Scout Picks
1 April 2016 1932 comments
Paul Paul
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With the international break finally behind us, our Friday evening attentions turn to the Gameweek 32 Scout Picks. We roll out a 4-4-2 formation this time around and double up on Arsenal, Leicester and West Ham as all three prepare for vital home encounters over the weekend’s ten fixtures.

A home clash with Palace affords West Ham a strong chance to extend their 12-match unbeaten run at Upton Park. With four clean sheets in the last five in front of their own fans, we’re bringing in Adrian between the posts.

With three assists in his last two appearances, Hector Bellerin is the in-form option as Arsenal entertain Watford. The Gunners will be desperate to avenge their FA Cup exit at the hands of Quique Sanchez Flores’ side, who have scored in just one of their last five roads trips.

Sunderland’s Patrick Van Aanholt gets the nod for a home encounter with West Brom. The Dutchman has found the net on five occasions already this term and faces a Baggies side that have scored just 11 times on their travels so far.

Christian Fuchs is our preferred Leicester defender for the visit of Southampton. The Foxes have conceded in just one of their last seven at the King Power and their left-back’s penchant for picking up bonus points has seen him average 4.7 points per appearance so far.

Chelsea’s trip to a doomed Villa outfit brings Branislav Ivanovic into our back-four. The Blues have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six away matches and the Serbian’s two goals and three assists since the departure of Jose Mourinho makes him the best bet for points at both ends of the pitch.

West Ham’s home match with Palace affords Dimitri Payet the platform to maintain his recent form. Having bagged points in four of the last five, the Frenchman notched a trademark free-kick over the international period and faces a defence without a clean sheet in their last 11 outings.

Mesut Ozil remains our Arsenal midfielder of choice as Watford make their way to the Emirates. Whilst Alexis Sanchez has hinted at a return to form, the German’s consistency is enough to earn the nod as Arsene Wenger’s men desperately try to keep their title bid alive against a defence with two shut-outs on their travels all season.

Whilst Jamie Vardy has struggled for form with a single goal in seven, Riyad Mahrez has stepped up in recent weeks. Having bagged the winner in two of Leicester’s last three matches, the Algerian looks the man most likely to take advantage of a Southampton defence without a clean sheet in their last five league outings.

Marko Arnautovic’s home comforts could come to fruition once again as Stoke play host to Swansea. The Austrian has netted seven of his last eight at the Britannia and faces a defence with just one away clean sheet to their name all season.

Up top, we’re keeping faith in Harry Kane for Tottenham’s trip to Liverpool. With five goals and an assist in his last four, the England international has been head and shoulders above any other striker in recent matches and he’ll fancy his chances against an unconvincing Reds rearguard with just two clean sheets in ten.

A trip to Bournemouth boosts Sergio Aguero’s chances of recovering from a run of four blanks in his last five appearances. The Argentine is level with Kane for efforts inside the box in his last four appearances, which bodes well when he faces a backline that’s conceded at least twice in three of their last four home fixtures.

Norwich’s Timm Klose makes the bench at home to a Newcastle side that have scored seven times on their travels all season. Priced at 4.2, the winter signing has served up two clean sheets and five bonus points in the last couple of Gameweeks.

With concerns still surrounding Roberto Firmino’s fitness, we turn to Philippe Coutinho for Liverpool’s home clash with Tottenham. The former Inter man has produced a goal and three assists in his last two league starts and has averaged 5.3 points per appearance so far – more than any team-mate.

Jermain Defoe looks to score for the third successive league appearance as Sunderland welcome West Brom to Wearside. With 12 goals to his name already this season, the veteran’s contribution looks vital if Big Sam’s side are to stave off the threat of relegation.

The Community Champions

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.

In addition to a shot at the £100 Amazon prize, FantasyBet are offering a chance for further prizes to Community Champions that are eligible to play their games. More details can be found here.

Red Devil leads the way after beating the Picks by 25 points in Gameweek 17.

