Scout Picks
5 May 2017 1417 comments
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We can now reveal who has made the cut from our midweek squad list to earn a coveted Scout Picks place ahead of this evening’s deadline.

Two fixtures each mean Southampton and Arsenal assets feature prominently in our XI, particularly in defence, where we have decided to double up on Gunners players for their trip to St Mary’s and an Emirates clash with Manchester United.

Petr Cech (5.3) earns a spot with the Southampton match in mind for a clean sheet, given that Claude Puel’s troops have only scored in one of their last four at home. With 16 saves in his last three matches, he also offers us the security of points should the Red Devils stick to the form book, which has seen them score eight times across their last four road trips.

We’ve decided to spend a little extra on the security of starts Laurent Koscielny (6.1) offers, particularly with the news that fellow centre-back Shkodran Mustafi is back in training to threaten the cheaper Gabriel’s starting berth.

With 19 bonus points – more than any other defender – the 11.4%-owned Frenchman joins his Czech team-mate in offering us multiple routes to points.

Another secure starting double Gameweek asset to win a place is Southampton’s 4.6%-owned Maya Yoshida (4.5), who is also a useful enabler for our 84m budgeted XI. Of his two fixtures, the home match with Arsenal looks the likelier for shut-out points as Arsene Wenger’s charges have failed to find the net in two of their last four away days.

Our remaining two rearguard picks are claimed by two of the Premier League’s most attacking defenders facing favourable home ties against travel-sick sides.

Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (6.8), who has five goals and as many assists this season, takes his place ahead of a Stamford Bridge encounter with a Middlesbrough side that has only scored in one of their last four on the road. The Spaniard’s credentials are boosted further by the fact that he has attempted the most shots (39), and is second for touches in the opposition penalty area (67), among defenders this season.

We have also turned to the goal scoring and clean sheet prospects offered by Robert Huth (4.9). His Leicester City side host a Watford attack that has failed to find the net in all of their last four away days.

The Hornets’ concession of 22 goals from crosses and 11 from corners – an unwelcome record only beaten by Hull City – also gives us hope that the imposing German, who has netted twice in his last seven, can deliver attacking returns.

With a mere 2.1% ownership, the Foxes defender is an intriguing differential option for the season run-in.

Just one double Gameweek player earns a start across our midfield and forward picks, which shows how poorly we view Arsenal’s and Southampton’s attacking form.

Both sides have managed a mere three goals apiece over their last four, with only West Brom, Watford and Sunderland scoring fewer over that time frame.

But if any attacker is to break this slump, we believe it will be Arsenal’s top scorer Alexis Sanchez (11.5), who has netted 19 times and assisted a further nine this season. Although just one of the Chilean’s goals has come in the last six matches, his 16 shots over that period suggest that he is a player we cannot afford to ignore.

His form might be patchy, but his pedigree is not in doubt – only Romelu Lukaku, with 30, has more goals and assists combined than Sanchez’s 29 this season.

Lack of form is something Eden Hazard (10.5) certainly cannot be accused of, with the 33.3%-owned Chelsea schemer facing Boro on Monday on the back of four goals and an assist in his last five.

It’s a good time to be bringing that run to face Middlesbrough’s defence – they’ve conceded 17 goals in their last nine fixtures (1.9 per match).

Another in-form goal scoring midfielder we’ve included is Bournemouth’s Josh King, who continues to make a mockery of his initial 5.5 price tag having claimed 11 goals in his last 12 league matches.

The Norwegian, who is now priced at 6.2 and has attracted 67,000 new owners this week, collides with a Stoke City defence that has shipped 10 in their last six on the road. The Potters have also kept just one clean sheet in their last seven fixtures.

We wanted to include a Spurs midfielder in our selection, but both Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli’s price tags proved prohibitive. Instead, we have turned to the value offered by Manchester City winger Leroy Sane (7.7), who hosts Crystal Palace at the weekend.

The German differential, who is only 6.6% of teams, has a goal and assist in his last four and Sam Allardyce’s troops are in poor defensive form, without a shut-out from their last four.

In the absence of Eriksen or Alli, Harry Kane (11.7) is our sole representative from Spurs, who travel across town to take on West Ham.

The 18.9%-owned England striker has struggled to replicate his home form on the road, with only five of his 21 goals scored away from White Hart Lane. But we think his love of the capital, and West Ham’s shaky home defence, will ensure he prospers at the London Stadium.

Kane’s last 15 goals in all competitions have all been scored in London and he thrives in both local derbies – 18 strikes from his last 20 of those – and when facing the Hammers, against whom he has scored five times in his last four appearances.

Slaven Bilic’s side has shipped 27 goals in front of their own fans, which ranks them as the Premier League’s third-worst home defensive unit, ahead of only Swansea City and the already relegated Sunderland.

Gabriel Jesus (8.7) has hit the ground running after a seven-week injury lay-off, scoring in his first start on his return away at Middlesbrough last week. In fact, he now has four goals from just five shots on target during his fledgeling Premier League career.

We anticipate another start and more attacking returns for Palace’s visit, particularly given that the Manchester City striker has three goals from his last four run-outs, which included a five minute Etihad cameo in Gameweek 34 against Manchester United.

With 147,000+ new owners, the Brazilian is by some distance the week’s biggest attraction in FPL’s transfer market, beating Sanchez’s 100,000+ acquisitions with ease.

As the best-priced defender, according to FPL’s season value list, Charlie Daniels (5.2) is unlucky to only make the bench ahead of Stoke’s visit to the Vitality Stadium. The Potters have only scored four times in their last six, while the Bournemouth left-back has hit four and assisted a further three this campaign to offer the prospect of returns at both ends of the pitch.

Despite having the sixth best total points tally among FPL defenders, Daniels is still only in 9.9% of teams.

If Swansea City are to beat the drop, they will need our second substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.4) to deliver at home to Everton. Attacking returns in his last two, following a five-match drought, indicate he has the form to reward the 11% of managers who have clung on to him and punish the 19,000+ who have moved him out this week.

Having delivered just one assist since returning in Gameweek 33 from an injury lay-off, Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini (6.5) can count himself lucky to earn inclusion.

The Saints tough pair of fixtures – Liverpool and Arsenal – also count against him. But with four goals in his first three starts when he joined from Napoli in January, we have handed the 8%-owned Italian a substitute’s role in the hope he can recapture that impressive early form.

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, Coleymc3, has opted for a 3-4-3 line up of: Jakupovic; Cahill, Cook, Maguire; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Lallana, Tadic; Kane, Costa, Jesus.

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

  1. ONE PUNCH MAN
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    I think Swansea and Hull assets have better chances this GW than Saints because they have something to fight for, anybody agrees with me?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Mark's swapped Yoshida for McGuire.

      1. ONE PUNCH MAN
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        I have had Maguire for quite some time of the season, got rid in this WC and got him again.
        Its Siggy I am worried about to be honest. He is like one man army fighting for Swansea

      2. Ibracadabra
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        I think over 36-38 combined with will be a net loss. Hull go to Crystal Palace in 37 where Benteke/Zaha are still in form and dangerous (Burnley result an outlier) and in 38 have Spurs at home. The thing to hope for is that CP are safe by 37 (likely) and Spurs are out of title race by 38 (likely) which makes Hull assets marginally more attractive.

        I only see 1 clean sheet in 3 games.

        Meanwhile SOU have 5 games. I think they will only return 1 clean sheet as well (Stoke or Boro) but get two extra fixtures.

    2. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Mark does

    3. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I think there's a certain existential purity to going 6 DGW players this week and 15 bench boosted next week. It may get me less points, but it's more satisfying.

      1. ONE PUNCH MAN
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        true ,I get that ,just the reason I am captaining Sanchez over Hazard.

