Scout Picks
3 March 2017 747 comments
J0E J0E
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After announcing those under consideration for the Scout Picks in yesterday’s Squad article, it’s now time to reveal our final 14-man line-up, as we brace ourselves for the first double Gameweek of the season.

As the only two teams set to play twice, Manchester City and Stoke City assets understandably dominate the selection.

Although City arguably offer stronger prospects for clean sheets, with a trip to Sunderland and a home tie with the Potters, the threat of rotation continues to loom large across Pep Guardiola’s rearguard.

As a result, we have turned to the security of Potters’ keeper Lee Grant (4.4), who takes on Middlesbrough at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, before next Wednesday’s Etihad clash.

The first of these ties is crucial to our hope of returns, given that the Teessiders have just one goal in their last six away matches. While with City scoring ten in their last two fixtures in all competitions, we will be relying on save points in Grant’s second tie; he has collected a point from saves in all but one of his last five Gameweeks.

Erik Pieters (4.6) is another Stoke player to offer a range of points potential, especially in the ‘Boro encounter. The Dutch defender has earned bonus points in three of his last four home ties, has two assists this season and collected clean sheet points on seven occasions. His budget price tag has also come in handy, allowing us to splash out on an expensive set of forwards and keep within our 84 million budget.

Our remaining two defender picks focus on single Gameweek assets that offer us home ties against fragile defences.

Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia (5.6), who has picked up either clean sheet or attacking returns in five of his last six league run outs, looks primed for points when Bournemouth drop by Old Trafford. The Cherries have conceded 30 goals away from the Vitality Stadium and last won a match in all competitions in December.

Despite being overshadowed by team-mate Gareth McAuley in recent weeks, we are sticking by West Brom’s Chris Brunt (5.1). McAuley has scored two goals in his last pair of fixtures, but Brunt is expected to retain a role on the Baggies’ right-flank, which promotes his potential to provide attacking points.

Given Manchester City’s strong recent goal scoring form, we have opted to treble up on their attacking assets. In midfield this means securing both in-form wide men – Raheem Sterling (7.9) and Leroy Sane (7.6).

Sterling tops City’s shots on target table over the last four Gameweeks and has scored six times in the league, however, it is arguably his assist potential that makes him an assured pick. He has assisted 11 times in the league and provided two more in City’s 5-1 FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town.

Leroy Sane has been drafted in by more than 53,000 FPL managers this week but is still only found in 2% of squads. His goal and two assists in his last four Gameweek starts, plus a strike against the Terriers on Wednesday, suggests that the German could just be the best double Gameweek differential on offer.

This pair face a Black Cats defence that has conceded more shots in the box than any other side over the last four run outs, while Stoke’s concession of four goals at Spurs last weekend offers further hope of strong returns in their second match-up.

Form and fixture align perfectly for Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.6) this weekend, ensuring that he earns a midfield berth ahead of Burnley’s visit. The 14.2% owned Icelander has delivered attacking returns in six of his last seven league starts, while the Clarets have just a solitary shut-out in 12 road trips.

With four clean sheets over the last six Gameweeks, Everton will provide Spurs with a far sterner test that Sunday’s victims Stoke City when they visit White Hart Lane. Nevertheless, with five double-digit hauls in his last seven home matches, we have faith that playmaker Christian Eriksen (8.7) will again prosper.

Our final double Gameweek asset in our starting XI will come as no surprise.

Sergio Aguero (12.8) has blasted four goals in his last two matches in all competitions and collides with the ‘Boro and Stoke defences in confident mood.

Despite only earning one start in City’s last four league matches, due to competition from the now sidelined Gabriel Jesus, Aguero has still registered an impressive 10 goal attempts in that spell, underlining his potential over these two forthcoming fixtures.

An overwhelmingly strong armband option, Aguero also offers a potential Triple Captain solution. It therefore seemed inevitable that he would win out in our latest Captain Poll and rank as the top transfer target ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.

Bournemouth’s defensive woes on their travels books Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s (11.5) place in the Picks, having delivered attacking returns in eight of his last 10 Gameweeks. The United talisman heads into Saturday’s contest having scored six goals in cup competitions since his last league outing.

Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini (6.7) claims our final slot in attack. He’s notched five goals in his three matches since joining Southampton in all competitions and will now test a Watford back-line that’s earned only one clean sheet in their last six league outings.

Joe Allen takes a bench role as arguably the best budget midfield double Gameweek option. The 11% owned Welshman’s 5.1 price tag could come in handy for those struggling to find the spare change for Aguero. With six goals and three assists in the league, this “enabler” also has the potential to offer added returns across Stoke’s two matches.

Swansea assets claim our final two bench places ahead of Burnley’s visit.

