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. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Albrighton or JWP?

    1. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      JWP 🙂

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Alb

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

      jwp

    4. kinghenry14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      jwp

  2. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What would you do with this team? No wc left and willing to take hits playing catch up in my ML

    De gea Pickford
    Alonso Valencia Vertonghen Yoshida Kone
    Sanchez Eriksen Zaha King DeRoon
    Benteke Lukaku Kane
    1ft 1.9itb

    1. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Good to go this week - good team.

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

    How nailed are Gabriel and Stephens?

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I hope that Stephens is...can't afford Yoshida :/

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

        Have Yoshi, but could use the spare money

  4. Z
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    _RMWCT_

    Willy Pickford
    Blind Alonso Monreal Yoshida Holgate
    Sanchez Hazard Eriksen Sane King
    Kane Jesus Gabbi

    0.0ITB

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

      Very strong mate

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      If you did Monreal to Gabriel can you upgrade Pickford to Cech?

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

        Is Gabriel nailed for both dgws?

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

          Expected back for GW37

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

        0.1 out

    3. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Benching headache?

    4. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Benching headache every week.

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

        so pleased I don't have BB - I can pick a formation and stick to it

    5. Z
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Won't have a headache GW37 (hopefully)

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

      Same as me except I have Coutinho over Sane. I'm probably going Tekkers over Jesus for this week and I'll have the money to upgrade, but I'm not sure. Who do you bench of the front 8?

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

        Sanchez

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

          Same!

  5. AriGold
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Team - grateful for any help with the following dilemma. 23 points ahead of ML rival. He has Kane, I have Aguero.

    Do I: a) bring in Kane for Aguero and block him; or b) or keep Aguero (c) and bring in Gabbi for Negredo?

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

      safer to bring in Kane .. and then have enough for Jesus as well, assuming he takes over

      Worth protecting yourself for this week at least ... no even sure Kun will play and Kane could hattie (will be your rivals captain probably)

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

        Makes sense, cheers for the reply. Judgment slightly clouded by the fact that Aguero & gabbi feels like a stronger pairing overall than Kane & Negredo/Siggy (would bench one)

  6. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    what's the best Gabbiadini goal Shout ?

    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gabba Gabba Do (Flintstones reference)

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

        Hahaha

      2. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        😀

  7. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is Kompany the best City defender to get, or Otamendi/Kolarov/Clichy are worth a shout?

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

      If you want the 3 BAPS then it has to be Kompany ... a goal against boro would be a nice bonus

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

      I'm going Clichy, but if i had the money i would be going Vincent

  8. justmatt
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What to do this week..

    A - Negredo to Gabbi and bench one of Zaha/Townsend
    B - Bench Negredo and play both Zaha/Townsend

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

      Have same problem, but I can do it only for a hit

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

        It's a tough one. I don't want Zaha/Townsend long term but it's a risk losing them this week. Gabbi is tempting though.

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

          And his price is rising tonight

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

            Could be worth the hit if he plays in the doubles.

  9. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Money no object, top three forwards for this week?

    Kane Benteke Cotsa?

    Or Gabbiadini?

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane Afobe Gabbi

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Afobe, interesting.

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

      Gabbi

      Everton are tight at home and it might be another 20 gameweeks before Costa gets double figures

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

      Benteke Kane vardy

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy is intriguing as well.

  10. AdamJ91
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Gabby or Jesus as a 1 GW punt?

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

      Gabby, Jesus minutes could be limited.

  11. ♤TeddyBear♤
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Can I get some feedback on the WCT?

    Willy (Cech)
    Alonso yoshida Stephens
    Sanchez hazard erikson king
    Kane costa Gabby

    Subs - Vert Holgate Carroll
    0.5ITB all chips left

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

      Nice

    2. adey70
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Like it!

