Scout Picks
12 May 2017 2058 comments
J0E J0E
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After listing the players under consideration in our midweek Scout Squad article, the time has come to reveal who has earned a place in this week’s Scout Picks.

With ten teams playing twice, our XI is dominated by double Gameweek assets, including those between the sticks.

Stoke City’s Lee Grant, Arsenal’s Petr Cech, Fraser Forster of Southampton and Manchester United’s David De Gea have all earned double-digit FPL scores during double shifts this season so we think it’s the turn of Willy Caballero (4.8) to join their ranks.

The Manchester City stopper’s clean sheet against Crystal Palace last weekend bodes well for returns when Leicester City and West Brom, in particular, travel to the Etihad – the Baggies have only found the net in one of their last six.

Already subject to a price hike this week and with 60,000+ new managers, the cut-price Argentine is currently FPL’s most popular goalkeeping transfer target. Security of starts is also in his favour, given that his rival for a starting berth, Claudio Bravo, has been ruled out for the season through injury.

We have found further savings with two more budget rearguard assets in our team, with Southampton’s 5.5% owned Maya Yoshida (4.5) surviving today’s shakedown.

As with City, the Saints also have strong clean sheet prospects away to already-relegated Middlesbrough and home to a Manchester United team with their minds firmly fixed on their Europa League final on May 24.

Another budget defender who has earned a place is Rob Holding (4.0), who has excelled in Arsenal’s three-man defence and sits in a mere 2.0% of teams.

Arsene Wenger’s latest update on the fitness of Laurent Koscielny, who only has a “small chance” of playing away to Stoke on Saturday, has helped in our selection of the former Bolton centre-back.

Holding’s two shut-outs against Manchester United and Southampton in Gameweek 36 earned three bonus points to further strengthen his cause.

We decided to double up on Arsenal defenders, with Nacho Monreal (5.9) offering a far greater security of starts. The 5.9%-owned Spaniard has started Arsenal’s last ten, picking up four clean sheets, as well as an assist and maximum bonus against Leicester in Gameweek 34.

Our four-man backline is completed by Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen (5.8), who also takes on a Europa-focused Manchester United side, as well as facing a trip to Leicester. Given that the Foxes have found the net ten times in their last six, it is the Red Devils home clash where we are most confident of clean sheet returns for the 7.1%-owned Belgian.

The United match will be Spurs’ last at White Hart Lane which we think will give Mauricio Pochettinho’s troops added motivation – even if their Premier League title dreams are shattered by Chelsea securing top spot with a win at West Brom tonight.

The savings made by opting for a 4-3-3 line-up mean we can afford two of FPL’s most expensive and potentially explosive midfielders, Kevin De Bruyne (10.4) and Alexis Sanchez (11.6).

Of this premium pair, City’s schemer has the greater form, averaging 8.5 FPL points per match over his last four on the back of four assists and a goal. Little wonder, then, that De Bruyne is this week’s most popular midfield transfer target, acquired by over 95,000+ managers.

His Etihad opponents, West Brom and Leicester, have conceded seven times each over their last six to add to our confidence.

Arsenal’s top scorer may lack the same form, with two goals in eight, but he has far superior fixtures to merit his inclusion and a late surge into second place in our latest Captain Poll.

The 28.2%-owned Chilean travels to a Stoke side that has shipped eight in their last six, and then hosts a Sunderland team that has seen their net breached nine times over the same period.

When it comes to value in midfield, Bournemouth’s Josh King, who was initially priced at 5.5 and still only costs 6.2, is in a class of his own. He’s netted 15 times this campaign and a home tie against a Burnley outfit that has conceded 33 times on the road has ensured the Norwegian takes his place as one of only two single-Gameweek representatives in our XI.

The other is Romelu Lukaku (10.2), who has 16 goals at home and hosts a Watford side that has shipped 10 over their last four away trips. We are anticipating heartbreak for the 199,000+ FPL managers who have discarded him this week ahead of tonight’s Goodison Park clash.

The Toffees talisman forms part of an expensive three-man frontline that includes Harry Kane (11.7), who should still be motivated by a late charge for the Golden Boot regardless of Chelsea’s possible title wrap-up. With 21 strikes this season, the 19.9%-owned striker is currently just three behind Lukaku.

Given that only five of his goals have come on the road it is that White Hart Lane finale, against Manchester United, where we are most hopeful of returns.

However, as Leicester could be without Wes Morgan and possibly his central defensive partner Robert Huth due to injury, Kane’s visit to the King Power stadium could also prove fruitful.

Another forward that may benefit from the Foxes’ injury problems at the back is our captain poll leader Gabriel Jesus (8.9), who takes on Craig Shakespeare’s troops before the Baggies drop by next Tuesday.

The Manchester City striker’s four goals and two assists across seven matches suggest he will reward our faith. With a relatively modest 10.3% ownership, he looks a shrewd differential armband option for those chasing in their mini-leagues.

A trip to the Etihad following tonight’s visit from a title-charging Chelsea means we are not anticipating clean sheet returns for West Brom’s Craig Dawson (4.8). But with four goals this season, including a strike at Burnley last weekend, he is worth a bench role in our picks as Tony Pulis looks to utilise the 2.3%-owned defender’s threat at set-pieces for the Baggies’ tough pair of matches.

If, as expected, the Blues wrap up the title at The Hawthorns, our midfield substitute Cesc Fabregas (6.9) could be handed a start for the London side’s second fixture, at home to Watford. With 13 assists in just 11 starts, the Spanish creator looks primed for points should he be afforded more minutes. A mere 2.6% ownership makes him another potentially savvy differential option.

Our final substitute has motivation in abundance, even if he only has the single fixture. Swansea City desperately need to win at Sunderland to continue their fight to stay in the Premier League, so their 6.4%-owned Spanish striker Fernando Llorente (6.1) will need to maintain the fine recent form that has seen him score twice in his last three.

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.

Last week’s champion, Coleymc3, was beaten 80-55 by the Scouts.

This week’s champion, QPRUTD, has opted for a 3-4-3 line-up of: Cech; Alonso, Davies, Gibbs; Hazard, Sane, Son, Albrighton; Costa, Jesus, Kane.

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

  1. ☆Khaz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    a) Clichy + Hazard + Anichebe
    b) Holding + Fabregas + Jesus

    0.0 itb

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

      B

      1. ☆Khaz
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        thanks

    2. Magic Bean
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B all day

  2. Boss Hogg
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What's the Huth news?

    1. timmmuh
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Doubtful

  3. greghammer95
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I should know this lads BUT did Ake get any gametime at LWB for AFC Bournemouth!! 😀

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      CB

  4. TheBear
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Get rid of Gabbi or Lukaku for Jesus?

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

      Gabbi

  5. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ive had enough....ive been thinking for 2.5 hrs non stop now and going to take a -16 hit so will have 15 DGWers on my BB.....Im only young once! Nice to hope and believe!....

    Im doing Jaku/Holgate/Cook/King and Gabbi to
    Pick/Dawson/Stephens/Sane/Anichebe.......

    This leaves.....

    Cab/Pick
    Dawson/Monreal/Benalouane/Stephens/Yoshi
    San(c)hez/Alli/Hazard/Sane/Capoue
    Kane/Jesus/Anichebe

    What do you all think ???

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      no

    2. Creedey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Good team but how could u not plan for this?

      1. Creedey
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Dont fancy capoue, bena or dawson really

    3. SuperHam
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Holgate, King, Cook

      Can you do Jaku and Gabbi to Anichibe and Cech?

    4. seanpauldcu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jaku (3.03) to Pickford (6.21) = +3.18
      Holgate (4.00) to Dawson (3.97) = -0.03
      Cook (3.3) to Stephens (6.4) = +3.10
      King (5.19) to Sane (8.37) = +3.18
      Gabbi (6.87) to Anichebe (6.25) = -0.62

      +8.81 ovr gain less -16.00 transfer hit = -7.19 net loss. Probably only do Jaku-Pickford, Cook-Stephens and King-Sane if you can make it work funds wise but can understand the reasons for a Gabbi move with Austin back.

