Scout Picks
28 April 2017 950 comments
J0E J0E
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After listing the players under consideration in our midweek Scout Squad article, the time has come to reveal who has earned a coveted spot in the Gameweek 35 Scout Picks.

Claudio Bravo had been earmarked for a slot ahead of Manchester City’s trip to shot-shy Middlesbrough, who have scored just 14 times at the Riverside – the worst total of any Premier League side at home.

However, after the Chilean hobbled off with a possible season-ending injury in last night’s Manchester derby, we have turned to team-mate Willy Caballero (4.7), who is owned by a mere 0.8% of FPL managers.

Problems at Manchester United have also influenced our defensive decisions, with Timothy Fosu-Mensah also picking up a shoulder injury last night to further limit Jose Mourinho’s options.

This is likely to see Daley Blind (5.2) retained at the heart of defence for Swansea City’s visit this weekend. With two clean sheets over Gameweek 34 and bonuses in eight matches this season, the 4.5%-owned Dutchman looks primed for points against the Welshman who have scored just once in their last four road trips.

The inclusion of 0.6%-owned differential Martin Kelly (4.2) is also influened by misfortune. He looks certain to start, given injuries to fellow defenders James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho, as Crystal Palace welcome a Burnley attack that has scored just ten times away from home this season.

An own goal in Leicester City’s 1-0 midweek defeat to Arsenal will have dampened interest in Robert Huth (4.9), but we think he will bounce back for the trip to a West Brom outfit seemingly counting down the days to their summer holidays.

The Baggies have failed to score, while conceding four times, over their last quartet of matches, which presents points potential at both ends of the pitch for the 2%-owned German. Huth has two goals and an assist in his last seven since Craig Shakespeare took charge of the Foxes. He also loves to quieten a crowd – all six of his league goals for the Foxes have come away from home.

This week we have managed to construct an XI nearly four million below our 84m budget, thanks primarily to the inclusion of two budget-friendly attacking midfielders with favourable fixtures.

Bournemouth’s Josh King (6.1) offers exceptional value as he travels to Sunderland on the back of ten goals in his last 11 starts. He also earns a place given the Black Cats’ porous defence, which has conceded nine times over the last six matches.

King’s ownership has leapt to 16.1% on the back of his recent goalscoring heroics, with 47,000+ bringing him in this week.

Three goals in his last four home matches makes Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic (7.1) another attractive investment, particularly as he prepares for a visit from a West Ham side that has shipped ten in their last six.

With a mere 1.2% ownership, he looks a strong differential option for those looking to take a one-week punt ahead of a Gameweek 36 Wildcard.

That’s plenty of spare change accumulated, so we’re able to splash out on Chelsea schemer Eden Hazard (10.4), who has picked up double-digit FPL points hauls in four of his last nine starts, scoring six times and providing two assists over that period.

The 31.6%-owned Belgian will attempt to maintain this fine run of form against a resilient Everton defence that has only conceded 13 times at Goodison Park – a tally only bettered by Manchester United and Spurs.

Dele Alli (9.2) is another in-form midfielder we’re backing ahead of the North London derby at White Hart Lane. The 35.1% owned Spurs man is particularly prolific at home, scoring in four of his last five league run-outs in front of his own fans.

Arsenal’s concession of nine goals over their last six has prompted us to double up on Spurs assets and recruit the 17.2%-owned Harry Kane (11.6).

He is another to enjoy home comforts, with 15 of his 20 goals arriving on familiar turf. Kane’s taste for local bragging rights, scoring in the last four North London derbies, sweetens the deal further still.

The only player with a better home scoring record than the Spurs talisman is Everton’s Romelu Lukaku (10.5). His 16 successful strikes at Goodison Park hand him a place, particularly as visitors Chelsea have not kept a clean sheet since Gameweek 22.

Despite his good home form and Chelsea’s problems at the back, the Toffees marksman has been jettisoned by 56,000+ FPL managers this week.

Our three-man frontline is completed by Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini (6.4), who tops our Gameweek 35 captain poll ahead of Hull City’s visit to St Mary’s.

The Tigers have been abysmal on their travels, shipping 13 in their last four road trips and losing seven of their last eight away matches – the worst Premier League record of 2017.

The Italian marksman’s assist midweek against Chelsea could herald a return to his early form for Southampton, when he scored four in as many matches after joining in January. His finishing is deadly – those goals have come from just seven shots on target. Hull’s generous defence look ill-equipped to silence Gabbiadini.

With 59,000+ transfers, the Saints striker is the most popular acquisition in FPL’s transfer market this week.

Charlie Daniels’ (5.2) four goals and three assists this term, coupled with Sunderland’s meagre two-goal tally over their last nine, offers the prospect of returns at both ends and earns the Bournemouth left-back a bench spot.

Middlesbrough’s tendency to concede to top sides at the Riverside has ensured we find space among our substitutes for Manchester City’s Leroy Sane (7.6). The German winger has two goals in his last five, while Boro have shipped two against Arsenal and three to Manchester United in recent weeks.

Christian Benteke (7.4), who has been drafted in by 51,000+ FPL managers this week, is unlucky to only make the bench ahead of Burnley’s visit, given he has scored five goals in his last six and Sean Dyche’s troops have shipped 33 on their travels. On the downside, only three of his 14 league goals this season have come at Selhurst Park.

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, Kings of Lyon, has opted for a 3-4-3 line up of: De Gea; Valencia, Blind, Kompany; Townsend, Hazard, Firmino, Arnautovic; Jesus, Defoe, Gabbiadini.

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

950 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Coen bros.
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I've just used my WC, because there are a lot of very good picks for this GW and I can't pass by them 😎

    1. Red or Dead
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I considered the same but held off for one more GW as my side looks alright, I may regret it. Good luck

  2. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which one:

    A) Ozil, Eriksen, Costa (have alli no kane)
    B)Sanchez, Redmond, Kane

    1. La Vida Latte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A i think

  3. I Have No Idea What I'…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    G2G or is there a hit worth taking? £2.7m to spend.

    De Gea
    Valencia Yoshida Bailly
    Hazard Coutinho Son Eriksen
    Kane Vardy Benteke

    Bench: Jakupovic Zaha Stephens Chambers

    1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      gtg!!

  4. Lionel Ronaldo
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hi guys, Siggy -> Arnautovic (-4) for a one-week-punt?

      1. Please Help I Don't Kn…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nah don't see it happening

    • Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Advice please

      Foster (Heaton)
      PVA Davies Pieters (Robertson Chambers)
      Sane Alli Sanchez King (Siggy)
      Rashford Kane Kaku

      1ft. 0.4itb. Planning to WC next week.

      1. La Vida Latte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Kaku to gabbi so you can catch the rise tonight.

    • TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      What would you do with this lot?

      Heaton Jaku
      Valencia Gibson Mawson Holebas FM
      Sanchez Alli Eriksen Siggy Zaha
      Lukaku Kane Negredo

      1 FT, 1.7 in bank, WC in 36 probably.

      a) Negredo > Benteke/Gabbi
      b) Siggy/Zaha > King/Pool mid
      c) both for -4
      d) WC
      e) Sanchez + Negredo > 19.4 combo (-4)
      f) Sanchez + Siggy > 20.6 combo (-4)
      g) something else

      Cheers in advance.

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A to Benteke

      2. Lateriser 12
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        D
        I made that decision 30 mins ago.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, feels bad doing it this late.

      3. WE GO FOR IT
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Siggy -> King/Pool mid

      4. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        B for me - also stuck between King or Firmino/Cout!

      5. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Im doing c (Gabbi + King)

      6. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A GABBI.

      7. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers all.

      8. The Overthinker
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        B
        Siggy to coutinho

      9. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        C - gabbi and king

      10. sminkypinky
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I'm with LR. Doing it tonight too meself.

      11. Dangerous Donkeys
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A - kind of plays itself that one.
        I'd go Benteke and bench siggy

        Pointless taking a hit cos you'll be WC'ing next week.

    • Lateriser 12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      RMWCT

      Complete U turn now. WC activated. Whiskey incentivized.

      Caballero Pickford
      Bailly Yoshida Alonso Stephens Gabriel
      Alli Sane Firmino Haz Albrighton
      Kane Jesus Gabbiadini

      Money for Bobby to Alexis next week.
      Worried about Gabriel. Want Costa.

      1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        thoughts on
        Kane> Costa
        Sane > Eriksen
        Bobby > Ozil

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          You prefer Alli + Eriksen to having Kane + Alli / Eriksen?

          I'm really unsure if Kane is the safer option, but just can't lose Alli.

          Good team, LR! I think you have all bases covered.

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yes to 2

      2. Dokdok666
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I don't think Costa is possible with Kane/Haz/Sanchez in the team.
        Gabrie is definitely a worry, but at 4.7 might be worth the risk..?

        I would rather get Sanchez in now than plan for next weeks transfer

    • EP
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Best one week punt?

      A) Kompany
      B) Bailly
      C) Daniels

      1. The Overthinker
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Kompany

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

          Thanks Overthinker

    • YouReds
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm on WC with only room for one of King or Sane.
      Atm I'm on King for a week or two before the switch to Sane. Or do I just go with Sane now? I'm just worried about peps rotation!

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        King

      2. HashAttack
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        King for this week

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Go with the King!

    • Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Play

      A sterling
      B zaha

      1. FISSH
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        B

    • FISSH
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Who on earth do I captain??

      Kane
      Lukaku
      Gabi
      Coutinho

      1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        if you're winning your league Kane
        if you're losing your league gamble with Gabi or Cout

    • Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bottomed, worth a hit to do Negredo > Kane this week?

      1. La Vida Latte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Probably

    • New Post
    • George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Please tell me which comment has been marked for review this time. This one is a complete mystery.
      This is getting very tiring.

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Oh see above , I get it now.

    • rdamjan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Siggy to Arnautoivic one week or Hazard? For FT.

    • WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bottomed

      RMWCT

      Caballero | Pickford
      Stephens | Bailly | Davies | Holgate | Smith
      JWP | Eriksen | Sane | Sanchez | Hazard
      Gabbi | Jesus | Kane

      1. The Wizard of Ozil
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nice mainly. Pickford for save points not clean sheets? Davies needs to go as Rose nearly back, is the consensus call on here.

      2. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Davies replaced by rose this weekend from what I here???
        Arsenal def maybe??
        other than that nice!!

    • Clucas
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ok, FPL Friends....who to captain? Who will gonna bring our joy when refreshing the " points " page??????

      1. Christophe Savage
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Going Kane, spurs have to win think they will be fired up can see a Kane brace.

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

          Oh...cristophe mate...I'm tempted to go with Master Kane too

          1. Christophe Savage
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            No obvious choice I can see, so go with the class.

    • The Wizard of Ozil
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Final draft, please RMWCT, 0.1 itb:

      Caballero
      Blind Kompany Huth
      Sanchez Alli (C)outinho King
      Kane Gabbi Vardy
      Sub: Cech/Albrighton/Monreal/Stephens

      Plan: Vardy, Coutinho and Kompany to Jesus, Eriksen and Alonso for GW37. Yes, no Hazard.

      1. suddenorgan
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Chelsea look so dangerous at the moment though

    • Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      WC Team:

      De Gea (Caballero)
      Bailly, Kompany, Yoshida (Huth, Dawson)
      Hazard, Sanchez, Eriksen, King (Albrighton)
      Jesus, Gabbiadini, Kane

      Happy with the team this week, 3 double players the following week, bench boost week after that.

      1. The Wizard of Ozil
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Very similar to mine. I like it and I like that you haven't gone for cheap as hell keeper.

        1. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah screw that, I've been going with cheapies all year and last year. Time to get some clean sheets!

          1. The Wizard of Ozil
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            I'm with you brother. I want some good hands of cleanies, as good as a goal! See my WC team above..

    • Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Anthony Joshua or Wladimir Klitschko?

      I reckon Joshua will dispatch Klitschko with ease Wladimir is well past it
      I think Tyson Fury could give Joshua a lot of problems with his unorthodox style this is the fight i would rather see

    • Legomane
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pickford
      Alonso Valencia Pieters
      Sanchez Alli Eriksen Sigurdsson
      Kane Lukaku Benteke

      (Heaton ASmith Gibson TCarroll)

      1ft 0.0itb WC BB

      Fed up not owning Haz...
      A. Have some patience...Siggy>King, but accept lower TV for WC next wk...
      B. Catch price rises and falls (0.4m) Lukaku Siggy > Gabbi Haz
      C. Sanchez Siggy > Haz Coutinho
      D. Time to WC, Valencia etc have to go...

      1. The Wizard of Ozil
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        C looks tasty but I'd probably go B.

      2. FPLtfs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A, its about points, not TV.

    • Max City
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pickford Jaku
      Alonso Baines Maguire Fabio Gibson

      Alli Eriksen King Siggy Zaha
      Benteke Kane Lukaku

      1 FT and going to WC next gameweek

      So for this week only:
      A) Jaku >> De Gea
      B) Gibson >> Blind/Bailly
      C) Siggy >> Hazard
      D) Lukaku >> Gabbiadini

      1. STONEROSES
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        D

    • EP
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A) Caballero, Cech, Blind, Maguire, Afobe (third striker)
      B) Caballero, Pickford, Gabriel, Daniels/Blind, Gabbiadini
      C) Caballero, Pickford, Monreal, Huth, Afobe

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

        b

    • FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Need to free up 0.6 for de Roon -> King. WC next week.

      a) Valencia -> Blind
      b) Valencia -> Clichy
      c) Lukaku -> Gabbiadini
      d) Other suggestions?

      1. STONEROSES
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        C

      2. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        valencia to blind/darmian or clichy.
        depends if you have utd def already
        lukaku to rabbi next week maybe?

      3. Rodders
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        C

    • Jam0sh
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Do you think Jesus back will affect on Sane's starting place? Considering Siggy -> Sane for free for one week before wildcarding

      1. STONEROSES
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Possibly. And sane but off colour last night. Wouldn't bank on him starting on Sun

    • The Dynamics
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Play one
      A: Fuchs
      B: Son
      C: Valencia

      1. STONEROSES
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        B

    • Sonic9
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Oh have jaku stones holdgate

    • STONEROSES
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Benteke a better bet than Gabbiadini this one Gameweek?

      Yay or Nay?

      1. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        If I needed no other transfers I'd do it for free but not for a hit

    • FPL Footy Show Pod
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Quick poll on WC

      YES

      NO

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        YES

    • FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Using AOA this week. Need a defender (up to 5.3) to play alongside Alonso;

      a) Blind
      b) Clichy
      c) Daniels
      d) other?

      WC next week.