Scout Picks
21 April 2017 2030 comments
J0E J0E
Share:

The midweek Scout Squad article revealed our unease at overloading on assets from the three double Gameweek teams, amid concerns around rotation, lack of form and, in certain cases, testing fixtures to follow.

With that in mind, we can now reveal just how many Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough players survived the cut to clinch Scout Picks place.

Save, bonus and clean sheet points can make goalkeepers a lucrative source of profit in a double Gameweek. This has seen us turn to Crystal Palace’s Wayne Hennessey (4.3), who should be kept busy away to Liverpool and at home to Spurs. Over his last four, the Welshman earned five save points and takes on a pair of attacking sides that have fired off 140 goal attempts between them over the same time frame.

A pair of double Gameweek defenders make our backline trio, with Ben Gibson (5.0) earning a spot due to security of starts for a Middlesbrough side that travels to Bournemouth before hosting Sunderland.

While we believe Boro are likely to concede against the Cherries, we have pinpointed the Black Cats encounter as key for the centre-back – the Wearsiders’ two goals against West Ham last weekend were their first in the league since Gameweek 24. With six sets of bonus returns, the 11.2%-owned Gibson also offers a further route to a return.

Eric Bailly (5.4) is our Manchester United defender of choice.

Injuries to fellow centre-backs Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo mean that Jose Mourinho can ill-afford to rest the Ivorian. A total of 13 bonus points is more than any of his defensive team-mates, with clean sheets a very real possibility away to Burnley and Manchester City, considering the Red Devils have conceded just three times over their last six.

Goal threat and shut-out potential finds Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (6.8) completing our rearguard selection. Back in training after recovering from illness, the top-scoring FPL defender has already racked up five goals and four assists ahead of Southampton’s midweek visit.

Just one double Gameweek pick, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (6.0), makes the cut among our midfield picks.

Five double-digit FPL points hauls this season look too good to ignore against a leaky Liverpool defence that has conceded in all but one of their last six at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp’s also nursing some injury concerns. Spurs may just offer up further returns when they visit Selhurst Park, given that they have conceded five in their last six away days.

As mentioned, we believe that Bournemouth will breach the Boro backline, which has seen us opt for Cherries midfielder Josh King (6.0), who has five goals and an assist over his last six Gameweeks.

With money saved by nominating this cut-price pair, we have enough within our budget to splash out on FPL’s two most expensive midfielders Alexis Sanchez (11.5) and Eden Hazard (10.4).

Of this premium priced duo, the Chelsea schemer has the edge in terms of form over his last six starts, with four goals and an assist compared with Sanchez’ two strikes.

Both are set to host sides that have struggled for defensive returns on the road.

Hazard’s visitors Southampton have conceded five times in their last three outside of St Mary’s, while Sanchez – back in the goals at Middlesbrough on Monday – hosts a Leicester City side that have conceded at least twice in five of their last six away fixtures.

Similar to midfield, we’ve only opted for one double Gameweek asset up front.

Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have made the cut but, after succumbing to injury in last night’s Europa League game, we have instead turned to the man who sits second in our newly-launched Captain Poll – Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo (6.2).

The Spaniard has netted in each of his last two starts and offers a promising pair of matches, with the Cherries and Black Cats shipping a combined 21 goals over their last six.

With 93,000+ transfers in this week, Negredo’s ownership has soared to 13% and his kind price tag means we can fit in two premium-priced single-Gameweek strikers who are battling it out for this season’s Golden Boot.

Romelu Lukaku (10.5) looks primed to add to his 24 goals when he drops by the London Stadium to take on a West Ham defence that has shipped 13 in their last six.

The Everton forward’s record in head-to-heads with the Hammers is also difficult to ignore – he’s scored in each of his nine Everton appearances against West Ham.

Spurs’ Harry Kane (11.5) also earns a call-up as he travels to Crystal Palace in midweek – over their last four, no side has conceded more shots in the box than the Eagles’ 48.

Even though the Spurs talisman has failed to score in his last three road trips in the league, he has produced double figures in each of his last three starts and, fully motivated by the title and Golden Boot race, Kane presents a convincing case.

Two goals in as many appearances, plus a home tie with a Watford side that has shipped eight in their last four away trips, ensures that Hull City’s Harry Maguire (4.4) earns a place on our bench.

We have also handed a substitute’s role to Scout Picks regular Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.5), who has failed to deliver attacking returns over his last five.

With the Swans mired in the relegation zone, two points from safety, we are backing the Icelander to secure a much-needed win when Stoke City drop by. Over their last four road trips, Mark Hughes’ charges have shipped eight goals without reply, arguably making Saturday’s match a nervous watch for the 63,000+ FPL bosses who have shown Sigurdsson the door only this week.

Marcus Rashford (6.5), this week’s most popular player in the transfer market, with 172,000+ new FPL owners, completes our bench.

A surge in popularity follows a heightened security of starts due to Ibrahimovic’s injury. With two goals in as many league matches and the winning strike against Anderlecht last night, the 19-year-old offers far more than mere appearance points. A slight question mark over his pitch time against Burnley – given he played 120 minutes on Thursday night – has prevented us from adding him to our first XI.