Gameweek 31’s Community Champion Gawa 11 beat the Scout Picks by 74 points to 70.

The Gameweek 32 Community Champion is Van Dear Vaart. His selection is as follows: Courtois, Daniels, Azpilicueta, Fuchs, Sanchez, Sigurdsson, Arnautovic, Payet, Welbeck, Kane, Defoe.

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

  1. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    One week GK "punt" - Courtois or Adrian? Vote please! 🙂

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      C

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Courtois

    3. SGTMacaroni
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Same dilemma, think im going for Adrian

    4. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Courtois. Probably makes 0 saves but gets you a CS.

    5. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Adrian

  2. Jay_
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Good to go lads?

      ------------Darlow------------
      ---Bellerin Otamendi Sakho
      Lanzini Ozil Sanchez Payet
      ---Lukaku Aguero(c) Martial
      --------------------------------------
      Robles Bolasie Dann Jagielka

      WC 3.2 itb

      Gw33: Save ft (Bolasie, Dann, Robles, Jagielka, Lukaku TC, 5 doublers)
      Gw34: Dann Bolasie > Smalling Firmino (15 man BB)
      Gw35: Smalling Martial > PVA Sturridge -4 ( 10 men but 9 doublers for 37 in squad)

      1. Slam
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        I am sitting here with 3.0 less than you and you're still going with the Darlow/Robles GK combination? 😆
        I like it a lot btw, you got nailed on players which is always good. Reasoning behind the captain choice?

        1. Jay_
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Cheap as chips mate allows big hitters all around, to be honest captaincy is out of fear of him doing a 'Bellerin' on me again (coming good the one week I lose faith) I feel he owes me

            1. Slam
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Interesting, I was thinking you had insider Hammer information about Payet or something 😀

        2. le flem
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          sure

        3. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          What did I tell you about posting your God damn team and me getting jealous of your God damn SV?

          😉 Just kidding. Good to go!

      2. Pirlø's Pen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        F Sake - DDG rising just before WC :(.

      3. Zizou
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        would you prefer
        1)sanchez and lallana
        or
        2)ozil and firminio/coutinho

      4. Slam
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks for the constructive criticism a few pages back.
        Who do you think has the most threat for rotation?

        A) Gabriel
        B) Clyne
        C) Rojo

        1. KingOllie
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Rojo caught smoking

        2. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Argh no idea.

        3. Clump
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          B in GW 34. Pool have Dortmund between DGW fixtures. Flanno will get a game.

      5. d1sable
        • Has Moderation Rights
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Would you play Martial or Coutinho this week?

        1. Davido989
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Looks like one of those where the one you bench scores more.

        2. Robben Mee Blind
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Coutinho loves the big games

          1. Robben Mee Blind
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Notice I didn't actually answer your question though 😉

      6. KingOllie
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Iv just read Rojo has been caught smoking in argentina... Lvg gonna drop him

        1. Slam
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          😮 Link

        2. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          It doesn't count abroad

        3. Robben Mee Blind
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          United career gone up in smoke!

      7. DaveZubie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        For one week only
        1) Alderweireld, Ali -> Azpilicueta, Willian
        2) Alderweireld, Siggy -> Ivanovic, Willian

        1. fiveyears
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Just Azpi for Alder, or Ivan instead if you can afford it.

          1. DaveZubie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            I can easily do Alder to Ivan but was looking to see if there was some attacking options from Chelsea I could use

            1. fiveyears
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Hiddink talked about 'experimentation' with the line-ups, and Willian was being assessed after international duty. I'd avoid the attack/midfield.

        2. DaveZubie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Can also do

          3) Alder, Ali -> Ivan, Arnautovic

      8. JogaSemmedo
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Anyone got Mitrovic in their WC team? I'm coming round to having him in, losing Kane frees up money to strengthen areas ie defence want a United double.

        Rafa is backing Mitrovic right? Plus they have plenty to play for and a decent run, he covers a gw35 spot too.

