Scout Picks
5 May 2017 1417 comments
J0E J0E
Share:

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. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Play Brunt or go Walker to kos for a hit? Please help.

    1. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Kos

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

      I'd lose Walker - he is a major rotation doubt for the remaining weeks. My only doubt is whether Kosc would be the best transfer and not Vert or a Chelsea defender if you could make the stretch.

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

      Walker > Kos sounds good given he has an extra fixture and slightly better fixtures than both

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

    This week Coutinho to King -4
    And
    T.Carroll to Sane next week ?

    Thoughts ?

  3. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

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

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

      A

  4. manutd99
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Only few comments so trying again. Not long to to finalise. Been working on all week

    WC team. low team value. only 12 DGW as trying to fit in monreal and vert. Struggling to fit all in due TV

    Cabbalero/Pickford

    Alonso/Vert/Stephens/Holgate/Monreal
    Sanchez(C)/Hazard/Alli/King/T.Caroll
    Jesus/Kane/Anichibe

    Suggest changes

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

      With your tv that is a very nice team. Maybe downgrade Monreal and upgrade Carroll or Anichebe to Gabbi. Still, gtg

      1. manutd99
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        thanks. Monreal double double. Can get better of course with no monreal but cant ignore 2 x double

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

    Hey Mark, you around? 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.

  6. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench out of Alli, King, Sane or Gabbi? Playing TC so can't play AOA.

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

      same dilemma. I'm benching Sane I think

  7. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Gibson> Huth or Yoshida if you already own Stephens?

    1. The Mighty I
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I went Huth - just think one SOU defender is enough with their fixtures.

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

        Thinking this as well. Thank you

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

    Those with Cech, 2nd gk:

    A) Cab
    B) Pick

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

      A

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

        Was nearly B, but managed some financial engineering to get to A

    2. MTPockets
      9 years, 2 months ago

      b

  9. The Mighty I
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Play Vert or Stephens?

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

      Vert

  10. Scratch
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    To complete this blasted WC once and for all... which one

    A. Alli & Ramsey
    B. Alli & Sane
    C. Ozil & Pedro

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

      b

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

      B

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

      B

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

    good to go??

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

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

      Yup

  12. Pariße
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    FFFix advised me to play King (STK) ahead of Gabriel (MUN, sou) I also have Monreal already. Would you play him or not, seems mad to bench 2 DGW players (I'm already benching Ward-Prowse).

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

      Play King.

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

    Reposted 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

    One vote for B so far on previous page

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

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

      Both defender options are single GW players and the midfielders are not nailed. What about a cheaper mid and someone like Koscielny in the defence?

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

        Could do, which would switch me to a 4-4-2. But I'm not convinced by the Arsenal defence enough to double up. Alternatively with B I could get a Watford defender (say Janmaat) instead of Maguire...

  14. A Betting Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Comes down to this for me:

    A) Pickford & Monreal & Benalouane & Gabbiadini

    vs

    B) Cech & Koscielny & Huth & Anichebe

    Thoughts?

  15. Mattias
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who's the best

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

      not me, thats for sure!

    2. Mattias
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      ....

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

        My posts are posting properly? I wrote a few lines

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

          Lets try for a 3rd time...

          Who's the best

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

            AGHHH admin people whats going on?

        2. Mattias
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          'Not' posting properly. I give up.

          1. MTPockets
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Try without lesser-than sign. Seems they've killed it again.

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

    Best defender for 5.2 or less Daniels?

    Thoughts on this WC draft please.

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

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

    Right i'm making a decision in the next 10. No WC so would be for a -4 or -8

    1) Ozil + Jesus (No Sanchez, could get King next week)
    2) Ozil + King (Could get Jesus next week for free, No Sanchez)
    3) Sanchez + King (No Jesus and no concievable way of getting him)
    4) Sanchez + Jesus + Stephens (-8, would mean going King-less)
    Nuclear option) Jesus & King (No Arsenal at all)

    Help? ^^

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

      I'd go 4. Yes king is good but in 4 you'll get the most points compared to the others.

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

      I think it has to be 3. going without Sanchez is pure luck if it works out imo

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

        Sorry 3 or 4 probly 4 now I've looked again

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

      4 due to dgw's potentially hurting you a lot more than King

    4. Cowboy John
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez and Jesus are must-haves for me.

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

    Sane and Pickford

    Cech and king

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

      B

    2. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      b

  19. 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.

    Bottomed.

    1. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Hey, that is close to mine - look 2 down 🙂

  20. Manbatius
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    A Koshielny or B vertonghen

    Have cech as keeper.

  21. Denis Tueart on the wing
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    On WC

    Willy (Pickford)
    Cahill / / Monreal / Berty (Stephens - B.Davies)
    Sanchez / Sane / Alli / King (Can)
    Costa / Jesus / Gabiaddini

    Thoughts please:
    also
    Is Pedro a better Sane for this GW ?

    thanks

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Downgrade Bert and upgrade Bavies?

      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        And play upgrade?

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

          Play Stephens or Yoshida (see below)

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

      Sane's the better option.

      B.Davies game time is the bigger issue for me

      Berty, B.Davies and Can to Yoshida, Vertongen and Ndidi

      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for Sane boost

        might go for that next GW when BB-ing

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

    Defense set in right order?

    Luiz, Gabriel, Stephens (Holgate, Baily)

    Thanks

    1. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Looks ok to me

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

        Thx

  23. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Vert or Maya?

  24. A.T
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Can't make my mind up on this one. Should I play Kompany or Yoshida?

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

      Kompany.

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

      Vincent

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

      Kompany

  25. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Valencia & Mawson -> Koscielny & Monreal (-8) for the run-in?

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

      Yep, but then again I love a hit or two 🙂

    2. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    3. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah.

  26. temo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Bech one:
    Sane
    King
    Pedro

    1. Trading Bear
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      pedro

  27. Trading Bear
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who is a safer pick to play both games?

    A] Mustafi
    B] Monreal
    C] Gabriel

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

      B.

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

      B

    3. temo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

  28. karvs155
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Got 0,5 to spare, any thoughts??
    Caballero
    Monreal Alonso Vert
    Sanchez Haz King Alli
    Kane Jesus Gabbi

    Pickford; Yoshida, Albrighton, Stephens

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

      Monreal to Kosc

  29. Adz87
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one

    A Erikson
    B king
    C yoshida
    D sane

    Currently on yoshida, heads battered with it though

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

      You're having a laugh

      1. Adz87
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Double game week syndrome

  30. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Holgate or Holding?

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

      The one that will play