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.

This week’s champion A Manager Has No Name has opted for a 3-4-3 formation of: Jakupovic; Gibson, Blind, Bailly; Hazard, Eriksen, Coutinho, Ozil; Negredo, Lukaku, Benteke.

2,030 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nanoelektronicar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Play Valencia or Alonso?

    1. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Valencia for me

    2. Bayas'ed
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Exact same question here!

  2. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    For 2 weeks only. Which 2 would you choose?

    Barnes Kun ➡ (a) Rashford (b) Benteke (c) Negredo (d) Kane

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      c and d

    2. MTPockets
      9 years, 3 months ago

      c,d

  3. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions with 1FT & 0.2m itb?

    Valdes*
    Baily / Barragan / Davies
    Alli / Zaha / Coutinho / Hazard
    Ibra* / Kane / Lukaku
    (Pickford / King / Jagielka / Yoshida)

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Yoshida to Chambers.

  4. Daviek212
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you start?

    A) Valencia
    B) King

    1. IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveA…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      a

    2. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      b. King will score. Valencia may only start against Man City.

    3. Robson-Canoe
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A

    5. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Both. What are the other options?

      1. Daviek212
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Bailly, Alonso, Gibson, Alli, Sanchez, Zaha

        1. Golden Soccer Ducks
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          You've already got United covered in Bailly. Personally I would probably go King.

  5. umerlfc
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Benteke not in the scout picks is a surprise

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He is in the team picture.

      Scouts hedging their bets.

    2. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Think there is too much of an obsession with Lukaku stats against West Ham. Lukaku only scored twice in 8 away games

    3. Tiote on Peyote
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He is.

      1. umerlfc
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Lol he's showing in the picks but no Kaku there
        But Kaku is mentioned in the article and Tekkers isn't wow

  6. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    If my captain is a DGW player but only plays one game, do I get my vice-captain points for the second game?

    1. 32chickens
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Cmon you ain't no casual

      1. 32chickens
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        A GW minute on the pitch makes the captain

      2. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😉

    2. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Virgin?

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I'm on here aren't I.....

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

          A fair point. 😀

    3. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Lol no.

    4. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      This is a question that only FPL Virgin can answer

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

        Bolloxxx

        Just seen EF beat me to it

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Drughi was right

  7. Robson-Canoe
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Who to bench?
    A) Son (cry)
    B) Alli (cry)
    C) Agüero (MUN)

    1. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Son

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

    Jakupovic
    Bailly - Gibson - Chambers
    Sanchez - Coutinho - Zaha - Eriksen - Hazard
    Lukaku - Ibra (C)

    Pickford, Davies, Barnes, Stephens

    Who should I bring ik for Ibra? Kane or Rash?

    1. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I would say Kane. Better longer-term, and also no rotation risk.

  9. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Pickford
    Gibson Valencia Alonso
    Sanchez Alli king siggy
    Costa Lukaku Benteke
    1.2 in the bank 1 FT
    Subs:
    Heaton Snoddy Brunt Ake

    A) save transfer(wcing gw36)
    B) brunt to Bailly (who do I bench)
    C) Heaton to DDG (bench Pickford)
    D) Costa to Kane/Negredo/rashford(which one)
    E) Snoddy to Zaha(who do I bench though!)
    Apologies for the repost.. I just struggle removing fit players vs ok opponents no matter the reason (Dgw!) And need a push

    1. NobleBlackman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Just save, don't think any of the moves you could make would move the needle that much unless you think Kane might score more than Costa

    2. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'd go Costa to Kane or Rashford.

    3. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      C

  10. Epic Fail
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    How did those community picks get past the censors 😀

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

      😆

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😀

  11. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Couple of questions guys

    Jaku Valdes
    Alonso Walker Valencia Evans Chambers
    Alli Cout Siggy King Fletcher
    Kane Kaku Ibra

    1 FT 1.9 ITB.

    a. Doing Ibra > Negredo(c). Would you also do Fletcher > Townsend for a -4?
    b. If yes, use AOA and play Valencia & Chambers?

    1. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Yes. Go for it. I like this a lot

  12. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Anybody else thinking of captaining de Gea?

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      264 United games without a goal puts me off

  13. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    With Ibra out for the rest of the season, anyone else planning to go with this front 3 from next week onwards?

    Kane Gabbi Rashford

    1. IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveA…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      probably from the week after. Seems like good value, id make room for aguero if Jesus would just do one

    2. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'm Wildcarding next week and I'm currently thinking-

      Kane, Jesus & Gabbi.

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yea so many good options, Jesus back is great as well. Just seems that there is no room for Lukaku anymore though

  14. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Why get Negredo? You'll want rid after this week so another transfer used. His fixtures are terrible, he's a bit crap too

    1. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Because he is playing 2 teams with the worst defences and has shown an upsurge in form. It is a golden gamble.

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Look at his fixtures after this week

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

          Bench him next week - easy.