        1. le flem
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          best newcastle option imo, and good choice

        2. Cojiro
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          It's him or Don Ron for me atm

        3. JogaSemmedo
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers guys I'm going to go with it & with his ownership could be huge differential.

          Probably going to include Janmaat too for the attacking threat.

      9. NobleBlackman
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        What do you guys reckon to this? I'm a bit of a FF n00b so I used my WC's early and now I've gotta do some really selective choosing if I wanna maximise my DGW34 points.

        I'm aiming to reach a team like this:

        GK: Forster, Lloris
        Def: Rojo*, Fuchs, VVD, Wolly, Daniels
        Mid: Ozil, Payet, Firmino*, Alli, Lingard
        Att: Lukaku*, Rondon, Aguero

        *players I'll use FT's to bring in

        What do you think?

        1. 1966 was a great year for E…
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Don't be scared to take hits for a DGW. If I'd used my WC, I wouldn't think twice about a couple of -8s if necessary.

          1. NobleBlackman
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Truue, I'm just wondering if bringing in extra players will be worth the cost, especially with a lot having GW35 blanks

      10. Hardly Athletic
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        I've got 2 free transfers and 1.4m in the bank. What transfers should I make?

        Hennessey £4.1 - Butland £4.9

        Bellerín £6.0 - Daniels £4.8 - Simpson £4.1 - Williams £4.9 - Alderweireld
        £6.0

        Mahrez £6.6 - Arnautovic £6.5 - Özil £9.3 - Alli £5.8 - Payet £8.0

        Agüero £13.4 - Vardy £7.7 - Kane £10.2

        1. St. Joseph
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Just for one week?

          Butland --> courtois
          Alli/arnie --> willian

        2. fiveyears
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Daniels out for PVA

      11. Worzel Gummidge
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Barkley play all 4 games in DDGW? It is between him or Lennon.

          1. le flem
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            maybe not all 4, but more minutes than lennon

        • John Nerdelbaum
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          any thoughts on my predicament

          1 free to waste before WC.

          Already bringing in Payet with 0.8m in the kitty so..

          a) Silva > Fab
          b) Forster > Courtois
          c) Toby > Ivan
          d) Too much potential for it to blow up in my face so not bother

          Forster / McC
          Bellerin Wolly Simpson (Toby Williams)
          Payet Ozil Mahrez Silva (Alli)
          Kun Kane Vardy

          1. le flem
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            c

          2. DaveZubie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            A) I'd punt on Fab

        • Hairy Potter
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Can't decide whether benching Coutinho this week and playing Alli is the right decision.

        • il Brutto
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Who's the best mid punt for this week?

          Currently have Özil, Mahrez, Alli, Siggy

          1. John Nerdelbaum
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            payet shirley

          2. 1966 was a great year for E…
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Probably Arnie. He's depressingly unpunty, though.

          3. IL LUCE
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Cesc / Willian ?

          4. 1966 was a great year for E…
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Sorry, Payet. Defintely Payet.

        • Kent girl
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Hello,

          I'm a proper rookie at this and need as much help as I can pretty please 🙂

          My current team:

          Butland / Hennessey
          Daniels / Sagna / Toby / Huth / Targett
          Ozil / Mahrez / Alli / Barkley / Yaya
          Kane / Vardy / Aguero

          I've still got my TC BB and AOA as well as my WC. Current dilemma is when to WC either this week or next week? I've got 2FT currently so can change Butland and Yaya for Adrian and Payet and then WC next week for use of BB in DGW. Or WC this week to use a TC on Lukaku next week and then BB on DGW?

          So confused so any tips would be great 🙂

          Thank you

          1. Cheeseoid
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            To be honest I think eitehr strategy is perfectly legitimate. Personally I am taking the WC this week approach as I think the Lukaku TC should offer the better TC option. But TCing in 37 could easily work out as well

          2. the axolotl
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            your first idea is the way to go imo

          3. VS10_
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Do the transfers and WC next week.

          4. le flem
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            barkley to payet, toby to ivan, wc next week

          5. St. Joseph
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Do the 2 FT.
            33 Wildcard
            34 BB
            37 TC

            Forget lukaku TC33, just (c) him

            1. Kent girl
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Thank you all 🙂

        • Fergietime
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          So whats the latest, are most WC in 33?

