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.

1,417 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. That Was Easy!
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Fancy a BB this week for me??

    Pickford, JWP, Stephens, Holgate

    Really tempted as it would mean a hazard (TC) next week.

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Now that is tempting. Would probably do it too if you have TC left.

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Looks good. That bench next week would only have one extra game, albeit slightly easier games.

    2. Pinky Blinders
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      All those players have better fixtures next week. I guess it depends on who you would TC this week as well.

  2. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    How to shave 0.1?

    Cech • Cab
    Alonso • Monreal • Yosh • Steph • Holg
    Sanchez • Haz • Erik • TADIC(0.1short) • King
    Kane • Jesus • Anichebe

    1. Kingtekkerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Tadic to Pedro

      1. zizoo10
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        hes not nailed, and want a dgwer for this week

        1. BecAuse79
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          still 1 Perdo better than 2 Tadic go for it

        2. Kingtekkerz
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          What about Monreal to Vertonghen? (Even though you lose 1 dgw player)

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens (or Holgate) and Tadic to Huth and Redmond.

    3. MTPockets
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cab > Pickford? (inc Monreal > Kos)

    4. zizoo10
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      good options cheers lads

  3. BecAuse79
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Caballero

    Monreal Alonso Stephens

    Hazard Albrighton Alli Sánchez (Carroll)

    Costa Gabbiadini Jesus

    GTG ?

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yepo

  4. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Oh forgot there was a game tonight

    What time is the deadline?

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      9pm

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      7pm BST

      1. Ginola14
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        7pm you dig?

    3. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      It's 2:30am here I was trying to sleep until I got a notification about a game in a few hours. My WC team isn't complete and I haven't even activated it yet.

  5. columbo
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Stanislas or Fraser good alternatives for King for low team value? stan could get number 10

    1. That Was Easy!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think so unfortunately, King has been Bournemouth's everything.

  6. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    WC team Good to go? Or any changes?

    Cech
    Kosc Alonso Davies
    Sanchez (c) Hazard Alli Pedro King
    Kane Jesus

    (Cabellero, Yoshida, Stephens, Anichebe)

    1. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Great gtg.

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        cheers!

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

      Davies isn't a great call, Rose is back in full training!

      1. Super Pav
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Would say the same. Think Rose could be back for the last couple of games. Definitely look to see him play some part of the DGW.

    3. That Was Easy!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Can you squeeze to Vertoghen?

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I know he is a risk but can only afford Vert if I downgrade Cech to Pickford, reckon it's worth it?

      2. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I'd downgrade Pedro to a Saints mid to achieve this.

        1. Prison Mike
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          I don't trust saints atm given their poor form, I might just risk Davies, they rushed Rose back from injury last time will they really make the same mistake again?

  7. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg?
    Caballero
    Koscielny Huth Alonso
    Sane Alli King Sanchez Hazard
    Kane Jesus

    Pickford Anichebe Stephens Holgate

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Stupendous.

    2. BecAuse79
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Where is Costa , im on WC too cant go without him

      1. Super Pav
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Think most people are going for either Costa or Sanchez and can't do both

    3. That Was Easy!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Like it a lot. Kosc + Huth may be great.

    4. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all

  8. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Which gets more points?
    A) TC Sanchez 36 BB 37 Pickford, Anichebe, Maguire, Holgate

    B) TC Hazard 37 BB 36 same bench

  9. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    A. Lukaku (fixtures)
    B. Vardy (DGW)

    1. Kingtekkerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. korbendallas82
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A now, swap to dgw 37.

  10. jia you
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Just in from a night out, missed da pressers, any news on the severity of Aguero's injury guys?

    1. Ibracadabra
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      ruled out this weekend; maybe for GW37 but with his injury history, I doubt he will be rushed. Probably will start game 2 of GW37.

    2. Ginola14
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      out this week

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Not as bad as feared by the sounds.

    4. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Misses this game, might make the next one.

    5. jia you
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all, gonna have to into da tank a bit so on my Kane to Jesus plan! I wonder just how much Aguero will affect Jesus minutes over the final two GWs?

      1. Numb
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Shouldn't do. Pep loves Jesus.

        1. jia you
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Yep, think you're right mate, it seems madness to be considering Kane to Jesus but I want to keep both Alli & Eriksen in my 5 man midfield so I'll prob do it! I feel with City's fixtures Jesus is gonna explode!

  11. arndff_
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I'm on WC with 0.0m ITB. G2G?

    Cech
    Alonso Vertonghen Gabriel
    King Alli San(c)hez Hazard(vc)
    Kane Jesus Gabbiadini

    Caballero | Stephens Holgate Carroll

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Gabriel (who's not nailed) to Huth

      1. arndff_
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Should I keep Gabbiadini? Wouldn't be better to buy Anichebe?

  12. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Genuine question. Would Anichebe or Borini be a better enabler pick for bb37?

    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'd always go Anichebe simply because of the funds and what it can get you - 0.8 is precious.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Mark would you prefer TC on 37 or BB 37?

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Both gash, probably Victor cos he's cheaper.

    3. Ibracadabra
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      both will likely return 4 points, Sunderland rarely score, if you need the money, go Anichebe.

  13. Zizou
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Hey all

    Any opinions. Should I bench anyone other than sane or gtg.

    Thanks and good luck

    Caballero
    Alonso yoshida Gabriel
    Hazard Sanchez eriksen king
    Kane Gabbi Jesus
    (Pickford, sane, holgate, Kelly)

  14. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Valencia to Monreal for free?

    1. Sergeant Garcia
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yeaaa!

  15. Sergeant Garcia
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Which one of these guys?

    A) Caballero/ Cech, Monreal, Vertonghen
    B) Pickford / Cech, Koscielny, Huth

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

  16. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    RP
    Where can I find £0.1m?
    Willy | Pickford
    Alonso | Koscielny | Vertonghen | Holgate | Yoshida
    Sanchez | Hazard | Alli | King | Sane
    Kane | Anichebe | Jesus
    0.5 ITB
    Sane was the guy I left out

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Ignore the 0.1 think

    2. MTPockets
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Alli > Erik

  17. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    is gabbi on pens, or tadic?

    1. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Could be Gabby after the Tadic miss

  18. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth holding Gabbi?? & bring Jesus next GW???

  19. liiusions
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Willy
    Alonso Gabriel Yoshida
    Sanchez(c) Hazard Alli King
    Kane Jesus Gabbi
    (Pickford Eriksen Stephens Holgate)

    G2G this week? Good luck all

    1. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I just can't decide on Gabriel

      1. Ginola14
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        erik over gabbi all day

  20. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Lol at every team being virtually the same.. Anyone with less than seven scout picks? 😀

    1. Ginola14
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      got 6

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I have 5

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Pack your parachute 😉

        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Eriksen and Alli will shoot me up the rankings for the umpteenth time I'm sure 😉

        2. Ginola14
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          jaku
          Alonso /baines / bailly
          sanchez / haz / erik / alli / king
          jesus / kane
          im a gent someone else can have my parachute...

    3. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I have 3

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        😯

    4. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'm only missing Huth!

    5. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      5 and another 2 on the bench

  21. Sonic Huth
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Guys with TC,BB left. TC Sanchez confirmed??

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on ur squad. Yes if got good squad for BB 37

      1. Sonic Huth
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Pickford -Holgate-Pedro-Stephens on Bench for 37

  22. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft please. Daniels or Blind?

    Caballero Pickford
    Alonso Davies Daniels Gabriel Stephens
    Sanchez Hazard Alli King Albrighton
    Kane Jesus Gabbi

  23. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    A) Sanchez and Pedro
    B) Ozil and Eriksen (or Pedro)

  24. Forjaz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    WC team.

    Willy/Pickford

    Cahill Monreal Yoshi (Stephens/Holgate)

    Hazard Sanchez Alli King (tcarroll)

    Costa Jesus Vardy

    Would you guys change anything? No Kane. I know, but for this week I think Costa and Vardy will outscore Kane.

    I want Sane in there...but no clue how to manage that. 0 itb.

  25. dhirst
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Cabby, Cech

    Kos, Stephens, Yoshi, Colgate, Davies

    Sane, Sanchez, Hazard, King, Allí

    Jesus, Kane, Anichebe

    0.3 ITB

    GTG? Any suggestions? Ta

  26. mash
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Final WC check! Who are best for the last two slots:

    Caballero Pickford
    Alonso Monreal Yoshida Stephens ???
    Sanchez Hazard Alli King ???
    Kane Jesus Anichebe

    A) Daniels + Pedro £0.3m ITB
    B) Maguire + Sane, £0.2m ITB

    Will BB GW37. Cheers in advance and good luck to all!

    1. Kingtekkerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

  27. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Willy/Pickford owners, who are you playing this week?

    1. That Was Easy!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      CS potential vs Saves, I'm having a tough time deciding.

    2. mash
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'll be playing Caballero.

    3. Gerci
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Willy

  28. That Was Easy!
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Hey Mark, you on here? Thought you might have an interesting opinion on BB for me this week.

    Pickford; JWP, Stephens, Holgate

    GW37 TC on Sanchez/Hazard/Jesus looks incredible. BB either week doesn't look all that great.

    1. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      You know he is

  29. TooDifficuIt
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Out In Cost
    Pickford Cech 0pts
    Alli Hazard 0pts
    Gabbiadini Anichebe 0pts
    Kane Costa 0pts
    Blind Koscielny 0pts
    Total Cost 0pts
    Confirm Transfers ?

    1. TooDifficuIt
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      shit it didn't work

  30. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Those with Cech,

    A) Cab
    B) Pick