Scout Picks
31 December 2017 2274 comments
Paul Paul
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Just hours after the previous round of fixtures came to an end, we turn our attentions to the first double Gameweek of 2017/18.

As the only teams to play twice, Spurs and West Ham dominate our selection, though we also go all in on Manchester City as they look for a repeat of their 6-0 win over Watford.

Priced at 4.3, Adrian offers a budget route between the posts for West Ham’s pair of matches.

The home clash against a West Brom side that have scored three goals in seven under Alan Pardew clearly looks the Hammers’ likeliest source of a clean sheet, considering that have recently kept out Arsenal and Chelsea at the London Stadium.

He should at least offer the prospect of save points away to Spurs – the Spaniard has five of those in six under David Moyes and has averaged 4.2 points per match since the new manager came in.

Mauricio Pochettino’s penchant for rotation in the full-back positions brings Jan Vertonghen into our XI.

One of only two players to start every league fixture for Spurs this term, the Belgian is ranked third among team-mates in the Bonus Points System (BPS) and could profit from bonus if they keep a clean sheet.

First up, he visits a Swansea outfit that have scored two goals in their last five at the Liberty Stadium, before facing the Hammers on Thursday as Spurs look for a fifth shut-out in front of their own fans.

Meanwhile, Brighton’s Shane Duffy entertains Bournemouth on the back of three clean sheets in four at the Amex Stadium.

The Cherries have struggled to find the net on their travels, scoring in only four of 10 away matches, which includes three blanks in their previous four.

Duffy also has the edge over fellow centre-half Lewis Dunk for both shots in the box (17 to 15) and clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI), by 223 to 196, underlining his points potential.

Nicolas Otamendi comes in for Man City’s home encounter with Watford.

The Argentine claimed 12 points in a 6-0 win over the Hornets back in Gameweek 5, scoring his first of four goals in the romp at Vicarage Road.

That penchant for points at both ends of the pitch could profit once again at the Etihad on Tuesday night – after helping secure his side’s eleventh clean sheet of the campaign at Palace, he hosts an attack with just nine shots on target in their last four fixtures.

A recent move up front has boosted Marko Arnautovic’s Fantasy potential ahead of West Ham’s double.

The Austrian has bagged five goals in as many matches, racking up 41 points across Gameweek 16-20. Ranked among the top five players for both shots (19) and efforts in the box (13) over that period, he’ll fancy his chances at home to a West Brom side with two clean sheets on their travels.

While the trip to Spurs holds less allure, it’s worth noting that Pochettino’s side have one clean sheet in their last four at Wembley, while the Hammers have scored three times in each of their last two road trips.

Hammers playmaker Manuel Lanzini also earns a place in our selection for the pair of fixtures.

Overshadowed by Arnautovic’s recent goal spree, the Argentine’s creative endeavours remain vital to West Ham – indeed, both players have been involved in 56% of their goals when on the pitch since Moyes arrived.

Over his last four league outings, Lanzini has supplied four assists and created three big chances for team-mates – only three players have managed more. He could also be back on penalty kicks should Mark Noble miss out through injury.

Brighton’s Pascal Gross entertains a Bournemouth side that have conceded more goals (12) than any other over their respective last four matches. The German produced 11 points in his previous outing at the Amex Stadium – his third double-digit haul at home – and, when on the pitch, has played a part in 70% of the Seagulls’ goals in front of their own fans.

Christian Eriksen is our preferred Spurs midfielder for the double. First up, he travels to a Swansea side that have conceded 14 times in the last five, while midweek visitors West Ham have shipped three goals to both Newcastle and Bournemouth in their last two in the league.

After disappointing over the autumn period, the Dane is back in form and has upped his consistency, producing attacking returns in five of the last six. His ability to deliver goals or assists earns the playmaker the nod ahead of Dele Alli and Son Heung-min.

Afforded a sub role at Selhurst Park as his run of 10 straight starts came to an end, Raheem Sterling looks set to be unleashed from the start at home to Watford’s struggling defence.

Four goals and three assists in his last four starts, with three successive double-digit hauls, is indicative of the England international’s current form. Like Otamendi, Sterling also found the net against the Hornets earlier in the season.

Despite the concerns over illness, Harry Kane has to be in our starting lineup.

The Spurs striker arrives in his most prolific form of the season, delivering back-to-back hat-tricks and 17-point hauls against Burnley and Southampton.

Bearing in mind that only four players have scored more than 17 points in any single Gameweek, Kane’s ability to deliver explosive returns means that he is one of the very few players still worth the gamble in a double even if restricted to just a single fixture.

Sergio Aguero now looks a secure starter at home to Watford after Gabriel Jesus limped off injured at Selhurst Park earlier today.

The Argentine served up three goals and an assist against the Hornets back in Gameweek 5 to return 20 FPL points – the highest individual haul of the season so far.

Having scored twice and returned 16 points against Bournemouth in his last outing at the Etihad, Aguero looks poised to get among the goals again.

Harry Maguire is one of two Leicester players to warm the bench at home to Huddersfield. The Terriers have failed to score in seven of their last nine on the road, while Maguire’s forages forward have already produced two goals and four assists for the Foxes.

Riyad Mahrez joins team-mate Maguire among our substitutes. With a goal or assist in seven of his last eight, the Algerian entertains a defence that’s without a clean sheet in seven away matches, conceding 18 goals over that run.

Glenn Murray takes our final spot. Replaced just after the hour-mark at Newcastle, he’s played just 74 minutes in the last three matches and looks likely to retain his role on the teamsheet against Bournemouth. The visitors’ aforementioned porous defence could allow the Seagulls’ top scorer to add to his five-goal tally so far.

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2,274 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. waldo666
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Lukaku and Sane to Kane and Arnie for free, do it now before price changes or wait it out?

    1. waldo666
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hmmm just saw Salah is definitely out this week? Could transfer him to Arnie instead but have allot of value tied up.

    2. Lloyd Xmas
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Now

  2. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A. (-4)
    Pope
    Christensen Jones Duffy Ogbonna
    Eriksen Salah Coutinho Arnautovic
    Kane Aguero
    (Elliot RLC Kenny DCL)

    B. (Free hit)
    Adrian
    Otamendi Maguire Duffy
    Eriksen Son Sterling Arnautovic Lanzini
    Kane Aguero
    (4.0 Dunk Quaner Long)

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I'm wavering over something very similar to B. Can't decide.

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I.e.

      A. (-4)
      Pope
      Christensen Jones Ogbonna
      Salah Coutinho
      (Elliot RLC Kenny DCL)

      B. (Free hit)
      Adrian
      Otamendi Maguire
      Son Sterling Lanzini
      (4.0 Dunk Quaner Long)

  3. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Happy New Year from Poland!!

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Same to you from Ireland 🙂

  4. DJDave1979
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Salah confirmed out means I feel a bit better about my wildcard.

    1. Bruin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Has he been confirmed out?

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      He isnt confirmed out.. just knock and might still play?

  5. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Fernando Llorente is been seriously overlooked.

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Dont think he starts even if Kane is out. Might work well for the FH chip though

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Gametime not assured. I would be surprised if he got more than 60min combined for the dgw

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Same can be said for Harry.

    3. GPV
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Poch more likely to put Son up front with Lamela coming in if Kane is out for the first game. I think Son is being overlooked... him, Erik and Kane on my free hit team 🙂

  6. Don Kloppeone
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed

    G2G or take another hit (on -4 atm) to take out Salah for someone?

    Or free hit?

    DDG
    Vertonghen, Alonso, Otamendi, Ogbonna
    Son (VC), Sterling, Salah*, Arnie
    Kane (C), Firmino

    (Elliot, Duffy, DCL, Carroll)

    Think I’m saving Triple Captain for a less risky DGW

    What do you think?

  7. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Got Cresswell, Arnie, Son & Kane (c)

    Worth -8 Salah to Eriksen??

    1. Kenny Dogleash
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Too much I reckon.

    2. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Depends when u bought Salah. If at 9mil, no way sell.

  8. Weasel51
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Cout > Alli (-4)???

    1. Kenny Dogleash
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No.

    2. Luton_Fan
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. Peggi
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      yes

  9. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Who scores more..

    A) Richarlison (mci a)
    B) Arnautovic (wba h, tot a) and -4

    1. Paris Ganja Man
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B, just

  10. Paris Ganja Man
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    For one week only (Free Hit)

    A.) Danilo
    B.) Maguire

    1. Lee8686
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

  11. the axolotl
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    to be fair did puncheon really need to karate sweep KDB? why didn't he just tap his ankles?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      because woy is actually cobra kai sensei

  12. Kenny Dogleash
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best West Ham defence option?

    1. Nightf0x
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      ogbonna

    2. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Masuaku. Assist threat.