  6. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you prefer

    A Azpi holding ( no Chelsea def)
    B Kompany Gibbs ( already have cabbelero)

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Mick J
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Well, Azpi surely leaves you with a Chelsea defender, but he might get a rest against Watford if Chelsea win tonight, so I’d rather do B. Not sure whether Gibbs is a better pick than Holding, though.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

    3. zorro121
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

  7. FPLAdmiral
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    (A) Jakup + Mustafi

    or

    (B) DDG + Holding (-4)?

  8. ezaku
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I refused to get Capoue early in the season because I knew it wouldn't last, but I have him now and am counting on him. I feel dirty.

    1. greghammer95
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's the yellow in your team that makes it feel that way, imagine having Holebas too... *shrieks*

  9. Sid07
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Wally Pickford
    Alonso Stephens yoshida blind holgate
    Sanchz haz alli sane king
    Jesus Kane gabbidani

    2ft and BB active Suggestions ??

  10. RooneyforLife
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Sane hazard out for kdb eriksen?

    I have Jesus, Alli and Kane too.

    1. Prison Mike
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No way why would you want to take Sane out?

      1. RooneyforLife
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Bcoz I've Caba Jesus sane, to get kdb I've to remove sane

      2. Top 210 Club
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Sane home stats are dire, someone pointed out only 1 goal since GW 22, his away stats superior

    2. FPLAdmiral
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mental!

  11. djapebronx
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling to play both games from the start?

    1. v54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      one game

  12. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would you rather....

    A. Gabby Coutinho -> Jesus Albrighton
    B. Coutinho T.Carroll -> Sterling Albrighton
    C. Holgate -> Gibbs

    -4 for all three moves?

  13. Dbz91
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Worth a -12?

    Hazard, Alli, Ozil -----> De Bruyne, Sanchez, Fabregas?

    Chasing ML leader by 17 points..

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      *29 points now

  14. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    #BembaIsDinnery

  15. Viper
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Was just about to dump Koscielny.

    Reports suggest he has travelled.

    Now what do I do 😆

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Snap. I'm holding 😉

    2. KUNingas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping

    3. timmmuh
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Still moving him out for Monreal - too risky

    4. Chucky
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping for sure

    5. zorro121
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping and praying

    6. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      keep and pray. if he doesnt start v stoke he wont start v sunderland tho

  16. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Okay so I'm on the move and busy busy. Is there any news from today that means I shouldn't do Hazard to de Bruyne?

  17. Jimmy Boy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will Holding start both Arsenal games???

    1. Arsène Around
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'll text him now

  18. Waylander
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Bertrand and Matic (already have Yoshida)

    OR

    B) Otamendi/Vertoghen and Ndidi (already have Cabellero)

    Cheers guys 🙂

  19. @chapellefpl OR 577TH
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I take it with the kos news the scouts would not have picked holding?

    1. FPLAdmiral
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      What's the Kosc news?

    2. FPL ElasticO
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      What do you mean?? Kosc will start both the matches...

      1. jurgenklopp.8
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        doubt it

  20. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Are these transfers worth doing, as looking for assured starters??? for -8

    Hazard >> KDB
    Gabbi >> Jesus
    Kosc >> Holding

    1. zorro121
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Holding's not assured

  21. dhamphiir
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which duo is better?
    A. Mustafi and David Silva
    B. Monreal and Sane

    1. *sigh*
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

  22. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Need to do something with Ox, foolishly got him in before midweek game...

    A) Ox/Gabbiadini > Ramsey/Anichebe (big punt that Ramsey will deliver)

    or

    B) Ox/Yoshida > King/Holding (reluctant as sold King for Ox..)

  23. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Bemba for president

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      If it means no Theresa May, he can be PM too 🙂

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      OMG

  24. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would u rather have

    Jesus Gabbi haz

    Or

    Costa Jesus fab

    (2)

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2

  25. jurgenklopp.8
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Suddenly have a massive urge to get Studge in!!!! Someone stop me!

  26. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hebknut's ranking is gonna drop like a rock after this GW

  27. BenjaminFlow
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which defender to get in for Robertson with FT?

    Current defence:

    Cech, Caballero

    Alonso, Vertonghen, Yoshida, Stephens

  28. dmteam
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    2

  29. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain?

    Hazard
    Jesus
    Sanchez

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez

  30. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Holgate to Holding? Yay or nay?

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes for FT

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No