    4. Ibracadabra
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Not sure - Everton are organized still under Koeman and Lukaku is dangerous, I don't love SWA.

      Hull are definitely better as Sunderland are woeful and they have something to play for, but as a player who has played in promotion/relegation leagues in the past, once you are down or up, you have no pressure, and often times can produce a performance so I wouldn't be surprised if Sun scored or even picked up a draw since they have no pressure anymore and they are already down.

      I much prefer two games to one, especially Yoshida, who has worn the captain armband this season and provides a threat from set pieces and has 2 more games in 37 than a Hull or SWA player.

      1. ONE PUNCH MAN
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        But their fixtures and form are terrible

  2. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    All in for the DGWs:
    Cech / Wally
    Monreal / Stephens / Alonso
    Sanch / Eriksen / Hazard / JWP
    Jesus / Costa / Gabs

    Wally / Holgate / Mariappa / Morrison

    0.3 spare. Anything to do?

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Needs Kane

    2. Kingtekkerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Not a fan of both JWP and Gabbi.
      Otherwise looks good!

  3. Guy Demel
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A) Cech and Gabriel
    or
    B) Kosc and Pickford

    1. KUNingas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B

  4. Manani
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Pickford Willy
    Holgate Stephens Yoshida Davies Alonso
    Hazard Sanchez Alli King Pedro
    Ainichebe Kane Jesus
    0.2m in bank, WC

    can't really afford arsenal defender without wrecking my team, gtg?

  5. Pinky Blinders
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    How many DGWers you rolling with this week?

    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      7

    2. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      4. Sanchez and triple Saints defence

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        3

    3. NobleBlackman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      3, but I'm gonna bench Yoshi, so make that 2

    4. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      2, Sanchez & Bertrand

  6. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Aguero officially out!!

    Jesus captain during a single gameweek for him???

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Not a bad shout tbh

  7. bowsy51
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Which to have on WC?

    A) Kane Ozil Pedro Monreal Holgate

    B) Costa Hazard King Koscielny Davies

    1. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I definitely prefer B

  8. Evasivo
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    GTG?

    Willy
    Yoshida Gabriel Alonso Vert Huth
    Sanchez(TC) Hazard(vc) King
    Kane Costa

    Pickford Sane Albrighton Anichebe

    1. CVP
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Gabriel not nailed. Mustafi is back

      1. Evasivo
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Oh no! Is that confirmed??

  9. WE ARE RANGERS
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Hazard Sanchez Sane Alli King
    Vardy Jesus Costa

    bench one

    ???

    1. CVP
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Sane

    2. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      All out attack?

      1. WE ARE RANGERS
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        used it already

    3. HashAttack
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      got similar Eriksen / King (With Alli) .... gut is with King this week

      No one's talked about Butland ...is Stoke defence going to be better than expected?

      1. Gideons Rolling Another One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Similar front line and considering benching King as well due to the Butland factor ... That or Lukaku.

  10. Scratch
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    DGW fever has hit me... I have Stephens, Yoshida and Monreal all starting ahead of Alonso and Vertonghen :\

    1. Atwood
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      It's late in the season and DGW's are fun, I say go with it.

    2. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      No way, bench the Southampton boys

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      play alonso and vert

      1. CVP
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Similar problem, Nacho over Vert, while having Cech?

    4. HashAttack
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I'd play one with Alonso ... would definitely play him if I had him

  11. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Thoughts on this wildcard?
    I have a very low team value, so can't see any way of getting Costa/Hazard in. That why the defence is pretty stacked.

    Cabellero - Pickford
    Stephens - Alonso - Monreal - Gabriel - Vertonghen
    Sanchez - Pedro - Albrighton - Sane - Redmond
    Kane - Gabbiadini - Jesus

    1. Scratch
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Don't like the Gabriel or Redmond picks. If you downgrade Redmond to Ndidi / Capoue, Gabriel can turn into Koscielny

  12. BEEZUS
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Stephens or Ward (WBA at home)?

  13. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Which one of the two will you have for the rest of the season?

