Scout Picks
28 April 2017 950 comments
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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.

950 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Coen bros.
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months 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…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      A i think

  3. I Have No Idea What I'…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      gtg!!

  4. Lionel Ronaldo
    9 years, 3 months ago

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

    1. Please Help I Don't Kn…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Nah don't see it happening

  5. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Kaku to gabbi so you can catch the rise tonight.

  6. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      A to Benteke

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

      D
      I made that decision 30 mins ago.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, feels bad doing it this late.

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

      Siggy -> King/Pool mid

    4. FPL Footy Show Pod
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

    5. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Im doing c (Gabbi + King)

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

      A GABBI.

    7. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers all.

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

      B
      Siggy to coutinho

    9. Prison Mike
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      C - gabbi and king

    10. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

    11. Dangerous Donkeys
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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.

  7. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      thoughts on
      Kane> Costa
      Sane > Eriksen
      Bobby > Ozil

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

        Yes to 2

    2. Dokdok666
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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

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

    Best one week punt?

    A) Kompany
    B) Bailly
    C) Daniels

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

      Kompany

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

        Thanks Overthinker

  9. YouReds
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      King

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

      King for this week

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

      Go with the King!

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

    Play

    A sterling
    B zaha

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

      A

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

      B

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

    Who on earth do I captain??

    Kane
    Lukaku
    Gabi
    Coutinho

    1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

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

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

    1. La Vida Latte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Probably

  13. New Post
  14. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Oh see above , I get it now.

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

    Siggy to Arnautoivic one week or Hazard? For FT.

  16. WE GO FOR IT
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed

    RMWCT

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

    1. The Wizard of Ozil
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

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

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

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

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

        1. Christophe Savage
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

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

  18. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Chelsea look so dangerous at the moment though

  19. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months 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
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

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

  20. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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

  21. Legomane
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      C looks tasty but I'd probably go B.

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

      A, its about points, not TV.

  22. Max City
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      D

  23. EP
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      b

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

      C

    2. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      C

  25. Jam0sh
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

  26. The Dynamics
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Play one
    A: Fuchs
    B: Son
    C: Valencia

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

      B

  27. Sonic9
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Oh have jaku stones holdgate

  28. STONEROSES
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Benteke a better bet than Gabbiadini this one Gameweek?

    Yay or Nay?

    1. FPL Footy Show Pod
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

  29. FPL Footy Show Pod
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Quick poll on WC

    YES

    NO

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      YES

  30. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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.