          1. VS10_
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            yep

        • Cojiro
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Best Man U, City and Liverpool defensive trio for WC? (1GK, 2 Def).
          Mig, Sakho, Hart, Otemendi, DDG, Rojo/CBJ are my considerations so far

        • Nelson Vivas Fan Club
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Would really appreciate a graphic of the scout's pick on the mobile version. Either on the top or the bottom of the article

          1. Robben Mee Blind
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Can get one by clicking on the last of the 4 green icon tabs on homepage (got a 'tactics' pic on it)

            1. Nelson Vivas Fan Club
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Alrite! There it is! Thanks mate 🙂

              1. Robben Mee Blind
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 11 months ago

                No problem. The season ticker and watchlist are there too, in case you didn't spot them

        • Flynny
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Can u help me out with this.

          70 points behind my 5 rivals

          Only I have all the main chips

          All have Kun

          Only 2 have payet

          So who do I captain?

          Kun

          Payet?

          Thanks

          1. Sid07
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Payet

          2. Cojiro
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Try to ignore your rivals teams and focus on yours. Go for who you think will score the most points 😉
            (You'll do 'em on the WC)

            1. Flynny
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Been thinking payet all week....

              Don't want to be stung by a Kun haul...

        • Sid07
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Playing AoA...
          Who to play with bellerin
          1) vvd
          2) Simpson
          3) williams
          4)alder

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            2 maybe

            1. Sid07
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Should I play aoa with
              Payet ozil alli mahrez arnie being my mids

          2. fiveyears
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            I am playing AOA with similar defenders. Benching Alder, Williams and Daniels - playing Simpson and Gabriel.

        • Richd
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          RMT have Daniels v Man City ahead of Williams v Stoke.. am I missing something?

          1. Slam
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Yes, it's RMT...

          2. Clump
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Daniels on pens. Check out the ref, loves giving pens 🙂

          3. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Daniels is 3rd highest defender with attacking threat vs a team who struggle away.

        • Garfield1001
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Which is better for this week only:

          1) Alder --> Ivanovic
          2) Silva --> Ozil

          Thanks!

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            1

          2. Sid07
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            2

        • RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Vardy or Welbeck this week?

          1. Gooner97
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Welbeck

            1. Sharpe Shuffle
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              I'm keeping hold of Vardy for one more week after his goals for England but probably wouldn't get him in if I didn't already own

        • IL LUCE
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Does anybody know if the captain sensible article will be posted soon?

          1. andy85wsm
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Not unless Jonty/Mark are around which I assume not.

            Should be tonight but not sure on times I'm afraid

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              9.30 or 10 sounds about right.

        • Nelson Vivas Fan Club
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          What do you think about giving the armband to Ivanovic this week?

          Currently I'm on Sanchez, but now I'm starting to play with this idea

        • matiakez
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Wickham & Sissoko or Bolasie & Mitrovic

          1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            the latter

        • zee303
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Who to bench?

          Arnautovic or Sigurdsson

          Williams or Wollscheid

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Williams for sure

          2. Cowboy John
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Swansea players.

            1. Sharpe Shuffle
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Can see points for Siggy with Butland & Shawcross missing

        • FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Those who aren't BB in GW34 who's your only keeper in GW34?

        • Wolverine
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Would u switch out traore who I got in view of the villa game for fabregas on a free if you have no other pressing transfers?

          1. the axolotl
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            i think i would actually. was planning on bringing in traore myself but seems he only got back from africa today or maybe yesterday. wasn't mentioned in the scouts international mins article for some reason, don't know was he playing?

            1. Wolverine
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Yh I think coming back late makes him very doubtful especially considering remy started last week too. Thanks for your reply on a bottomed post lol