Just six goals on the road for Sean Dyche’s troops offers enticing shut-out potential for centre-back Alfie Mawson (4.6), whose two goals in his last four matches further add to his appeal.

Fernando Llorente (6.3) also gets a substitute’s role, having already found the net eight times this season. The Spaniard has been drafted in by more than 56,000 FPL managers since the weekend.

The Community Champion

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.

The current champion to beat is Boris Bodega, who achieved a 33 point margin of victory over us in Gameweek 15.

The Gameweek 25 champion is Holmes who has opted for a 4-5-1 line up of: Caballero; Martins Indi, M.Olsson, Bertrand, Walker; Hazard, De Bruyne, Mane, Silva, Arnautovic; Costa.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

747 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. pinkpanther
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Foster
    Brunt-Alonso-Pieters
    Firmino-Sigurdsson-Alli-Snodgrass-Sterling
    Aguero(C) -Lukaku

    Jakupovic-Carroll-Holebas-Coleman. G2G ?

    1. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good. Considering Aguero TC?

      1. pinkpanther
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yes possibly.

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Snodgrass may not play - warrant out for his arrest I believe. But you have a damn good squad if you got rid of Holebas for Mawson.

      1. pinkpanther
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Used Free transfers for Aguero and Sterlling this week. Any more would be for a -4.

  2. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Not been on here in a while. Always love to go for dgws but not sure on these moves:

    A. Eriksen > Sterling (-4)
    B. Erikesen & Mane > Sterling & Sane (-8)
    C. Stick

    Cheers!

    1. pinkpanther
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Ibracadabra
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      C if you like Eriksen/Mane long term as part of your squad makeup up until WC/DGW.

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A as Mane has a fixture in GW28 so would be folly to sell him now

    4. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers fellas

  3. L9
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    i ve already bought sane and kun.. would u ship alli t get sterling too? that is going to take me to - 8 (i am at -4 now). next gameweek i am changing sterling/sane to sigurdson

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      as below but a better player

      not Alli for me, I would retain with fixtures

  4. Hakuho FPL
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Play Morrison or King?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      King

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Could you give me your reasons for King please Rafa? I also have both

  5. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    final call

    already got sane and aguero

    snodgrass to Sterling for a hit?

    would basically leave me with 9 not 10 in 28 as well

    thanks!

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Snodgrass might be in jail for the game.

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        what the!??

      2. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Does that ever actually happen to footballers though? Adam Johnson aside...

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Probably not, but it should do.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No

    3. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't, WHU better fix after this week and no blank. You'll end up needing another hit to lose all those City players.

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        thanks

    4. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'd do it

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    How's she look people?

    TC yes/no?

    Heaton
    Alonso - Walker - Pieters(x2)
    Mane - Siggy - J. King - Phillips
    Kane - Kun(C)(x2) - Zlatan
    (Jaku - Coleman - Evans - Capoue)

    1. Coaly
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Good, yes

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      TC G2G.

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      TC - Yes. Otherwise great team.

  7. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Damn my lousy team value, 0.2 short of Sterling last night so ended up getting Sane instead.

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I got Sane (and could afford Sterling). Sane seems to get into more goalscoring positions (famous last words)

    2. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Might be a blessing, you never know.

  8. bobbysmith76
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone to triple captain Sterling?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        You will? Definitely thinking about it, but think he will start both?

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          No, not me, but someone will.

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 17 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Hahah

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Brave . Not insane by any means. Most touches inside the box of any city player. Always promising

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

      Me, not busting my team to get aguero so gone sane and sterling with sterling tc

  9. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Best GW28 sub 4.5MF out of

    King
    Carroll

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  10. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    % chance of Phillips playing?
    % chance of Friend playing?
    % chance of TC on Aguero being the best TC option for the season?

    1. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      10
      ?
      67

    2. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Medium, medium, high

      1. Back on the horse
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        that high? great. I might get a team out after all.

        oh btw... I specified percentages, godammit! 😡

        cheers, Stilicho

  11. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Rough with the Smooth this week is going to be Aguero (TC) - for either the right reasons or the wrong ones.

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Guess anything less than 10 points for Aguero constitutes a TC fail then

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I would want at least two goals and an assist from him and full appearance points = 15pts.

    2. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      what if he scores 1 goal and get 1 assist and 3 bonus over the 2 games?

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        See above

  12. KJT123
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Just seen Snoddy is in trouble for not attending a court trial. Risk for the game?

  13. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    The article doesn't actually say "warrant for his arrest" though, does it?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      The Crown requested a warrant which was granted by JP Eunice Paton.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I posted the quote above from the twitter linked article

    3. MTPockets
        9 years, 3 months ago

        That's what a warrant means in case of fail to appear.