    1) Costa
    2) Hazard

    1. lutescutudor
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Hazard

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        why not Costa? or his head is turned to China?

        1. lutescutudor
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Not because of that, but Hazard scores more points than Costa, and for attacking positions you would be better off with Kane, Jesus, Gabbi. Personally I will have both for the rest of the season + Pedro, but if I were to choose, I'd pick Hazard in a heartbeat.

  14. goran
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Captain: Sánchez or Jesus? thanks

  15. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Is Kos more certain to play the next four games than Monreal or are they both at risk of being rested?

    1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Kos more Certain

    2. McQueen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Kos more certain to play, injuries his main enemy.

    3. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Kos will play all games if fit

      Monreal has a 95% chance of playing both

  16. KUNingas
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Play one
    A) Stephens (liv, ARS)
    B) Yoshida (liv, ARS)
    C) Anichebe (hul)
    D) Holgate (swa)

    1. SKENG
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B

  17. CVP
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Who to play?
    A. Nacho (Cech playing)
    B. Vert

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      A

  18. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Willy Pickford
    Alonso huth yoshida Stephens ______
    Sanchez hazard Alli King ______
    Kane Jesus _______
    WC active
    16.7 ITB
    Suggestions?
    Cheers

    1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Maguire Sane Anichebe

      1. The Red Devil
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        but i still have my AoA
        won't i need a surgery for GW 38?

  19. Dont give a fuchs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Final team on WC

    Caballero pickford
    Alonso holgate monreal yoshida stephens
    Hazard alli sanchez (C) sane capoue*
    Jesus kane gabbiadini
    Who to replace capoue with?
    Good to go?

  20. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    a) Pedro & Monreal
    b) Sane & Huth (or other defender up to 4.9)

  21. A.T
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    When my wife is at work I like to dress up in her clothes and do the vacuuming to the shake and vac music. I can admit this safe in the knowledge that no-one will read this post

    1. McQueen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      😉

    2. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Shouldn't you know the avg number of refreshes as an admin?

    3. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      If your carpet smells fresh, your room does too.

    4. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Freddie wanabie?

    5. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      😆

    6. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Put the freshness back!

    7. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Loll - brave man! They say that every real man should dress up in woman's clothes at least once .... you seem to have kept up with this great tradition. (I didn't read your post as I averted my eyes)

  22. BrutalLogiC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    will Valencia play?

    1. supersham
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Doubtful

  23. JurgenRocks
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Any more comments on whether to captain a single week game player or Sanchez/Gabbi

  24. Badgevilla
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Nathan Ake worth a gamble? Is Luis def out?

    1. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Conte said there is time for Luis to be fit

    2. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Luiz

    3. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Depends how much you can accomplish with the money you save on a 3.8 defender. I thought about him on my WC but I'm really buying DGW players for next week and I don't think he'll play twice.

  25. FPL_DON
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Start yoshida or Huth?

    1. DP7657
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Huth for me

      1. FPL_DON
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        cheers

  26. DP7657
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A) Sane and Jesus
    B) Capoue and KANE

  27. Niemi
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Really want JWP over Albrighton, but can't find 0.1 extra in my team without selling players I don't want too. How much of a difference will it make? Would play them both in 36 and 37 at least. Might transfer one of them out in GW38.

  28. supersham
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Is it crazy to drop Gabbi for a double.? Its either him or Courtino..

  29. lutescutudor
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Do you think Gabriel Paulista or Holding have any chance to play all 4 games during these 2 GWs ?
    Thanks !

    1. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Not at all. Maybe 6 between them and that's a stretch

  30. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A) Valencia -> Monreal (-4)
    B) Grant & Valencia -> Cech & Gabriel/Cedric (-8)

    Jaku, Grant
    Robertson, Bavies, Brunt, Valencia, Stones