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. D0GS B0110XS FC
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    which one do i do?

    A - salah out for Erikson
    B - salah and firminho out for Lanzini and aguero

    currently have
    Foster
    alonso, ota, obagonna
    son, arnie, salah, sterling, lingard
    kane, firminho

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

      Don’t lose salah

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Salah confirmed out? Risky business for those whom cant afford a no show

        1. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I did A

      2. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        It all depends how much £ he has tied up in Salah

    2. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Neither

  2. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    TC or no?

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

      Don't get Tom Carroll.

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

      Tom Carroll is a no.

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

        Why? 🙁

        I'm legitimately going to get him in

    3. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Nah

    4. Magerost
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Triple Captain Joe Hart

  3. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Checked my Gameweek history
    Beat average 17 times
    Tied and lost to it 2 times each

    What are your stats vs Average

  4. Dušan Citizen
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone brave enough to go without Kane? 😀

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      *stupid

    2. Dušan Citizen
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I guess some alcohol tonight will bring someone to that decision 😀

    3. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Not even Poch

    4. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Dusane are you from Serbia?

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yup

      2. Sir Edo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I’m 50% Crna Gora. Happy new year Balkan boys.. 🙂

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Happy New Year, brate 😀

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

            Not too much alcohol so you miss out on Son! 😉

    5. Bad Kompany
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Think I might risk it

    6. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Happy new year Balkan boys from Croatia

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. Same to you, brate 😀

  5. Thiga
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Have Kane, Vert and Adrian + 2FTs

    Hazard > Eriksen and Pogba > Arnie are on the cards.

    Should I go all out and take a -4 to do RLC > Lanzini? Or maybe Jamaat > WHU def

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

      Would RLC be in your first 11? If yes then def worth the -4

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

        Yup he would be

    2. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Don't do too many, you want your team to be in good condition after the DGW also

    3. Thiga
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers guys

  6. The HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on Kane? TC risky?

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't TC

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

        Yeah. I will do Morata to Kane and C him because I think he will play one game at least so he is always a better choice than Morata but TC maybe not. Thanks mate!

  7. FFSbet.com
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Just seen Alli have 1 SOT in last 6 GWs so in doubt about TC on him
    A) Keep TC on Alli
    B) Put TC on Son
    C) Just C and save TC

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Wow that's poor.

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Prob C. Was surprised how poor his stats are as well. Might go son and Eriksen

    3. Rash
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Where's all the rave for alli came from then with stats that bad?

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

        He scored a goal and folk remember last season

    4. FFSbet.com
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers all,will just C.

  8. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    | - - - - - - - - - - - - Courtois - - - - - - - - - - - |
    | - - Jones - Duffy - Otamendi - Ogbonna - |
    | - - - -Salah Sterling Arnautovic Son - - - - |
    | - - - - - - - - - - - Kane Firmino - - - - - - - - - |

    - Speroni // Mee / RLC / DCL -

    2 FTs used £3.7 ITB

    A) Stick
    B) Speroni to Adrian -4 and start him
    C) RLC/DCL to Quaner and Alli -8 (Alli or Jones +8)
    D) Firmino to Aguero -4

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

      D

    2. Garlana
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Lovely formatting, I'd be tempted to stick or get Adrian.

      1. Junior ⚽
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.

  9. interloper
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    surely time is too short for the FA to ban Zaha before this game week, no?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Has he been charged?

    2. Rash
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Young and naughton banned next day.. I don't expect a ban anyway fwit

  10. Mortal.Swinbat
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Ryan
    Otamendi, Dunk, Masuaku
    Alli, Eriksen, Sterling, Arnautovic, Lanzini
    Kane, Aguero

    4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

    Free hit good to go?

    Cheers and happy new year

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

      I want this team 🙁 can't seem to afford it.

  11. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    i can only get Kane if i take out Aguero ..
    But Aguero is home to Watford

    Should i do it ?!

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

      No find another way

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

        okay !

  12. JJeyy
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Coutinho to arnie -4

  13. BananaNose Maldonado
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Which two would you start:

    A) Christensen (ars)
    B) Francis (bha)
    C) Gomez (bur)
    C) Mee (LIV)

    Cheers.

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A C

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

        Thanks. And if TAA starts instead of Gomez, Francis ahead of Mee on the bench?

        1. Junior ⚽
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah

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

            Thanks.

  14. chrisjdgrady
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Richarlison > Arnautovic worth -4?

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yes from me.

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yes

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

      Yes. Arnie has good fixtures too

      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks guys!

  15. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Take a hit for Cout -> Alli/Erik?

    Fab
    Ogbonna* Jones Ota
    Salah Son* Sterling Rich
    Kane* Depoitre

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

    How's this: Rooney, KDB, Salah to Kane(C), Son and Lanzini?

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

      For -4

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah do it

    2. Rash
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Don't sell salah unless you paid high price

  17. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Triple Captain or risky?

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

      Risky

    2. Magerost
      8 years, 6 months ago

      DO IT!!!! I am and 2 of my friends are doing it!! 100 points alone imminent

  18. JCrosbie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    This is my halfway money league decider. Have 15 point advantage and more DGW players.

    Have been planning TC a while now to make sure of the win.

    TC Kane or someone else?

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

      Kane or don't use it.

  19. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Lanzini or Arnie

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

      Arnie

    2. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Arnie if you like goals and cards, Lanzini if you like assists and the odd goal

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

      Arnie. Midfielder playing as striker

    4. Magerost
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Arnie if you like meth, Lanzini if you like the cola

    5. zelio78
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Both

  20. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Green with 9 players lads, have fun playing for the 2nd place.

    #2018goals

  21. Rust Cohle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Moving out Richarlison & Laca. Who to bring in? Kane & Arnie or Aguero & Alli?

    Pope/Elliot
    Azpi/Ota/Masu/Bruno/Zeegelaar
    Son/Lingard/Salah/Rich/Sterling
    Laca/Firmino/DCL

    Thanks.

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

      Has to be Kane

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

    Is Koscielny going to be out the Chelsea game?

  23. jonoelgrande
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    What happened to RLC why is he yellow flagged on fpl?

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

      Same reason he didn't play vs City.

  24. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Cout to play this GW or..? #klopp

    :$

  25. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Richarlison to Arnautovic (-4) worth it?

    1. Magerost
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No, Richarlison will destroy city. Cant you sell RLC?

  26. Bad Kompany
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Which scores more:
    Lingard +4
    Arnie/Lanzini

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

    Free Hit might be the best route this gameweek?

    1. After this dgw and long term, the team structure looks weak if you have maximum of 6 west ham and spurs players. Do you really want all of them in the long term?
    2. For this dgw only, you can have 6 west ham and spurs, plus 3 from Man City who should haul against Watford. You can also take out Alonso and get Man City defenders.
    3. Players who you take out like DDG, Hazard, Richarlison, RLC have plum fixtures on gw23.

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

      Could work, will get messy later in season.

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

    Danilo or Maguire for one week only?

  29. VDiesel26
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed:
    DDG Elliot
    Christensen Jones Otamendi Ogbonna Hünemeier
    Mahrez Salah Sterling Coutinho Gross
    Kane Firminho Anderson
    1FT £0.2m ITB & Looking to get some Double GW players

    1) Mahrez + Coutinho > Eriksen + Arnautovic
    2) Couinho > Eriksen or Arnautovic
    3) Other suggestions

    Not really too happy with the Lpool triple and coutinho seems best to get rid of?

  30. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Apart from a lack of points, anything genuinely wrong with Tom Carroll? No-one else creative enough to take his place