    4. HazardAGuess
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Play Heaton or Foster? (I already have Brunt.)

      1. PvA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Heat

    5. We Will Klopp you
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Play King or Morrison and could you also state why if possible?

      1. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        King, oop and pens, higher ceiling despite the harder fix

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks, also gives me a reason to watch the 12:30 kick off 😉

          1. stilicho
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            That too!

    6. DrunkPhilosophy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Heaton
      Alonso Brunt Stones
      Mane Sane Siggy Phillips
      Aguero(TC) Lukaku Ibra
      Pickford Baines Robertson DeRoon
      Already on -8 but have a good feeling about this week!

      good to go?

      1. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Feeling good? You'll do awfully then. /s

    7. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Get rid of Alli or Eriksen?

      1. DR0GBA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Alli

    8. peco12
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      2ft 1.3m ITB

      Do I take a -4 to bring in Sane or Siggy? If so for who?
      Please help!

      Grant
      Alonzo, McAuley, Gibson
      Sterling, Ali, Lallana, Zaha
      Kun, Ibra, Defo

      (Pickford, Capoue, Friend,

      1. peco12
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry 0FT

    9. Plagued by indecision
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Season has basically fallen apart since Christmas. Am I ok for this week and set for recovery?

      Grant
      P. Jones / Yoshida / Alonso
      Mane / Sigurdsson / Allen / Pedro
      Ibrahimovic / Aguero (TC) / Rondon

      Subs: Heaton / Phillips / Friend / Holgate

    10. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      You just know someone is going to TC Grant this week

      1. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        From what I've been reading here & /r/fantasypl, looks like a few select people are.

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          They probaly reminded of Gomes saving 2 penalties in a DGW last season

          1. HazardAGuess
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            I'm new this season, but really? Bloody heck. Monstrous.

    11. FPL Emu
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      What's better?

      A) Baines (tot) and 4 points

      B) Mawson (BUR, hul)

      1. Ibracadabra
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        A.

      2. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Probably Baines. Chance of pens, even if he concedes a few. You're banking on at least a CS from Mawson, otherwise. Not unrealistic, but still.

    12. The Curse of Falcao
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Need some help with this one lads

      Foster Jaku
      Alonso Maguire McAuley Chambers Amat
      Eriksen Alli Firmino Mirallas Capoue
      Ibra Lukaku Costa

      1FT £0.1 ITB

      a)Costa,Alli,Firm > Aguero,Sterling,Lallana -8
      b)Costa,Alli,Firm > Aguero,Yaya,Siggy -8
      c)something else??

    13. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I hear there's a reward for the capture of Snodgrass.

    14. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Is a big hit (like -12) justifiable when you're expanding your group of DGW players, therefore increasing the chance of getting the right player that could possibly repay the big hit himself? With the assumption that at least a couple of players are going to get hauls, of course.

      1. Ibracadabra
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Too many factors for a simple reply, but this ignores the cost of transferring those players out as well as the potential points of those lost, for example Eriksen, who looks in excellent form but is being sacrificed for Sterling and -4 which is a bit of a risk in my opinion, but some like to take those risks for the potential gains.

        1. Pariße
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Indeed, a very good reply actually. This ignores the players sold, but if the ones sold have little potential (selling Koné, Capoue, benching Holebas, Carroll in my case) then the risk is much smaller.

    15. S.Agueroooooo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Whats the news on haz?

      1. Ibracadabra
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Knock in training. Game Monday night so should hopefully be fine with 2 extra days to recover.

      2. @fpl_phenom
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        kick in training, cant be that serious

    16. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Augsburg fan at the WWK dabbing after Hinteregger's goal, ffs 😆 Pure melt.

    17. Everyday im Schneiderlin
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone doing triple aguero captain for dgw ?
      Not sure if it seems mad
      but im chasing my league leaders none of them have aguero and modt have already used their TC chip

    18. ZakAFC_
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Phillips > Sane (-8)?

    19. Loker Joker
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks in advance! (: GTG??
      Heaton
      Alonso / Coleman / Pieters
      Mane / Siggy / Sterling (VC) / Silva
      Aguero (C) / Lukaku / Carroll

      (Pickford, Nyom, Clayton, Amat)

      Coleman/Alonso deserves a start ahead of Nyom??

      1. PURPLE-RONNIE
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yep similar to my team looks gtg

      2. @fpl_phenom
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        how many hits???

    20. PURPLE-RONNIE
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      GTG??

      Foster
      Alonso Coleman Pieters
      Siggy mane sterling Eriksen
      Carrol Aguero(TC) Ibra
      Subs:Philips Evans Maguire

      Should I start Philips or Evans over Carrol?

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        no Carroll at home and surely well rested so better chance of returns and more likely to start

        1. PURPLE-RONNIE
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers