Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 28

As predicted in Wednesday’s Squad article, our Gameweek 28 selections are focused on players from just two top-six sides boosted by an array of low-priced gems.

Our money-saving drive starts between the sticks, with Brighton’s Mat Ryan (4.5) getting the nod ahead of Swansea City’s visit to the Amex Stadium.

A fifth home clean sheet of the campaign could be on the cards for the Australian stopper; the Swans have scored just nine goals from 13 away matches, recording 25 shots on target – the lowest in the league.

With Arsenal hosting Manchester City and Chelsea travelling to Manchester United, the only assets from top-six teams we favour are from Liverpool and Spurs.

A visit from West Ham urges us triple up on Reds players, with centre-back Virgil van Dijk (5.6) earning a spot as he looks to earn a third clean sheet in as many starts in all competitions.

He’s part of a defence that’s allowed the fewest shots on target (26) at home, though the Dutchman also appeals for his ability in the opposing penalty area. He’s fired in five shots in his three league starts for Liverpool.

We have also opted for a trio of Spurs assets, which includes left-back Ben Davies (5.7).

Mauricio Pochettino charges face a Crystal Palace side that has struggled to take their opportunities at Selhurst Park, converting just four of 11 big chances recorded over their last four Gameweeks.

Meanwhile, based on their last four away trips, the Spurs defence is the meanest on show. They’ve allowed just 10 shots on target and four big chances, no side can better those tallies.

Davies looks to have seen off the threat of rotation that plagued him earlier this season. He’s started each of his side’s last seven league matches and his returns over that period also appeal, earning four clean sheets, two assists and a pair of maximum bonus returns.

Completing our backline is Ben Mee (4.9) as Burnley host Southampton at Turf Moor.

The Clarets have the fourth best defensive home record in the league, keeping six clean sheets and conceding just ten times in front of their own fans – a tally only bettered by Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester United.

Although he has yet to score this season, we hold out hope that the centre-back will find the net – only Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (30) has had more penalty area shots among defenders than Mee’s 20.

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah (10.5) is once again a shoo-in for selection.

A strike in the Champions League at Porto last week was his 30th goal of the season in all competitions, and he is particularly impressive at Anfield, having been involved in nearly two thirds (62%) of his side’s league goals when on the pitch.

With just one clean sheet in their last nine league matches, David Moyes’ charges look unlikely to silence the Egyptian, who scored a brace against the Hammers in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.

Continuing our focus on Spurs, we have handed a midfield slot to Christian Eriksen (9.2), who has created more chances (12) and big chances (four) than any other player over the last three Gameweeks. A goal in last week’s Champions League encounter with Juventus underlines his form and confidence ahead of Sunday’s clash. The Dane scored the winning goal in the corresponding fixture last season.

Riyad Mahrez’s (8.6) return to the Leicester City XI following his transfer window wranglings makes the Algerian difficult to ignore for Stoke City’s visit. The Potters have the league’s worst away defence, having conceded a record 32 goals and kept a solitary clean sheet.

Meanwhile, Mahrez has been a consistent performer, delivering attacking returns in all but two of his last 11 league starts and registering an assist in the FA Cup against Sheffield United last weekend.

Watford’s on-loan winger Gerard Deulofeu (6.0) takes our final midfield berth ahead of Everton’s visit to Vicarage Road. He impressed in his previous home encounter, with a goal, assist and maximum bonus returns against Chelsea in Gameweek 26.

The Toffees’ defence looks to be similarly obliging, having shipped 11 goals in their last four away matches – an unwelcome league record they share with Stoke.

Harry Kane (12.8) completes our Spurs trio. The Golden Boot contender looks unstoppable on the road, having scored more goals (12) and recorded more shots on target (21) than any other player. He has also two goals and an assist from his last three trips to Selhurst Park.

Roberto Firmino’s (9.3) convincing form – three goals and two assists in his last five league starts – ensures he earns a Picks berth. Like Salah, he also found the net against Porto in the Champions League, which has helped swell his ownership by more than 92,000 since Gameweek 27.

Our final striker berth goes to Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson (6.0) as he prepares to take on a Newcastle defence with just one clean sheet in their last 11 road trips. The Cherries striker has four goals and two assists over his last eight run-outs, including double-digit returns against Arsenal and Chelsea.

The prospects of a clean sheet look strong for Wilson’s team-mate Charlie Daniels (4.7), who takes the first of our three bench spots. The Magpies have only scored six times in their last half a dozen matches – the fourth worst tally in the league over that timeframe.

Brighton’s Pascal Gross (5.9) earns a substitute role for Swansea’s visit to the Amex Stadium. The German playmaker has scored all his five goals on home turf and has been directly involved in nine goals overall, accounting for 60% of Brighton’s strikes.

Jamie Vardy (8.6) narrowly misses out on a first XI place, but more than merits a spot on our bench after scoring in each of his last four Gameweek. Only Wayne Rooney (30.3%) can better Vardy’s 28.9% shot conversion rate among forwards with more than five goals this season, and it seems unlikely that Stoke’s struggling backline can halt his prolific form.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 26 is davidoff7, who has opted for a 3-4-3 line up of: Pope; Davies, Van Dijk, Maguire; Alli, Gross, