Scout Picks
4 April 2017 1075 comments
J0E J0E
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Gameweek immediately follows Gameweek, so we’re diving straight into the Scout Picks to reveal those who have earned a place ahead of this evening’s 6.45pm deadline.

With some enticing cut-price options in our 84 million-budgeted XI, we have spare cash to splash on a return for Burnley’s Tom Heaton, who is now priced at 5.1, from an initial 4.5 valuation.

FPL’s top scoring goalkeeper, who has five double-digit hauls this campaign, takes on a lacklustre Stoke side that seem comfortable to see the season out in their mid-table comfort zone. Given that Mark Hughes’ charges have scored just four times in their last six, we are confident that the 19.4% owned England stopper will earn a sixth Turf Moor clean sheet.

Gareth McAuley (5.3) is a player that can be rarely ignored as a goal threat, given that he has scored six times this season – more than any other defender.

West Brom take a trip to Watford, a side that has conceded 10 headed goals, one fewer than the Premier League’s worst two sides in the air, Bournemouth and Sunderland.

The home team have also handed opponents 10 goals from corners, an unfortunate tally that only Hull can beat.

Hornets boss Walter Mazzarri has highlighted the Baggies’ potent set-piece threat – the visitors have scored 19 from corners and free kicks this season – as a key concern ahead of tonight’s encounter.

The 32.8%-owned Northern Irishman’s ability to annoy opposition defences from corner kicks, in particular, offers him a good chance to add to his impressive goal tally in this clash.

Like Stoke, Sunderland have also managed to find the net on four occasions in their last six, which hands a place to Leicester’s Christian Fuchs (5.2) when the Black Cats drop by the King Power Stadium. The Austrian’s goal, assist and clean sheet in his last four showcases the breadth of points potential he offers.

Completing our backline trio is Ben Davies (4.8), who looks set to continue deputising for the injured Danny Rose ahead of Spurs’ trip to Swansea City. The hosts have managed a mere four goals in as many matches, while the former Swan has created five chances over the same period, more than any other Spurs defender.

Just one shot and penalty box touch by Alexis Sanchez (11.6) while shackled to Arsenal’s left wing against Manchester City at the weekend is a worry, particularly as the Chilean is set to once again be denied central striker duties when West Ham drop by tomorrow.

Nevertheless, we think the 27.5%-owned midfielder will fare better against the Hammers, a team he scored a hat-trick against in Arsenal’s 5-1 rout at the London Stadium earlier this season.

To further boost our confidence in the Gunners’ top scorer, we note that he has delivered attacking returns in all but two of his last ten matches.

Among Mauricio Pochettino’s charges Dele Alli (9.0) looks the keenest to ensure Spurs continue scoring in the absence of their talisman, the injured Harry Kane.

The 31%-owned English midfielder, who with 14 goals is the league’s top scoring midfielder, looks to have secured spot-kick duties in his team mate’s absence. His three goals and two assists in his last four also show that the form guide favours him.

While Paul Clement’s troops might have kept a home clean sheet against Middlesbrough at the weekend, this encounter will be different, considering Spurs have scored 22 times in their 14 road trips.

It has taken Philippe Coutinho (8.3) a while to get going following his long injury lay-off, but last weekend’s Merseyside derby showed what a vital Fantasy asset he can be.

His goal, assist and maximum bonus point return against Everton at Anfield gave him his first double-digit FPL points haul since Gameweek 11. Next up for the Brazilian is a visit from Bournemouth, a side that has shipped 31 goals on the road, the third-worst behind Hull and Swansea.

Given his form and that fixture, it is no surprise to see him drafted in by more than 180,000 FPL managers since Saturday.

Our final midfield place goes to Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (5.7), who visits Southampton in fine away day form, having scored and assisted during the Eagles’ 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

In addition, all but one of the Ivory Coast international’s six strikes, and five of his eight assists, have come on the road. More than 116,000 FPL managers have taken note and drafted him in since his Gameweek 30 heroics.

Given Claude Puel’s troops have conceded 10 goals in their last six, this looks set to be another profitable outing for the winger.

The Scout Picks welcomes back Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.4) following a three-match domestic ban that saw him miss the last two Gameweeks.

With 50% goal involvement and 15 successful strikes in the league, he is integral to the Red Devils’ attack and should be eager to get back to scoring ways against a patched-up Everton defence shorn of Ramiro Funes Mori and Seamus Coleman.

This makeshift backline conceded three times against Liverpool at the weekend and could struggle to contain the 27.3%-owned Swede, who scored against the visitors in a 1-1 league draw at Goodison Park in December.

Four goals in as many matches makes Jamie Vardy (10.0) a shoo-in as Leicester welcome a Sunderland outfit that has lost all but one of their last six away fixtures, conceding 12 times in the process.

The Foxes’ striker, who has been acquired by more than 116,000 new FPL managers this week, scored three goals in his side’s two league encounters with the Black Cats last season.

Sadio Mane’s injury hands Divock Origi (6.1) a chance to impress in the Liverpool frontline when Bournemouth visit. With attacking returns in three of his last four, all from the bench, he should be eager to show Jurgen Klopp what he can achieve if handed more pitch-time. His 4.2% ownership also makes him a strong differential for those keen to climb their mini-leagues.

With just one goal in their last six road trips, Middlesbrough are a gift for home defences, which hands Hull’s Andy Robertson (4.4) a spot on our bench ahead of the Teesiders’ trip to the KCOM Stadium.

His goal at the weekend against West Ham and an impressive 22 crosses in the last four Gameweeks – a tally only bettered by Hammers’ full-back Aaron Cresswell – means he also offers another route to points should Steve Agnew’s troops manage to tear up the form book and breach the Tigers’ backline.

We’ve turned to another Hull option that impressed in Gameweek 30 for our bench, with Kamil Grosicki (5.5) earning a spot after his two assists at the weekend brought his total to four since joining in the January transfer window. With 13 goal attempts in his last five, his underlying statistics suggest it will not be long before he scores his first league goal for his club.

Our final substitute position goes to West Ham’s Andy Carroll (6.3), who collides with an Arsenal defence that he has scored four times against in their last two league encounters. His hat-trick last season against the Gunners will bring back bad memories for Gabriel, who played that day and, due to injuries, is once again set to face the 5%-owned Geordie.

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.

Last Gameweek’s champion GWitbrock was beaten 47-38 by the Scouts.

The Gameweek 31 champion is Jay, who has opted for a 3-4-3 line up of: Jakupovic; Fuchs, Maguire, Robertson; Sanchez, Mahrez, Chadli, Firmino; Vardy, Ibrahimovic, Origi.

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

  1. brianj
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Coutinho for captain

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Better options out there imo

  2. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg? On my WC, 1.1itb for a rainy day:

    Valdes
    Walker, Valencia, benalouane
    Sanchez(c), Alli, Eriksen, Zaha, Ndidi
    Ibra, Carroll

    Pickford, Lukaku, Bertrand, Stones

    Benching Lukaku is risky, but I want to do something different to try and get a bit of an advantage.

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I would play Bertrand and Lukaku over Carroll and Ndidi imo

    2. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Good to go.

      Not tempted by Vardy to Lukaku punt for next week?

  3. A Betting Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with Mane? He's a gonner isn't he? I'm just not feeling Coutinho, he's never ever done anything for me and has too many 2 point games IMO. Would also quite like to generate some spare funds for future moves (eg Barnes).

    Team:

    Heaton / Robinson
    Alonso / Walker / Valencia / McAuley / Mawson
    Sanchez / Mane* / Alli / Sig / Carroll
    Lukaku / Vardy / Barnes

    £0.2m ITB, 1 FT

    Also want to do Alonso/McAuley > Gibson, thoughts on which / when I should do it?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mane > eriksen this week, alonso > gibson next week

      1. A Betting Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Already have Alli though. I went from having both Alli & Eriksen about 6 weeks ago, to having neither of them, feel I can't go back to having both lol.

        I'm not sure why but I'm thinking differential for possibly the first time this season. Fabregas, Tadic, Mahrez?

  4. smix
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    GTG ?

    Grant
    Walker Valencia Robertson
    Sanchez(c) Alli Cout Siggy
    Vardy Lukaku Origi
    Pickford King Mawson Amat

  5. tomietucker
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know the latest on llorente?
    Should i shift for a hit

  6. Scratch
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which 1 to start from
    De Roon
    Llorente
    Mawson

  7. Catsandhats
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Llorente > Origi worth it for free?

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

      For free, yes.

    2. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 month ago

        If he plays.

      • FCSB
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        helllll yeaaaahhhh

    3. Lizard Lips
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Heaton
      Alonso Valencia Daniels
      Erisken Coutinho Siggy MANE
      Aguero LLORENTE Lukaku
      (Pickford Fletcher MORI FRIEND)
      £0.3 ITB 1FT (NB: Injured players in caps)

      A. Alonso & Mane --> Bernardo (mid) & Sanchez (c) -4
      B. Mane & Llorente --> Alli (c) & Origi -4
      C. Alonso, Mane, Llorente --> Davies, Sanchez (c) and Origi -8

    4. Viper
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Any more news on Defoe?

      Worth doing Defoe - > Ibra (-4) either way?.

      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, was just gonna ask the same thing.

    5. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 month ago

        McAuley in the picks seems optimistic.
        Attacking threat perhaps, but before saturday WBA hadn't kept an away clean sheet since GW1. Watford have scored in all but 2 home games.

        1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Thought this myself, can't see them keeping a CS. Starting Alonso over Brunt.

          1. MTPockets
              9 years, 1 month ago

              So am I (McAuley - like last week...)

              1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Watford attack more reliable at home than Ibraless United.
                Here's hoping for a Matic return.

        2. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Good to see that the Arsenal bib theory is back.

          No idea why they don't play Sanchez as a #10 so he can go where he likes, and stick other, worse players out on the wing. It's not like Ozil has done anything recently.

          1. Pinky Blinders
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Totally agree. Ozil has been such a disappointment this season. Doesn't seem like his heart is in it at all.

        3. Ibracadebruyne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Alli - Sanchez - Coutinho - 9.7 - Zaha

          Wich 4'th mid u prefer here?
          Cheers!

          1. Emp
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Sane/ son

          2. Karan_G14
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Eriksen

            1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              This

        4. Orion
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Should I double up with WBA defense? Or just no...

          1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            No.

        5. Karan_G14
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Who scores more points in the next 4?

          A) Walker, Valencia & Carroll (ars, SWA, sun, EVE)

          B) Vertonghen, Bailly & Sane (che, HUL, sot, MUN)

          Appreciate your thoughts!

          1. Ibracadebruyne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            A

          2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            A

        6. Whats the Mata?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Get rid of DeRoon or King for Sanchez?
          Playing 352 with Origi as the 3rd striker

          1. Ballistics
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            King

        7. Ballistics
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          1 FT

          Lukaku to Ibra
          King to Walcott
          Siggy to Coutinho

          1. Emp
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Save

          2. the snazzy viking
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            save FT

        8. AF90
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Play King or McCauley?

          1. FCSB
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Culkin

        9. FPL Bielsa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Not been able to follow the chat today and concerned I may not have 11 if following all don't play

          Valencia
          King
          Llorente

          How likely is it that all miss out and should I do King to Zaha for a hit ?

        10. AC Pilkington
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Choose one...

          A) Play Lanzini

          B) Llorente --> Origi (-4) play him

          1. Emp
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            A for sure

        11. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          WC team

          Heaton
          Vertonghen/ Valencia / Gibson
          Alli / Coutinho / Sane / Sanchez(C) / Eriksen
          Vardy / Origi

          (Valdes / Lukaku / Stephens/ Stones)

          0.4m itb, will store frees in case of a need for Ibra/Kane

          Thoughts? (thank you for all the help I have received thus far).

        12. New Post
        13. F4L
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Will Valencia start? Yes or no

        14. Tshelby
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Anyone one the Kun (c) boat?

        15. Gr3g
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Has anybody got some link to possible DGWs?
          Thank you in advance! 🙂

        16. mustafa mohamed
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          bench siggy or markovic?

        17. PepSala
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          G2G?

          Heaton
          McAuley Valencia Walker
          Sanchez(c) Alli Siggy Hazard
          Lukaku Carrol Origi

          (Mannone, King, Alonso, Amat)

          1. Jumping Jurgen
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Looks good

        18. Old Wulfrunian
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Gtg or should i change something?

          Jacu
          Vertonghen Yoshida Valencia SWard
          Eriksen Coutinho Siggy Alli
          Costa Barnes

          Pickford Brunt Lukaku Mane
          1ft 0.4 itb

          Thanks

        19. mash
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Was already twitchy, having decided to go without Sanchez, but the Valencia and King doubts have made it worse! Anything worth a hit here?

          Grant
          Alonso Walker Valencia
          Alli Sigurdsson Lanzini King
          Aguero Costa Lukaku

          Pickford McAuley T.Carroll Amat

          0FT, £1.2m in the bank.

          Have exact funds to do Lukaku to Ibra, does that seem worth it for a - 4? And should I start McAuley ahead of someone?

        20. Jumping Jurgen
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          A) Mane - Coutinho
          B) Mane - Alli
          C) Mane/Deeney - Sanchez/Barnes -4

          Cheers

        21. ONE PUNCH MAN
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          tempted by A.Carroll captain, but fear of Sanchez.
          Ospina may not play and Koscielny absence ,just perfect for Carroll as captain.
          Help please!!
          Currently on Sanchez

          1. Jumping Jurgen
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Would be a good differential as most seem to be on Sanchez - how are you doing in your ML?