The Scout Squad – Gameweek 8

The Scouts make a return. Our resident selection panel went into the international break with a chunky win over Gameweek 7’s Community Champion tucked into their belt of Fantasy knowledge.

They’re now looking to build momentum with another victory this week, zeroeing in on some tantalising match-ups, while mostly avoiding the Gameweek’s clash of the titans.

Key home fixtures for Manchester City and Spurs, together with Chelsea’s trip to the not-so glittering Crystal Palace, inform many of their decisions. Manchester United at Liverpool does not.

And budget enablers from Swansea City, Burnley and Brighton sit alongside some of the bigger Fantasy Premier League names to balance the books.

We’ll be back at the end of the week to see who makes the final cut. In the meantime, here are their initial thoughts.

Paul Says…

Spurs, Man City and Chelsea dominate my squad and supply three outfield players apiece.

Five goals in as many league outings highlight Raheem Sterling’s value for money at a cost of just 7.9. His pitch-time could be key at home to Stoke City – the England star has played 90 minutes in three of his last four, whereas Gabriel Jesus has yet to make it past the hour-mark in City’s home matches so far.

Chelsea’s trip to Palace brings Marcos Alonso back into contention. Given that the Eagles have conceded almost twice the number of chances down their right flank (34 to 18), the Spaniard and, potentially, Eden Hazard – should Antonio Conte return to 3-4-3 – could profit at Selhurst Park.

Leicester’s Harry Maguire offers the prospect of points at both ends of the pitch at home to a West Brom side that’s scored just once on their travels.

He’s already racked up a goal and two assists and has  21 points from three appearances at the King Power.

Jonty Says…

I’ve swerved assets from both Manchester United and Liverpool ahead of their hard-to-call Anfield encounter on Saturday lunchtime.

With no place for pricey Scout Picks’ stalwart Romelu Lukaku in my selection, this gives me a chance to put forward a raft of premium midfielders for consideration.

Eden Hazard’s brace for his country this week acted as a powerful reminder of the Belgian maestro’s potent threat. With Alvaro Morata sidelined, he could even be deployed in a central attacking role against a woeful Palace.

Should my colleagues shun another of my picks, Gabriel Jesus, I’d be keen to see a Manchester City midfield double-up involving chief creator David Silva and Raheem Sterling, who is second only to the injured Sergio Aguero in terms of goals and shots among Pep Guardiola’s charges.

In defence, I’m advocating spending big, with a Chelsea pick looking a must against the goalless Eagles. My top choice is Cesar Azpiliceuta, who has assists and bonus in his locker. I’d also be happy enough to see the slightly cheaper David Luiz handed a place.

But I’m not getting too carried away with our new-found wealth, ensuring that I’ve also put forward some bargains to ease the pressure on our 83 million budget.

In attack, Jamie Vardy looks good value for his 8.6 price tag, with five goals already and a clash with a West Brom side that may struggle to contain his attacking threat – particularly in the air.

His team-mate, Harry Maguire (5.1), is another with excellent potential given that he has already prospered over a nightmare run that has included match-ups with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Burnley are also a supplier of budget enablers ahead of West Ham’s visit, with defender Stephen Ward (4.6) racking up 30 points over his last four starts. Chris Wood’s 6.6 price tag may also come in handy should we decide to invest heavily in midfield and defence.

Finally, Mark’s talk of the 5.0-priced Solly March as a budget enabler on this week’s Scoutcast is something I also endorse heartily as a Brighton fan.

Peter Says…

We will all be scouring international match reports and transcripts of domestic press conferences judiciously before Saturday’s deadline.

The break served up the usual cloak and dagger shenanigans regarding “international” injuries and bona fide ones, as well as forcing devoted FPL managers to utilise Google Maps to ascertain levels of fatigue.

With that extensive caveat in place, there are undoubtedly some stand-out match-ups this week at the beginning of a fixture swing which has already seen over 111,000 Wildcards activated.

Just how many assets to choose from Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs will be the main issue. My selections from these premium teams aren’t always the most expensive options, simply because we will need to apply some sort of financial prudence.

Admittedly, Gabriel Jesus may find his minutes are managed, but he is surely worth the gamble.

To balance the books, Leicester, Southampton and Swansea all offer options, particularly defensively.

Jamie Vardy has kept pace with all of his more pricey peers and comes in, although West Brom’s typically defensive approach – only six shots on target in three away games – perhaps suggests a double-up on Kasper Schmeichel and Harry Maguire could be just as lucrative.

On a similar note, while Southampton can’t seem to buy a goal, visitors Newcastle have only hit the net once on their travels and I still have faith that Cedric Soares’s attacking threat will at some point be rewarded.

Despite their recent run of clean sheets, injury doubts surround Arsenal’s backline, so Richarlison has already found his way into nearly 100,000 new teams this week and seems worth the gamble at that bargain 6.1 price.

Mark Says…

Compiling my selection, I think it’s already obvious that Friday’s picks will be set up with a four-man defence. In fact, there’s even an argument to go with five given the returns we’ve seen from defenders so far.

Gameweek 8 provides us with many compelling backline candidates with my top trio of Ben Davies, Marcos Alonso and Nicolas Otamendi looking assured targets, promising clean sheet returns at the very least.

In contrast, the choice in midfield remains surprisingly limited.

I’ve opted for Eden Hazard in my top three but, in truth, he’s barely done enough to warrant Scout Picks inclusion. If he gets the nod, it will have more to do with his opponents Crystal Palace than his own form and fitness.

I’m sticking with Dele Alli. His recent output is a little worrying, but then so is Christian Eriksen’s propensity to give up set-pieces to Davies, and the fact that he is surely destined to be limited to another 70-minute appearance with a tie with Real Madrid looming.

Elsewhere in midfield, the fact that Aaron Ramsey is again among my nominations demonstrates that we’re struggling for convincing mid-price options.

Up front, the candidates are stronger, and I’m still advocating a powerful tri-force set-up, with Romelu Lukaku remaining in the mix.

His impressive strike for Belgium on Tuesday highlighted his confidence levels, and I think Manchester United will continue to find a way of keeping him fed at Anfield, even if Jose Mourinho deploys a more cautious gameplan.

The Community Champion

Representing the Community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek will be Mince n Tatties, who is in his seventh campaign, with 2015/16’s finish of 9,785 his best to date.

The Community Champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2017/18 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Gameweek 7’s champion Ringwraith was beaten 48-74 by the Scouts.

The champion to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.