather not lose Ozil and with a new manager and a new system, Hazard might just spring back into for again. They've already score 5 in their last 2 games. It's only a matter of time i think.

                2. DAN DARE
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Leaves me a midfield of KDB, Ozil, Mahrez, Alli, Stanislas. Don't think that's too bad

            • Fanta sea
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              For now I'd go with 2 but if aguero starts to score, then switch to 3

            • MartialMatas
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              2

            • Gizzachance
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              2 for time being

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

            Got 2 ft's to spend, what should I do?

            De Gea Hennessey

            VDV Bellerin Sagna Moreno Simpson

            KDB Ramsey Mahrez Alli Wanyama

            Lukaku Giroud Aguero

            1. VS10_
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Sagna should probably go.

          3. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Bolasie out.

            In..
            A) Arnie
            B)Yaya.

            1. Snapes on a Plane
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              A

            2. Zasa
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Has to be Yaya imo, Gnu.

            3. Gnu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Cheers guys.
              Arnie seems very tempting but Yaya has more appeal, I'm expecting more solid returns from him.

          4. Mull
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            I can't decide who to bench between Moreno, Mert, Evans and Walker. Any ideas?

            1. Demí
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              All out defence chip

              1. Mull
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                My attackers are too good for that 😉

              2. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                😆

            2. Snapes on a Plane
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Walker

            3. Bolivian Seaman
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Walker, Mert probably won't play.

            4. Snapes on a Plane
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Altough Wenger might Bench Metersacker so u dont have to worry .

              1. Mull
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                I thought he'd got over benching Mertesacker.

            5. Hybrid.power
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Walker. Watford will score.

          5. Optimus.
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            The last footy game I played was PES 5 about 10 years ago.. My kid(8) got the ps4 and fifa16 this Xmas so I was introduced to console footy again 🙂 We played 3 games of 2-1 scorelines

            I got PES 16 myself as part of a Christkindle pressie and me and my sons 1st game was a 4-3 at HT 😎 No contest, I think he will have to get used to "square button" been the shoot button :cool 🙂

            1. Lallana_
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Ultimate Team is fun on FIFA 16

            2. Mull
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Send him to his room if he beats you.

            3. Spencer
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              I got PES this year too and still cross instead of shoot. 😳

            4. Samwise the Brave
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              U can invert the controls to be Fifa or PES on both games. Used to b a PES man but to many poor games turned me to Fifa

            5. Jay_
                10 years, 2 months ago

                I think you can change the square and circle buttons to shoot/slide tackle in the settings 🙂

            6. Dr Kenneth Noisewater
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              A) Vardy > Ighalo
              B) Coutinho + Vardy > Aguero + Alli

              Both for freebies...

              1. the cromulent one
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Depends if Alli is a 4th or 5th mid.

                1. Dr Kenneth Noisewater
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Alli would become a 4th - not an ideal situation.

              2. Fanta sea
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                I'd keep coutinho for this next game so go with A. That liverpool win will do wonders for a team managed by Klopp. He'll hail it as the greatest victory in liverpool's history and get the players believing that if they can beat the top team, they can beat anyone. I reckon we'l see that confidence in the sunderland game.

                Hate to see it because I'm a Utd fan but I just have a feeling Liverpool will go on a run.

            7. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              surprised so many are ditching vardy. have I missed something?

              1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
                • 15 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Didn't score v rubbish liverpool team

                1. Licky
                  • 13 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  I wouldn't say rubbish, I'd say inconsistent, with a few individuals who are liabilities.

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

                No

            8. Snapes on a Plane
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Best Barkley Replacement?
              (Budget -7.7)
              A) Mane
              B) Aurnatovic
              C) Wijnaldum

              1. XABI 15
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Payet next week

            9. Total Foot 5
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Rangel: is he nailed? thinking of getting him. cheap 4.1 fb. started last 3 games, had an asist last gw

            10. Nerazzuro
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Barkley to Rambo or Vardy to Giroud worth a FT this GW?

            11. Worzel Gummidge
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Who sits on the pine?

                a) KDB
                b) Sterling
                c) Mahrez
                d) Vardy
                e) Kane
                f) Lukaku
                g) Ozil
                h) Walcott

                Currently on Vardy 1st sub and will no doubt be sticking with this.

              • drughi
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                I'm doing a face lift on my defence, could use some suggestions. saylor, richards, sagna and zouma is the issues. Have 2 ft so thinking ward/delaney and toby/bertrand in. Any better bets ?

              • Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Ake or ward

                Already have Hennessey

              • Bobby_Baggio
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Vardy > Ighalo FT worth it?

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

                  no

                2. Slam
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Yes

              • Ayew Serious
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                All you people talking up Ighalo, it's about time

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

                  For what?

                  1. andy85wsm
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 15 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Ayew Serious has been the only owner of Ighalo up until now 😉

                    1. Ayew Serious
                      • 10 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      No, I've been the only one telling you he is the best striker in the game at the moment and that he's captaincy material in almost every game

                      Top scorer

              • M.I.A.
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Need some advice please guys.

                Is Coutinho > Walcott worth a -4?

                1. LVGs Army
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  not imo

                2. Bolivian Seaman
                  • 15 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  no

                3. Arteta
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Probably not.

              • Lallana_
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Anyone bring Aguero in or too risky?

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

                  Several thousand

                2. XABI 15
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  i did for Vardy

                3. Forever In Our Shadow
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Done it last week. (C) this week me thinks.

              • Slam
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Pick 1 to bench:

                Fonte (whm)
                Moreno (sun)
                Dann (Swa)
                Bellerin (BOU)

                1. LVGs Army
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  moreno

                2. Jay_
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Fonte for me

                3. Tomeister
                  • 11 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Will Elliot definitely start despite his error on Saturday?

                  1. Demí
                    • 15 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Got MOTM i think. Would imagine so, been in good form lately

                  2. Hibbo
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    It was a very good header by Cleverely.

                    Hard to fault Elliot IMO.

                  3. Worzel Gummidge
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      he is the only one keeping them in it. I would go as far to say as on the same level as Krul.

                  4. TorresMagic™
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 16 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Predictions for Vardy points vs Man City?

                    1. LVGs Army
                      • 10 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      7

                    2. andy85wsm
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 15 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      1

                      1. TorresMagic™
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 16 Years
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        and suspended?

                    3. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
                      • 11 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      1

                    4. Lallana_
                      • 12 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      7 since Kompany is out 😆

                    5. Forever In Our Shadow
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      6. Kun 17. 😉

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

                      6

                    7. The EJJ
                      • 14 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      17

                  5. Daddy
                    • 10 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    1FT. 4.0ITB

                    Butland
                    Ward Bellerin Clyne
                    Ozil Mahrez KDB Alli
                    Kane Lukaku Vardy

                    Lloris - Cresswell King Darmian

                    Is there anyone i should get rid of or should i save my transfer?

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

                    Best 3 defenders next 3 GWs?

                    1. Bobbydhino - ⚒ Saint Slav…
                      • 16 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      Dann - Johnson - Bellerin

                  7. The Raging Bull
                    • 12 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Why is Mahrez overlooked as captain?

                    City aren't great at defending especially with Kompany ruled out. City defenders are sloppy, so possible penalty chance. Mahrez is still in good form and explosive. City will attack, leaving plenty of gaps for Mahrez to exploit.

                    1. yemzinho
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      Yup. Captaining him this week

                    2. VS10_
                      • 10 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      The whole Leicester team looks a bit tired.

                    3. F_Ivanovic
                      • 10 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      People said the same last week (except he wasn't overlooked then) about Liverpool. I agree that Mahrez will probably have a decent chance to score (hence why I'll never bench him!) however, his value often lies in bonus points. And if he scores 1 and City score 3 then his chance of a high bonus score will diminish - and that's what you always look for in a captain pick.

                      It boils down to the fact there are just better options this week (as there was last week with Kane)

                      When Leicester play Bournemouth the following week I'm sure I and many others will be captaining him then!

                  8. Moens
                    • 16 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Guys, Arnautovic or Alli??

                    1. ★Kuntheman★
                      • 10 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      Alli

                    2. Zasa
                      • 11 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      The thrilla in Manila, imo

                  9. MartialMatas
                    • 11 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    which player do you think will get the most points this week from west brom norwich or stoke?

                    1. Demí
                      • 15 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      Butland

                      1. MartialMatas
                        • 11 Years
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        weird game where is basically pointless if the player doesnt get 5 or more points. you still think butland?

                    2. Zasa
                      • 11 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      Myhill imo.

                  10. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
                    • 11 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Triple Arsenal this GW.
                    I'd better see a response

                    1. ★Kuntheman★
                      • 10 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      Same

                    2. Piggs Boson
                      • 14 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      The last time they failed to score was in GW6 against Chelsea. They scored 5 goals in the next game.

                      1. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
                        • 11 Years
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        Rambo (C) gb?

                        1. Piggs Boson
                          • 14 Years
                          10 years, 2 months ago

                          Great choice imo!!

                          Theo(C) for me.

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

                      Response
                      Will that do?

                      1. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
                        • 11 Years
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        Haha 😉

                    4. semiconductor
                      • 11 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      i have 3 already

                  11. Piggs Boson
                    • 14 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Hazard vs Young 😕

                    1. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
                      • 11 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      0-0 bore draw

                  12. ★Kuntheman★
                    • 10 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    Good to go? Would love any advice: http://imgur.com/s2vIEZR

                  13. Bolivian Seaman
                    • 15 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    In Upfl, can I make a loan during a gameweek. Say I want benteke in for the last match and make a loan after Monday's games will I be able to play him on the Wednesday?

                    1. Mull
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      No. Can only loan before a GW starts.

                      1. Bolivian Seaman
                        • 15 Years
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        Thanks, yeah there is a deadline. Cheers

                  14. semiconductor
                    • 11 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    dont really need transfer in my team but i have 2FTs so considering those. please choose?1m itb

                    1. nyom to walker/dier (terrible wat fixtures)
                    2. nyom to wolly (i have butland as keeper)
                    3. gosling to stanislas (more attack and use extra cash)
                    4. gosling to alli (but will need to downgrade soon)
                    5. lukaku to kane (luk has hard fixtures coming up)

                    1. F_Ivanovic
                      • 10 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      4 or 5 - why will you need to downgrade alli soon? Surely gosling to alli is similar price diff than lukaku to kane?

                      I wouldn't worry about watford's bad fixtures; they had 4 tough looking in a row but then beat Liverpool and drew Chelsea. Sure, they could lose to Spurs and City but then have some decent fixtures after and you wouldn't want to have to waste a transfer later down the line to bring back in a watford defender