    3. ♤TeddyBear♤
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys

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

    Bench 1
    A. Siggy
    B. Lanzini

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

      B

  13. kinghenry14
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    play 3:

    A) Alonso (eve)
    B) Alderweireld (ARS)
    C) Valencia (SWA)
    D) Stones (mid)
    E) yoshida (HUL)

    cheers

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

      ACE

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

    A) Aguero
    B) Gabbi'

    for 1 week punt

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

      B

    2. adey70
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    A) Kane, Erik, Alli + Costa
    or
    B) Kane, Erik, Haz + Jesus

    Cheers

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

      B

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

      B

    3. kinghenry14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      b

  16. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Should I play Pickford or Jaku?

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pickford

  17. Scheister
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Rate my WC team please 🙂

    Cab
    Bailly Yoshi Stephens
    Sanchez Hazard Alli King Sane
    Kane(C) Gabbi(V)

    Pickford Anichebe Monreal Koscielny

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

      Drop Kos or Monreal

      Another big ST next to Kane then GTG

  18. matiakez
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WC defence is a struggle:

    Pickford willy
    Alonso Vertongen Gabriel Holgate Stephens

    NO United the main issue but who would go? Nothing in thr bank.

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

      Vert or Gabriel

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

    JWP or Ox?

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

      wenger out

      1. kinghenry14
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        this

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

        sure mate, sure but how about some FPL? ox or jwp ?

    2. kinghenry14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      jwp

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

      Why these two?

  20. gorilla
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    martin kelly. pass the weed bro

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

      Time that you revealed your true identity.

  21. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton Pickford
    Alonso blind Valencia Robertson olsson
    Siggy zaha Alli King Fletcher
    Negredo lukaku Kane

    1 FT 7.1 ITB WC available
    Willing to take a punt, hit!
    Suggestions?
    Thinking
    Valencia to Daniels
    &
    Negredo to benteke/Gabbi

  22. NestorC
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Negredo to Gabbi for a hit
    or
    B) Play Zaha

    Not sure I can afford my WC team if I let Gabbi rise tonight...

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

      A

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

    Alli or Eriksen?

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      right answer is both . blv me

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

        Have had both until now and it has paid rich dividends. Sadly, one of them has to go in the WC team

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

          Im the same! the answer is have both and kane to costa or one of them and kane.

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

      Both without doubt

  24. UnitedXCI
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Kun captain.

  25. pug_chops
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What would you do with this defence?
    Alonso Valencia Gibson (Robertson Lenihan)
    A) Play as is
    B) Valencia to Blind (-4)
    C) Gibson to 5.1 Def (-4)
    D) Robertson to 4.4 Def (-4)
    1 week only before WC

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

      C

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

    Westham almost without a defender !!!

  27. Lav
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Henn (Pick)
    Alonso Bailly Yoshi (Gibson Holgate)
    Hazard Alli Eriksen Zaha King
    Kane Lukaku (Anichebe)

    3.5 ITB 2 FT

    A. Gibson out
    B. Zaha out
    C. A & B
    D. Something else

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

      use both FT then save for 37.
      lukaku > Gabbi
      Zaha > Sane

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

        Keep Gibson??

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

    which one:

    A) De Gea,Gabriel,Eriksen
    B)De Gea,Gabriel,Coutinho
    C)Cech,Darmian, Eriksen
    D)Willy,Darmian,Alli

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

      C

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

      A

  29. bow478
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Need your opinion gentlemen, does this look okay to you, if not what changes would you make? Thanks in advance!

    Heaton
    Yoshida, Valencia, McAuley
    Ali, Coutinho, King, Zaha,
    Gabbiadini(C), Aguero(VC), Lukaku

    Jakupovic, Son, Vertonghen, Jagielka

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

      Gtg

  30. BENFICA É MERDA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    RMWCT:

    Willy Pickford
    Blind Yoshi Daniels Alonso Holgate
    Coutinho Alli King Ozil Hazard
    Gabbi Kane Jesus

    .3 ITB

    Following gws:
    Coutinho to Sane
    Blind to CHE def (possibly)