Scout Picks
8 September 2017 1389 comments
J0E J0E
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The time has come to reveal the players who have made the cut from our midweek squad article to earn a place in our Gameweek 4 Scout Picks.

We’ve opted for a Burnley double-up this week to tap into both their defensive and attacking prospects. Crystal Palace drop by Turf Moor  in search of their first win and having shipped six goals over the first three fixtures.

Tom Heaton (5.0) offers us the chance of clean sheet points against an Eagles side that has also yet to find the net. There is also potential for extra points in selecting the 7.5%-owned Clarets stopper, given that he has picked up save points in two of his three matches to date.

Another side to concede six goals this campaign is Leicester City, which gives us hope that Marcos Alonso (7.1) can deliver attacking returns when his Chelsea side visit the King Power stadium.

The 20.5%-owned Spanish left wing-back’s brace in this fixture last season gives us further confidence, as do his eight shots this campaign, which is more than any other defender.

Southampton suddenly have a wealth of centre backs to choose from, with the places of Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida under threat from new signing Wesley Hoedt and Virgil Van Dijk, who has returned to first team training after putting in a transfer request over the summer.

This has seen us turn to their full-backs, and with our Scout Picks cost coming in under the 83 million budget, we have enough to afford left-back Ryan Bertrand (5.5) over counterpart Cedric Soares (5.0). Both are sure starters, but the 15.5%-owned England international has the slight edge for us due to superior bonus point potential, having notched two already.

Our defensive trio is completed by Manchester United’s Phil Jones (5.1). Given his suspension for the Red Devils’ midweek Champions League encounter, he looks a shoo-in to start for his side’s trip to Stoke City.

With two goals from 36 shots so far, the Potters could present the England centre-back with his sternest test yet this campaign.

The second Claret to earn a place for Palace’s visit is their set-piece specialist Robbie Brady (5.5). He’s fired off seven shots and delivered more successful corners than any other player. It is worth noting that the Irishman’s corner-taking prowess also boosts the appeal of Burnley defender Ben Mee, who has already had four close range efforts this season.

There’s further value to be found in the inclusion of West Ham’s Michail Antonio (7.5) for his side’s first home match of the season against a pressing Huddersfield outfit that may struggle to adapt to the extra space provided by the vast London Stadium surface.

Five shots from two starts suggest that the winger – who sits in just 0.5% of teams – could prosper against the newly-promoted Terriers.

Spurs’ visit to Everton looks potentially tough for their attacking players, given that the home side kept eight clean sheets last season at Goodison Park. As a result, we have opted against investing in Spurs’ 12.4m-priced striker Harry Kane and instead picked his cheaper team-mate Christian Eriksen (9.6).

With eight goals and 16 assists last season, and assisting three of his side’s four goals this campaign, the 21.8%-owned Dane looks the man most likely to deliver should Spurs score and get the better of Everton’s resolute back line. A stunning free-kick for Denmark against Armenia this week also reminded us of his potential from dead-balls.

Manchester City may have conceded fewer shots in the box than any other side this season, but history suggests that Liverpool attacking coverage will be needed this week – in their last six match-ups the Reds have scored 12 times, while City have only managed four goals.

This is reinforced by today’s news that Pep Guardiola’s side will be without the substantial influence of skipper Vincent Kompany in defence.

So Mo Salah’s 9.0 price tag, coupled with an impressive tally of two goals and as many assists, wins him a place over his more expensive team-mate Sadio Mane (9.5).

Captain Poll leader Romelu Lukaku (11.7) unsurprisingly occupies one of our forward slots after scoring seven goals for Manchester United and Belgium since mid-August. While he travels to a Stoke City side with a reputation for being stubborn at the Bet365 stadium, they will be without their skipper Ryan Shawcross, forcing Mark Hughes to reshuffle his three-man backline.

Fixture has trumped form in our selection of Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette (10.4). While he has an enticing home encounter with a Bournemouth side without a win or clean sheet this season, the Gunners’ confidence is at a low. Their 4-0 away defeat to Liverpool last time out highlighted their problems, but at least the French striker emerged largely blameless, having started that game on the bench.

A start looks guaranteed for the former Lyon striker, who has been discarded by 113,000+ FPL managers since Gameweek 3, as Arsene Wenger’s troops look to recover from the Anfield mauling.

Swansea City’s Tammy Abraham (5.5) completes our starting XI as he takes on a Newcastle United at the Liberty Stadium. The 3.3%-owned Chelsea loanee opened his scoring account and picked up two bonus points away to Palace in Gameweek 3. He also notched for England U21’s in midweek to underline his potential ahead of the Magpies’ visit.

Brighton’s failure to sign a striker in the transfer window means that their attack-minded defenders and midfielders will need to step up. This includes their 1.4%-owned centre back Lewis Dunk (4.5), who earns a substitutes spot for the Seagulls’ home tie with West Brom, having recorded five penalty area shots, more than any other defender so far.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey (7.0) also grabs a place on the bench for the Cherries’ visit. The Welshman’s eight goal attempts is more than any other Arsenal player, which suggests he is primed to hurt the 34,000+ FPL managers who have discarded him since Gameweek 3.

Our tentative optimism in a strong showing from West Ham against Huddersfield on Monday night has prompted us to hand our final substitute spot to Chicharito Hernandez (7.1), who scored a brace and was awarded maximum bonus points away to Southampton in Gameweek 2. With 130,000+ transfers-out since Gameweek 3, he looks to be another with the potential to punish.

The 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.

This week’s champion is Darth_Krid, who has opted for a 4-3-3 line up of: Fabianski; Alonso, Bertrand, Valencia, Bellerin; Ozil, Eriksen, Tadic; Lukaku, Firmino, Hernandez.

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

  1. Stinglikeabee
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Evening all

    Not a very exciting choice but help needed to decide.

    Should I start either

    A Zanka - West away
    Or
    B Fosu-Mensah Burnley away

    1. Oscarman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Do I have to choose? Probably Zanka.

  2. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    For this week only, Eriksen or Alli?

    1. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Erik

    2. acidicleo
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      E

    3. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Eriksen

  3. Rik Waller
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Pick the best one:

    A - Alonso Pogba Firmino Morata
    B - Bavies Eriksen Lukaku Chica

    1. acidicleo
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      tight but a slightly wins for me

    2. Daywalker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I think is definitely A.

    3. Rik Waller
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      A comes with that risk of no Lukaku

  4. Daywalker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    WC.

    Ok?

    Foster - Elliot
    Alonso - Jones - S. Ward - Lowe - Naughton
    Alli - Mkhitaryan - Salah - Chalobah - RLC
    Morata - Lukaku - Firmino

  5. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Three best 4.6 or less defenders? Mee, Naughton and?

    1. yusuffhafiz
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      any huddersfield defender. schindler and lowe score lots of bps.

  6. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    What would you do?

    A) Commit to Alonso, no Kane. Only Eriksen

    B) Commit to Eriksen and Alli, no Kane

    C) Commit to only Eriksen with 2.7 ITB to upgrade to Kane next week

    1. Oscarman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't double up on Alli and Eriksen, I'd find a way to get Kane.

  7. klavan
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    On WC
    A) Sanchez (C) +Dunk
    B) Salah+Kolasinac+1.4m ITB (Kane captain)

    current defence is: Alonso, Jones, Cedric, Naughton

    1. Oscarman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone but Sanchez.

  8. Oscarman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Always wildcard at the first international break, usually to play the market and build team value (backfired). GTG or go to bed!

    Foster / Elliot
    P Jones / Davies / Cedric / Gomez / Naughton
    Mane / Pogba / Salah / Carroll / Brady
    Kane / Abraham / Lukaku

  9. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hey all,

    1. Bench one of Stephens, Naughton, Dawson
    2. Gabbi > Firmino? Gabbi looks a good shout this week.
    3. Carroll > 7.5m? Who?

    Cheers in advance

    1. Oscarman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      1. Stephens
      2. No
      3. Antonio

  10. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    What's Marks WC team looking like today? Can't find anything on the FPL show

  11. GreenArrows
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Thought on Jesus > Morata?

    Other strikers are Lukaku and Firmino

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me

  12. The Cherry Picker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Mbemba? Is he still worth having as a 4.0 on a WC?

    1. ratski
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Hard one, but I figured even if he just sits on my bench it allows further upgrades elsewhere

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah understood, but is it not better to have someone's who doesn't have a hamstring injury?
      How long is he out for anyway?

  13. ratski
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    This is the best I could do....
    Foster, Elliot
    Jones, Davies, naughton, (Francis , mbemba)
    Eriksen, salah, mane, pogba, (chab)
    Morata, lukaku, Abraham

    Is it worth downgrading one of the Liverpool mods to get alonso in?

  14. MiguelAngel
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Please advise, cheers....
    A) JWP > Brady
    B) Danilo > Naughton
    C) Willian > Pogba
    D) Danilo & Willian > Naughton & Salah -4

  15. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Gtg?

    DDG
    Davies Mee Yoshida
    Eriksen Alli Pogba Willian
    Lukaku Firmino(c) Chicharito

    Elliott Chalobah Stephens TAA

  16. FPL Canuck
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    GW4+ Rubix cube: 1FT + 1.7m in the bank. Curious how you would solve it (team at bottom)...
    Area of concern: midfield, especially Willian/Ramsey although I feel Ramsey is safer for now. Faith in my front line.
    Kolasinac? Great fixture at home, may reap the rewards of Sanchie's return. But if benched again it's a waste.
    Transfer thoughts:
    1. Kola to Jones + Willian to Eriksen/Mane (-4)
    2. Bertrand to Jones + Willian to Salah (-4)
    3. Kola to Alonso
    4. Leave as is, 2FT next wee;
    ----
    Foster/Elliot
    Kola/Yoshi/Bertrand/Naughton/Mee
    Mkhi/Ramsey/Willian/Atsu/Carroll
    Kane/Lukaku/Firmino

  17. Lrf
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hi everyone.

    Been struggeling alot with my WC. Should I have Kane or not.. ATM this is what I'm on, any thoughts?

    Foster, Elliot
    Alonso, Jones, Cedric, Naughton, Mee
    Alli, Mané, Pogba, Silva, Loftus-Cheek
    Lukaku, Firmino, Abraham

  18. The Cherry Picker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    I'm really torn between Alli and Erik right now? Help?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      The guy banned from CL, possibly international football too.

    2. Scout
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Eriksen I would go for

    3. stumanchuu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I like Alli

  19. tommo123
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    G2G???????

    Foster
    Dawson Bailly Cedric
    Salah Eriksen Pogba Willian
    Gabi Lukaku Morata

    Elliott Carrol Rangel Dummet

    1. Averagejoe92
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      There's a chance Willian may not start after international break. Other than him G2G!

  20. Averagejoe92
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Eriksen v Alli

    Not just for this GW, but who would have the biggest return over the first half of the season at least??

  21. Scout
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    A B or C

    A Mane Rooney chicharito- morata firmino mooy
    B pogba Rooney - morata mooy
    C mane rooter- morata mooy and firmino following week

    A loses 8pts
    B and C lose 4 Pts I'm edging towards a but what are your thoughts?
    Current mid is mane mkhi pogba eriksen

  22. Goonerette
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Thought I'd change it up.. What are your thoughts?

    Mee Kosalinac Naughton (Cedric Daniels)
    Richarlison Mooy Salah Alli (Mata)
    Firmino Lukaku (C) Lacazette (VC)

    Thanks!

  23. bashtag
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Any comments much appreciated on this WC team:

    Elliot Foster
    Mee Naughton Cedric Simpson schindler
    Mane Ali Pogba Ramsey knockaert
    Morata Lukaku Jrod

  24. stumanchuu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    2 ft - not sure what to do.

    A ) KDB / Jesus out - Kane (c) and antonio in
    B KDB out and Mhki / Pogba in and further figure out next week and start Jesus
    C) something else with $ for KDB and Jesus

    thanks

  25. Rex Banner
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Could someone help me out please. On a WC and losing sleep over it.

    My current team is

    Naughton, Cedric, alonso, blind
    Mhki, Antonio, mane
    Kane, morata, firminio

    Bench cork, Carroll, mbmemba

    Or go Antonio, mane, Cedric, firminio ---> hazard, mo salah, Davies, Abraham

    Just a note I'm a huge fan of hazard and reckon he'll be essential

  26. Tansey
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Transfer in Mane or Eriksen?

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      That's a tough one. Mane will probably outscore Eriksen by the end of the season, just.

  27. SUPER MOKH
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Start JRod (bha) or Stephens (WAT)?

  28. KanteTouchThis
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Please choose:

    a) Hazard + Davies
    b) Alli + Azpi

    Thanks in advance

  29. Hudson89
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Current team

    Foster
    Yoshida, Jones, Hegazi, Naughton
    Salah, Pogba, Eriksen
    Morata, Lukaku, Firmino (c)

    Keep Firmino as captain?

    Also Brady, Xhaka or R.Sanches?

  30. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Am I GTG or is there something I could do? I've got £1.5 itb. Thanks guys, good luck.

    Foster
    Cedric Hegazi Jones Alonso
    Mkhi Brady Eriksen
    Lukaku(C) Chich Kane(V)

    Lossl Carroll Chalobah TFM