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

    Cabellero (Pickford)
    Yoshida Stephens Gabriel (Alonso Holgate)
    Alli Eriksen Hazard Walcott(c) (King)
    Costa Jesus Kane

    Is my bench and captain correct?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Alonso must start

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

        Who to bench for Alonso?

        1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Stephens

        2. Buck The Trent
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Stephens

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      No way in hell id bench king, would rather bench eriksen

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

        Really King over Eriksen. That's a tough gamble.

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Walcott! Wow.

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

        Hoping he's a differential

    4. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      You paid a big price for Costa
      Yoshida and Stephens could be 1 pointers against those too 6 teams. And Gabriel is unlikely to start with Mustafi back. Hope Costa gets you a brace! And Wally as Cap- boom or bust

  2. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Play Bavies (whu) or Yoshida ?

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

      Yoshida

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

      Yoshida has two games

      1. choppers13
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Bavies

        Cant see southampton keeping a cleansheet

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Yoshida

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

    A) schmeichel Kompany Monreal and Pedro

    Vs

    B) Caballero Koscielny Huth Sane

    Help please pick one.

  4. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Anyone else got the armband on ozil?

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

      Negative

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

      No one decent

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I trust Ozil about as far as I can throw him.

  5. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Cech - Willy
    Alonso - Monreal - Maguire - Stephens - Holgate
    Hazard - Alli - Walcott - King - Fraser
    Kane - Costa - Jesus

    G2G?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      G2G except wally

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

      Personally think the midfield is quite weak with Walcott and Fraser in there, but Costa probably weighting up for that.

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

        I'd rather have Sane if budget allows it or Son.

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Would have to downgrade Cech or Monreal. Means I go from 3 ARS to 1 which is very risky.

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Yes

  6. Horcmen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Walker or Koscielny (-4) ?

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

      Koscielny

  7. Nitram
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Hows my WC looking with BB to play next week?

    Foster/Jaku
    Valencia Kompany Stephens Davies Holgate
    Sanchez Redmond JWP Hazard Pedro
    Vardy Jesus(then Aguero) Anichebe

    Change JWP or Redmond?
    I'm 100 points clear in my mini league and although this dramatically changes my team this should include some duplicates of the team below me.

    Thanks,

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I don't like it one bit tbh

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

    Bench one please guys

    a) Gabbi
    or
    b) Sane

    First to 3 wins

    1. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      A

  9. Red Star Toro
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A) Sane + Kingsley (would actually play only GW37 as it's BB)
    B) Pedro + Gabriel (would mean 1 ARS + 1 SOT this week, instead of 2 SOT)

  10. BecAuse79
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    RP

    Wc ON

    A) Alonso Albrighton

    C) Davies Pedro

    Cheers

  11. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A. Rashford - Son - Gabriel
    B. Vardy/Lukaku - Albrighton - Monreal

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B

  12. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Which one would you play?

    A) JWP (liv, ARS)
    B) Albrighton (WAT)

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B

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

      A

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      JWP

  13. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    RP
    Where can I find £0.1m?
    Willy | Pickford
    Alonso | Monreal | Vertonghen | Holgate | Stephens
    Sanchez | Hazard | Alli | King
    Kane | Anichebe | Jesus
    1.1 ITB

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Alonso to Cahill?

      1. Junior ⚽
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        No thats 0.3 more

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

      Vertonghen or Monreal downgrade most sensible and least annoying. The rest you'd want to hold.

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

      Alli to Eriksen? You've missed out a midfielder though

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

        thats the one he wants to upgrade

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

          Doh!

    4. korbendallas82
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Alonso to Cahill?

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

      Alli to Eriksen or Kane to Costa. Who's your last midfielder?

    6. BecAuse79
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Holgate to Benalouane

      works better if you r done with your BB

  14. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    What gets more points?

    A) TC Sanchez 36 and BB; Pickford, Anichebe DGW Maguire Cry (A) and Holgate Wat (H)

    B) BB 36 with Pickford, Anichebe Hull (A), Yoshida DGW, Holgate Swa (A)

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      TC Hazard 37 by the way!

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

      I basically have the same bench. I'm TCing Sanchez this week because Southampton/Pickford can get a cleanie next week, and then you're looking at 20-25 points from the BB. I also fancy Sanchez this week for points.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah Sanchez this week is the safer option for sure. Cheers buddy helped a lot!

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

      B

  15. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A) Ozil/Pedro

    B) Sanchez/Kante

  16. davies
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Madness to go with Gabriel or Bavies on WC?

  17. korbendallas82
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    I'm settling with no gunners cover in mid/attack. With spurs and gunners fixtures changing in difficulty in gw37, Maby I gamble on Alli to Sanchez/ózil.

    Jaku
    Daniels Huth Monreal
    Alli Sane King Hazard
    Jesus Kane Costa

    Caballero. Albrighton Stephens holgate

    Play caballero over Jaku Maby?

  18. Js31
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Play Jak or Heaton?

    1. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Jaku

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

      My dilemma too!

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

    A) Bavies and Sane
    B) Vertong and king

  20. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    What you going for ?
    A) 3-5-2
    B) 3-4-3

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

      B

  21. dhirst
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Will Gabbi fail?

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

      yes imo

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

    Aguero and Origi out, Vardy and Jesus in?

  23. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    (A) Vertongehen JWP Anichibe OR
    (B) Holgate Ndidi Gabbiadini

    Cech - Cab
    Alonso - Monreal - Vert - Yoshida - Stephens
    Alexis - Hazard - Erik - King - JWP
    Kane - Jesus - Anichibe

    Cech - Cab
    Alonso - Monreal - Yoshida - Stephens - Holgate
    Alexis - Hazard - Erik - King - Ndidi
    Kane - Jesus - Gabbiadini

    What say you!

  24. Please Help I Don't Kn…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Playing Gabriel Jesus over Stephens. Yay or nay?

    1. golden skulltula 69
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Do you have another SOT defender?

      1. Please Help I Don't Kn…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        No

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

      Very close call but I would as he will start and be the focal point at home, while Stephens will struggle for clean sheets this week and likely end up on 4.

  25. golden skulltula 69
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Hi everyone.

    Choose one please for GW 36.

    A. Yoshida & Stephens.
    B. Yoshida & Holgate (Bench Stephens)

    All comments will be appreciated!!!

  26. bigwig
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Any chance that Luiz is out for the season and Ake steps in?

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

      Hi, my name is Kurt Zouma nice to meet you.

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

        Nice to meet you, too. I am John Terry and will likely get the nod at home in GW38 to Sunderland since the title will be wrapped up by then.

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

      More seriously - no - Luiz plays through the pain barrier and has all season - he will hobble along on his one knee till the finish line.

    3. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Would be lovely but can't see it. Like Ibra says, he will likely play on regardless and Terry would seem likely to get a start in final game.

  27. karvs155
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    ON WC: What to change here?
    Cech Cab;
    Azpi Vert Blind Stephens Yoshi;
    Sanch Haz Alli King Albright;
    Kane Jesus Gabb

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

      I don't love Blind on a WC due to potential rotation but he is a much better option than Bailly and Valencia at least and should get at least 2/4 league starts in their final 3 weeks.

  28. Pigs in Blankets!!!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Final wildcard team, I think!!!!

    Caballero
    Stephens,Yoshida,Monreal
    Alli,King,Hazard,Sanchez (c)
    Jesus,Kane,Costa

    - Pickford,Carroll,Holgate,Ake

    Any thoughts????

    1. golden skulltula 69
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I have Stephens, Yoshida and Holgate too...
      Do you want to play Stephens instead of Holgate? Only for DGW...

      1. Pigs in Blankets!!!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Stephens only for DGW, will do BB next week.

  29. Pep says
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Play
    a) Coutinho (SOU)
    or
    b) Tekkers (mci)

  30. Yome
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Anyone punting on Holding instead of Holgate on WC?