The Scout Squad – Gameweek 21

Our Community Champions might get Christmas off, but there’s no such rest for the wicked, so our ‘expert’ panel is back to run the rule over Gameweek 21’s big boys and bargains.

Career Hall of Famer Peter Kouwenberg and our trio of Fantasy Football Scout regulars are having to make do without Spurs or West Ham players this weekend, which means the forward picks, in particular, will be open to some interpretation.

Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea all have strong home fixtures, so it’s no surprise to see players from all three sides well represented across the positions.

Man City’s New Year’s Eve trip to Crystal Palace also catches the Scouts’ eyes, although the Harry Kane-shaped hole up front doesn’t look like being filled by one of the league leaders’ forwards.

We’ll be back ahead of the weekend to reveal who has made the final cut.

In the meantime, here are the quartet’s longlists and the logic, or otherwise, behind each and every decision.

Paul Says…

All five of the top six sides set to feature in Gameweek 21 have favourable fixtures.

Along with the usual suspects, Andrew Robertson comes in for Liverpool’s home match with Leicester City.

Over the last six Gameweeks, the left-back is among the top three defenders in the final third for touches, passes received and successful passes.

That bodes well against a Leicester defence that have conceded more chances (93) and crosses (263) down their right flank than any other side.

Similarly, Swansea City’s defensive data helps Richarlison’s prospects of finding the scoresheet for the first time since Gameweek 12.

Away from home, the Welsh side sit third bottom for shots conceded in the box (107), while only West Ham have allowed more efforts on target (63 to 58).

In spite of his recent drought, only four players have fired more shots in the box than Richarlison over the last four Gameweeks – a total of 11 is level with the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Roberto Firmino.

Up top, both Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette served up season-high hauls against their respective weekend opponents when they first faced them back in Gameweek 6.

Morata plundered 17 points away to a Stoke City outfit that arrives at Stamford Bridge with the league’s worst defensive record, shipping 41 goals already.

And Lacazette delivered 13 points against West Bromwich Albion ahead of Arsenal’s trip to The Hawthorns.

Jonty Says…

The absence of Harry Kane’s 12.9 million fee should free up vital funds to invest in strong options across each position.

In particular I’d like to use the opportunity to ensure we tap into the in-form assets of Liverpool and Manchester City.

My favoured Reds options have to include Mohamed Salah, who has an eye-popping 15 goals and seven assists this season, and Firmino, who has scored a highly impressive four goals, as well as assisting a further two, in just his last three league run-outs.

Both were substituted early in Gameweek 20, which indicates they should start. A 90-minute shift against the Swans means the same cannot be said for Philippe Coutinho, so I’ve reluctantly left him out.

The City strikers seem off limits while Pep Guardiola’s tinkering continues. As a result, I’m opting instead to spend money on their top scorer Raheem Sterling and the twin threat of centre-back Nicolas Otamendi who, as we’ve seen, can produce points with his work in both penalty areas.

It’s a case of fixture trumping form in my selection of three Chelsea players. While the Blues have only scored three in their last three matches, their home clash with Stoke looks too good to ignore.

The Potters have conceded more big chances (28) on the road than any other side, which indicates that Morata, Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso should prosper.

Among my early January sales bargains are Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, who was dropped from the starting line-up in Gameweek 20, but still managed to score a brace after being introduced in the second half.

Since becoming a regular starter in Gameweek 14, he has made a mockery of his lowly 6.1 price tag, notching six goals and two assists.

Newcastle assets also offer strong value this week.

Rafa Benitez fielded a weakened side against Manchester City last night, clearly with an eye on this weekend’s winnable home clash with fellow promoted side Brighton.

One of stopper Rob Elliot (4.1) or defender Jamaal Lascelles (4.6) looks ideal for our 84 million budget, particularly as the Seagulls have only scored five times on their travels, with only Crystal Palace scoring fewer (4).

Peter Says…

It’s going to be a blessed relief omitting Kane this week without fear of reprisals, although my ongoing struggle to find five reliable strikers won’t be helped as he puts his golden boots up for a well-earned rest.

Of course, our selections this Gameweek, probably more than any other except for the final round of matches, will be hit by rotation, a fact which plays a key part in my choices.

I would anticipate that any early team news will have a huge bearing on the final Scout selections.

My own investment in Hazard and Morata has not paid dividends recently, but you’ve got to fancy the Blues to punish a Stoke defence which is looking as threadbare as, well, the last time the Potters took on Chelsea (and were hit for four).

The mandatory triple-up on Manchester City players is particularly challenging after the midweek readjustments.

Although Pep has favoured Sergio Aguero heavily recently, I think Gabriel Jesus may finally get a start, but then again none of us really know.

Injuries at the back mean that Otamendi should retain his berth.

The final slot is a tricky one, but Kevin De Bruyne has been steadily returning points all season.

I’m torn between Arsenal and Manchester United as the final source of premium players, but having written this before Arsenal’s visit to Selhurst Park, I’ve reluctantly boarded the Lingard bandwagon and concluded that even Romelu Lukaku’s waning powers should be enough to overcome the infinitely moveable object that is the Southampton defence.

I’ve written off both the clash at the John Smith’s Stadium and Brighton’s visit to St James’ Park as no score draws and thrown in a sprinkling of budget defensive players from these sides, so get your cash on double-figure thrillers in both games.

Mark Says…

I feel that we have to build the Scout Picks around Chelsea’s meeting with Stoke and go from there.

Like Mark Hughes, I’ve been trying to piece together the Potters’ likely line-up and think that we could see a makeshift centre-back pairing, reinforced by two young full-backs.

The only conclusion I can draw is that Chelsea will waltz to a comfortable victory and, as long as they can deal with Peter Crouch at set-plays, it should come packaged with a clean sheet.

Alonso, Hazard and Morata are therefore shoo-ins.

Elsewhere, we can’t ignore Salah or Sterling and with Firmino the obvious partner for Morata up front, it seems that we’re looking at a 3-5-2 come Friday evening.

Lingard should earn selection then, having surely convinced Jose Mourinho that he has to earn a recall to help spark a semblance of attacking verve against a listless Southampton.

I’ll be pushing for Victor Lindelof’s inclusion for that game.

I just don’t see Phil Jones’ fragile frame being rolled out for two matches in three days, so if we’re convinced that Southampton blank at Old Trafford, I feel that we have to look to the Swede who missed out on Boxing Day.

The Community Champion

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 19’s champion THFCLIFE was beaten 59-54 by the Scouts.

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

The Community Champion competition is continuing its festive break and will return for Gameweek 23.