  13. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    i went alli and lanzini instead of son eriksen arnie, i hope i wont regret it

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      different, could work out

      1. Nightf0x
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        actually arnie doesnt convince me, all the fear from the inform son

  14. UnitedFan
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Captains? RP.

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kane

  15. Rossini87
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    On a WC. Should I pick Son instead of Sterling for this game week, then transfer to Sterling for GW23? - I have £0 ITB based on the below, so I'd be taking the risk on Sterling's price rising with Son at £8m & Sterling at £8.8.

    DDG
    Otamendi-Christiansen-Vertonghen-Ogbonna
    Salah-Eriksen-Sterling-Arnautovic
    Kane(TC)-Firmino

    Elliot-Carroll-Taylor-Quaner

  16. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Repost again sorry
    For the love od god, is this okay: Rooney,KDB,Salah and Jones--->Kane(C),Son,Arnie and Vertongen?(-8) Cheers

    Elliot,Pope
    Azpi,Jones,Otamendi,Kiko,Rangel
    Coutinho,Salah,Sterling,KDB,RLC
    Firmino,Rooney,Niasse

    1. joinho
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure about getting rid of Salah, obviously Kane is a must have

  17. joinho
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is everyone triple captaining Kane?

    1. Boom Xhaka-Laca
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No, won’t even have him 🙂

    2. BERGKOP
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure. His flag puts me off a little

    3. Pocky
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No way.

    4. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No. Vocal minority.

    5. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I am

    6. Rossini87
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I think I'm going to. What a week for him to catch a cold, I'd been planing that TC since the DGW was announced.

  18. Boom Xhaka-Laca
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    1. Elliot to Adrian -4? (Already have Ogbonna)

    2. Arnie or Lanzini? Why?

    1. Hedge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1. Not if you have a playing keeper

      2. Arnie... eye test

  19. BERGKOP
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Son or Arnie?

    Already have Adrian, Kane, Masuaku and Eriksen.

  20. jurgenklopp.8
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    pope
    Alonso - Maguire - masuaku
    hazard - richarlison - sterling - salah
    DCL - Firmino - Morata

    elliot - RLC - kenny - mee 2ft 3.2itb

    thoughts on:

    morata, hazard, richarlison > kane, eriksen, arnoutovic for a -4?

    or should i take another hit to get rid of DCL or elliot?
    thanks .,.

    1. BERGKOP
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yes from me

  21. thegame
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Just had a thought, Surely Son is essential with the risk kane might not play first game. As he will be upfront.

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Or Llorente comes in?

      1. thegame
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        hes not started all season despite being fit.

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    only mirror has reported salah out so far, maybe other reports to come later but so far just one source

    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A source with no quotes..

      I reckon he's out tomorrow anyhow, not work risking him

    2. Peggi
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      is the mirror reliable?

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Mirror shows it as it is

  23. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    What is your gut feeling on TC Kane? Mine is to do it...,.

    1. joinho
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Mine is too, form and fixtures and he pretty much starts and plays every game, surely the flag is just precautionary, i'm doing it.

  24. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    DDG Foster
    Ogbonna Jones Otamendi Kenny Mbemba
    Salah Sterling Grob Richarlison RLC
    Aguero Firmino Kane

    2 FT, 0.6 in bank

    1 - Foster and Richarlison to Adrian and Arnie
    2 - DDG and Richarlison/Grob to Adrian and Son
    3 - Aguero, Grob and Richarlison to Vardy, Son and Arnie (-4)
    4 - anything else? Free hit?

  25. pedro-tacuara
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is Jones expected to start tomorrow?

  26. WorldCupDanB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    With Salah being out, does Salah to Arnautovic for a -4 (instead of playing DCL or Carroll) make sense especially as I would be losing some value or is it a step too far?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Depends how much value. I have moved out for Eriksen and wil probably lose .3 m

      1. WorldCupDanB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I'll lose .4 on him but will just bring him back for the next game week and have the funds

  27. pakornk
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Played the Free Hit Chip. But I noticed that my TV dropped from 104 to 102. Surely it returns to 104 after this week?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      yes

      1. pakornk
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        thanks

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Subject to intervene price chsnges.

  28. Reiger
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    With Salah out, which to start:

    A. Kenny
    B. DCL

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kenny as Big Sam will set up for 0-0 .

      1. Reiger
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Makes sense. Thanks.

  29. Ings on the up
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is this gameweek a good time to play for the free chip?

    Or best wait for a bigger gameseek?

    1. Elwood
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Wait for the FA cup/Champions League DGW that are coming.

  30. Elwood
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Son or Alli?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Son

    2. Reiger
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I picked up both. But if it'one or the other, I'd say Alli.