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

      He was brilliant in his first 4 months at City

    3. MTPockets
      9 years, 3 months ago

      wc

    4. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Wildcard Wild Man

      1. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        rover * 😉

    5. Chucky
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      spot on and for those without a WC,better get a dgw 37 player.. I did Ibra to Costa..

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Are you all there ? Costa has no interest in Chelsea , is playing like a drain and Chelsea fans will be glad to see the back of him.

    6. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      You considering him?

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        He'll no

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Autocorrect is a bit polite

          1. KingNidge
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            🙂

    7. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A bit?

    8. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      WC next week.

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

      You are right Rover, but we all want instant pay off from our transfers. Negredo is playing 90mins both games, having penalties and two great fixtures. Next week sit om my bench..

    10. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Because I'm wildcarding next week 🙂

    11. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A bit crap - he's proper balls.

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

      Give up Wild Rover, no chance to stop this madness

  15. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    How does this look?
    Suggestions and views?

    Jaku(heaton).
    Alonso-bavies-maguire(pieters, holgate)
    Alli(VC)-hazard-firmino-siggy(tarroll)
    Lukaku-Kane(vc)-negredo

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

      You gotto have a captain!

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

        Apart from that, very balanced team..

  16. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Want to bring in Rashford but game time is a concern.

    1. 32chickens
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Grow some

      1. La Roja
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        weed

  17. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Is Sean Spicer now doing the Scout Picks?

  18. Shane86
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Siggy to Zaha for a hit?

    Siggy has a good fixture home to Stoke but then has Man Utd away

    Zaha has pool and spurs and then a good fixture home to Burnley

    wildcarding GW36 so only these fixtures matter

  19. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Oh FFS Cup opponent this week is another OR 3k'er.

    Battered one last week 😎

  20. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    No Mkhi love?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No room in midfield

  21. luisgarcia
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    ok guys its a tough one id really appreciate some advice

    play

    A. King
    B. Siggy

    Captain:

    1. Tekkers
    2. Kane
    3. Lukaku

    Thx all

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

      Play: King
      Cap: Kane or Tekkers imo...but not sure

    2. choppers13
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Same dilema

      Playing siggy. Captain undecided

  22. Olee
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Captain one:

    A: Kane
    B: Benteke
    C: Rashford
    D: Alli
    E: Sanchez

    Thanks 🙂

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

      C

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B

  23. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Take -4 for

    A) DDG
    B) Gibson

    Don't really want to bench any of my defenders... guys?

    Pick
    Alonso VALENCIA Maguire
    Alli Erik King ZAHA
    Kane Luk NEGREDO

    1. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'd go DDG

  24. NotsoSpursy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Have WC to play next week

    Who is best for this GW

    A. Rashford
    B.Negredo
    C. Kane

    Many thanks !! Sorry late on this

    1. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Personally I would go Kane

  25. Shaikh91
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    A or B
    A: Aoa
    B: - 4

    Jaku

    Alonso Valencia

    Siggy jwp Son pedro puncheon

    Lukaku aguero rashford

    Jaku

    Alonso Valencia Gibson

    Siggy son pedro puncheon

    Lukaku aguero kane

    1. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B

  26. HD7
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Lets make our own poll: You captain choice is... because... 🙂

    Mine is Tekkers currenty... have also Kane, Negredo, Zaha and Sanchez but chose him because he is in good form, DGW and better providers than Negredo.
    Your turn Managers 🙂

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Between Benteke/Lukaku
      Benteke because dgw decent form of late and Liverpool defence isn't great
      Lukaku because he's prem top scorer bang in form and playing West Ham defence which is truly awful

      1. Golden Soccer Ducks
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Zaha. I'm miles ahead in my Mini Leagues, so I can take a risk. I've also got Lukaku, Kane, Alli and Zaha

  27. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth bringing Lukaku in for Ibra?

    Current front line:

    Ibra, Kane, Benteke

    1. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I did that and Origi > Benteke for a -8

    3. Golden Soccer Ducks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      YESSSS

  28. bassline1234
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hi folks! ☺️

    Wildcard planned ready for GW37...

    Pickford - Cech

    Valencia - Alonso - Stones - Yoshida - Stephens

    Sanchez - Pedro - Sane - Alli - Son

    Kane - Rashford - Gabbiadini

    Anyone got any good ideas on how to get Hazard and Jesus in the side?

    Would do away with Sanchez but not really any other nailed on 2 game options for Arsenal cover, should I get rid of Sanchez anyway?

  29. oomzee
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Would appreciate some advice re starting de Roon or Siggy?

    DGW with minimal attacking output vs lack form with team needing a win. I'm currently on de Roon...

    1. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Me too.

      1. oomzee
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I figure if I sit and look at it for a while I might see sense, not happened yet though.

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

      Close call. If you want safety then pick De Roon. If you want volatility then pick Siggy.

      1. oomzee
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I need to make up ground so that may indeed sway it...

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

      I've just sold de Roon to play Siggy, he needs only one assist to (probably) outscore de Roon playing twice 🙂

      1. oomzee
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Fair point and interesting that you sold him. Definitely something to consider!