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. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A. Heaton vs cry (away)
    B. Jaku vs sou (away)

    A or B?

    Thx

    1. JoroBG
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A, saves imminent

  2. JoroBG
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is it OK to play my AOA chip? Here's my team:

    Forster
    Alonso Valencia
    JWP King Alli Sanchez Coutinho
    Benteke Lukaku Gabbiadini

    Grant | PvA Holgate Gibson

    1. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I guess best week to play aoa in your case

    2. L S P
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      sure why not

  3. Good Times
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Risky business... Play lukaku or king?

    Current lineup
    Pickford
    Bailly Valencia verthongen
    Sanchez coutinho alli zaha
    Kane lukaku Benteke

    Jaku King jags wilsom

    1. JoroBG
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      King

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

      I'd play both and bench zaha

      1. JoroBG
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        This *

  4. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who is more safer pick in terms of gametime. Sane or Sterling?

    1. JoroBG
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sane

    2. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sane. But both equally I'd say with the Silva injury complication

    3. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sane has been up to know, I don't see why that's going to change. He is due a rest, however - he wasn't great in the Manchester derby and Pep could always use Jesus and Aguero together in a narrower attack.

      1. Pierce34
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        *Up to now

    4. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all 🙂

  5. bombayblues
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Please RMWCT

    Cech* Pickford*
    Benalouane* Cedric* Maguire Alonso* Daniels
    Carroll. Sanchez* Hazard* Alli* Sane*
    Jesus* Kane* Gabby*

    (* - play twice in GW37)
    0.0 ITB

    Plan to move Daniels + Bena out in GW35/36 to have 13 DGW players in GW37 with BB

    What do you think?

    1. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds good

  6. MagnetBPS
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Andy85wsm live stream tonight?

  7. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Only for this week
    A) Costa
    B) Kane
    C) Kun
    D) Benteke
    E) Gabbi
    Have Alli Eriksen but no Hazard if that does matter

    1. JoroBG
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      E or D

  8. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How nailed on is Sane in Man City's MF

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

      He isn't but neither are any mids or forwards.

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

    Who's the best midfielder up to 5m (not JWP) with BB37 in mind?

    1. Henry Hill
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Albrighton maybe? He's on set pieces as far as I know

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

        Yeah I think him or capoue even though both have awful fixtures!

  10. chubster
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone think there's any chance Valencia or Rashford will start?

    1. Henry Hill
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Always a chance but I would think not unfortunately

  11. Henry Hill
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How long are Sakho and Tomkins expected out for? Martin Kelly could be good shout if long term. Thanks

  12. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    @SkyKaveh
    Pep has £250m to spend at Man City in summer: Tielemans (Anderlecht), Mendy (Monaco), Ryan Bertrand, Kyle Walker, Van Dijk, Alexis Sanchez

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

      So a new sh**e keeper and 4 mids to play all over the pitch .

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Who is the gk?

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

          No idea but I'm sure he can find one. The 2 he has now are not very good.

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

      Would do very well to get all them for £250m

  13. JoroBG
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain?
    A King
    B Benteke
    C Gabbiadini

    1. d3bug
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

  14. Jay_
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No wildcard, few problems in defence, defence is below. Benefit of a Valencia downgrade is that it'll fund me doing Zaha & Rashford > Hazard & Jesus over 36/37. Want to BB in 37.

      DDG Caballero
      Alonso Yoshida Holgate Valencia Mustafi

      A) Play Valencia with Holgate subbing in
      B) Valencia > Clichy -4
      C) Valencia > Brunt -4
      D) Valencia > Blind -4
      E) Valencia > Huth -4
      F) Valencia > Daniels -4

      1. JoroBG
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        D

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

        B/D

      3. Jay_
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks lads

      4. Lecky Legs FC
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Who to bring for Siggy this GW?

        A) Tadic

        B) Sane

        C) Arnie

        1. JoroBG
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          A

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

          A

          1. Stanton Warrior
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Why such a lob-on for Tadic? He's had one assist in 6 gw's! Fairly certain you can get a 4.6m midfielder with a better return, even with two doubles coming up

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

        Valdes > caballero (-4)? Other keeper is Pickford...

        1. L S P
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          play pickford

      6. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        RMWCT

        Caballero Pickford
        Alonso Monreal Blind* Yoshida Holgate
        Sanchez Hazard Eriksen Coutinho Romeu
        Kane Benteke* Gabbi

        *Romeu enables place for Jesus or Costa
        *Blind or Daniels ?

        Much different competing to scout picks...

      7. KJT123
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        play siggy or son

      8. Reeker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        One week punt best option:

        Zaha to Arnautovic or Sane

        Defoe -to Gabbi or Benteke

      9. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Repost:

        Team A

        -------------------------------*Cech* - Pickford-----------------------

        Alonso - *Vertonghen* - Bailly - Stephens - Holgate/Yoshida

        -------------Hazard - Sanchez - *Alli* - Sane - King-------------

        -----------------------Kane - *Rashford* - Gabbi--------------------

        or Team B

        -----------------------*Caballero* - Pickford-----------------------

        Alonso - *Monreal* - Bailly - Stephens - Holgate/Yoshida

        --------Hazard - Sanchez - *Eriksen* - Sane - King---------_

        -----------------------Kane - *Tekkers* - Gabbi--------------------

        1. JoroBG
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          B!

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

          My eyes

        3. Krafty Werks
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          B

      10. JoroBG
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Is it a good idea to buy Arnautovic? If yes, who should go:
        A JWP (have Forster & Gabbiadini)
        B King
        C Alli
        D Sanchez
        E Coutinho

        Thanks!

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

          Not for any of those

          1. JoroBG
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            ty

      11. Jönny
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Fair warning, guys.. Having resisted King for all these weeks, to my huge detriment, I'm bringing him in for the Sunderland game. Sorry in advance for the blank.

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

          Same here

      12. S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Undecided if I should start Baines or Nyom. Can anyone see WBA keeping cs against Leicester?

        1. JoroBG
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Play Baines. Everton could win a penalty.

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

          Nyom

      13. popcoin
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Anyone else surprised by a complete lack of mention of Aguero? Even in the scout squad. Good stats despite not scoring against United, and going to a relegation-doomed Boro. If Sane is considered, surely Aguero?

        1. JoroBG
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          +1

      14. Memphis1900
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        For the upcoming DGWs, I can only afford one of Sanchez or Aguero. Which should I pick?

        1. JoroBG
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Sanchez imo

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

          Sanchez
          Jesus will play i bet now

        3. Memphis1900
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks guys. I feel Aguero has the better form but the double double for Sanchez is a huge potential for points.

      15. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Which duo will score more?

        A: De Gea and Zaha
        OR
        B: Pickford and Hazard

      16. Fergiesarmy
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        On WC and have sanchez and will TC him next week

        But thinking of taking a punt this week and putting him back in next week , what are the thoughts?

        Thinking arnie coutinho or firminho ?

        Or will sanchez outscore them

      17. FredUpAlready
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        RMWCT

        Caballero Pickford
        Monreal Yoshida Holgate Alonso Bailly
        Sanchez Hazard Alli Sane King
        Kane Gabbi Anichebe
        1.6m ITB.
        Would you do Anichebe>Afobe?

      18. ABCDEFC
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Who to start out of Baines and David Luiz?

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

          Luiz

      19. Burger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Silva likely to play this weekend?