Scout Picks
5 May 2017 1417 comments
J0E J0E
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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. Chef Ramsey
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Thoughts/suggestions on this as a Wildcard team?

    Caballero (Pickford)
    Monreal Baines Smith (Maguire Holgate)
    Sanchez Hazard Alli King (Albrighton)
    Lukaku Jesus Gabbiadini

    0.1 ITB

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

    Repost any obvious changes? have a nice DGW guys!!

    Cech (V)
    Alonso Kosc Yoshida
    Sanchez (C) Hazard Alli Romeu King
    Kane Jesus
    Caballero Stephens Anichebe Holgate

  3. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Silly question, but start of out of:

    A) Davies
    B) Holgate
    C) Stephens

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

      c

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Cheers

  4. Prospero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    On my wildcard. Worth changing Alderweireld/Sane to Yoshida/Eriksen? Already have Stephens, Alli, Kane, Jesus for coverage questions

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

    Is Cahill's goal threat likely to continue or will he hang back more and let the attackers do the work?

    Rival 20 points behind me has Cahill and I can't decide if I should block him or get Azpi

    A - Cahill & Monreal (block rival)
    B - Azpi & Kos

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      No point getting Azpi, no goalscoring threat, hasn't been among BAPS for ages now.

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

    Kane or Hazard for this GW?

    1. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Hazard

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Always back a hungry Striker chasing the golden boot, more importantly Spurs still chasing Chelsea. Harry can run riot against West Ham.

  7. MTPockets
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Deadline likely to screw a lot of people over.
      Busy here but not sat morning busy.

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

        Considering the FPL app issues an alert, really no excuse tbh

      2. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Is it tonight?

    • Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      What's your favourite Picasso?

      1. MTPockets
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Shortcrust

      2. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        All set.

        Cech - Caballero
        Cahill - Azpilicueta - Gabriel - Yoshida - Stephens
        Sanchez - Hazard - Alli - Sane - King
        kane - Jesus - Anichebe

        Good luck all. 🙂

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

          Good team. Have fun!!

          1. pundit of punts
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            You too.

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

          nice team. good luck

          1. pundit of punts
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            cheers.

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

          a) Pedro & Monreal
          b) Sane & Huth/Davies (or other defender up to 4.8)

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

          Whoops. Nice team - gig!

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

            *gtg!

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

        I'm tempted to do Albrighton>Capoue and Holgate>Maguire, then play Maguire over Capoue this GW. Thoughts?

        Basically I'm playing Maguire over Albrighton this GW and Capoue + Maguire over Albrighton + Holgate in the DGW.

        1. MTPockets
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Not sure. Seems pretty even (vs playing albrighton this week)

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

          Repost:

          A) Sane and Jesus
          B) Capoue and KANE

          1. My Name Is Pepu
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Pukes at Capoue, can you go for someone like JWP instead?

          2. soup natsi
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            A

        3. Zlat-man
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          KIngsley or Ake.. who has better chance of getting mins on gw37? (solely for bb purpose)

        4. Alex LFS
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          On wikifanta they now the Aguero situation before himself ahahahah
          he is injury, I chose Gabbiadini

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

          davies alonso yoshida stephens

          which 2 to play?

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

            Alonso, Stephens/Yosh

          2. Zlat-man
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            y & a

        6. soup natsi
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Would you sell Coutinho for Hazard for a hit?

          1. Zlat-man
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            yes

        7. FPLtfs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Caballero
          Alonso, Monreal, Stephens
          Sanchez (c), Hazard, Alli, King
          Jesus, Kane, Gabbiadini
          Pickford, Sane, Holgate, Blind
          0 itb.

          I know Blind is not the best option, but he's in there for BB gw37 as my closest rivals has double United def.
          Any other changes needed?

        8. RSe
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          A) Davies & Monreal
          B) Vertong & Gabriel/Huth

          (Got Cech)

          1. soup natsi
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            B

        9. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Anyone think Stanilas start this week?

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

          Those playing a 3-5-2 with Anichebe, do you have your AoA available? how will you make the shift in GW 38?
          will require a hit or two, no?

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

            save FT in gw 37

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

            Good Point!
            Luckily I've used it Earlier.
            Not necessary to Use it anyways!

        11. That Was Easy!
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Bench Boost?

          Pickford; JWP, Holgate, Stephens

          Would mean great TC options in 37 with Hazard, Sanchez, Kane, Jesus.

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

          If Gabbi flops or gets injured I think a good move next week could be King & Gabbi > Sane & Anichebe

          1. That Was Easy!
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Agreed, like that thought.

          2. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Yep they look good, even for a hit

        13. 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?

          i'd like a decent 3rd forward, coz i have my AoA available to play in GW 38
          or is that thinking wrong?

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

            Good thiniking imo. Cheap def (Holgate) + decent mid and att? Sane (Pedro if you can't afford) + Gabbi ?

        14. Sims
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          City Bald keeper

          Maguire Yoshid(gw)a Gabriel Gabriel

          Hazard King San(c×2)hez Alli

          Kane Costa Jesus

          YOU DIG????

          1. Zlat-man
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            will Gabriel start both?

        15. HamesNotJames
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Last few mins of preparation, any opinions from experienced players appreciated:

          Gabriel / Yoshida
          N'Diaye
          Costa

          or

          Koscielny / Cahill
          Pedro
          Anichebe

          ??

        16. lordkippe
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          please help me out. already on a -4. Do i do coutinho > Sane (-8) or not ? Yes or no ?

          Jakupovic

          Alonso - Azpilicueta - Monreal

          Sanchez - Hazard - Coutinho - King

          Kane - Jesus - Gabbiadni

          Pickford - Stephens - Stones - Zaha

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

            I take it you mean another -4 and -8 in total ... I'd do it, but I ended up -16 for the week

          2. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Yep long run it;s worth it

        17. Jimbo-Jones
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Jagielka or Gabriel?

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Gabriel

          2. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Gabriel

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

          I'm tempted to do Albrighton>Capoue and Holgate>Maguire.

          Basically I'm playing Maguire over Albrighton this GW and Capoue + Maguire over Albrighton + Holgate next GW.

          Sensible?

          1. That Was Easy!
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Albrighton + Holgate looks ages better to me.

          2. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Keep as it is IMO

        19. ..dom
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          I've been set all week but now I'm wavering, play one;

          a) Stephens (liv, ARS)
          b) Vertonghan (whm)

          btw I don't have Yoshida...

          1. That Was Easy!
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Gotta be Vert.

          2. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            I've been advised to play Stephens over Davies, so that would suggest A for you.

        20. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Good to go - bench order and all that?

          Cech
          Alonso - Monreal - Stephens
          Hazard - Sanchez * - Eriksen - King
          Kane - Jesus - Anichebe

          Caballero - Davies - Carroll - Holgate

          1. Prison Mike
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            Davies over Stephens maybe

            1. The Count of Monte Cristo
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 27 days ago

              That's the one I'm torn between. Really not sure!

        21. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Comes down to this

          A) Yoshida Azpi Sanchez Anichebe

          B) Monreal Cahill Carroll Costa

          Need an enabler for Costa/Sanchez.

          Please you lovely knowledgeable folk

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

            A no doubt

          2. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            I should say i already have Stephens as well

          3. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            A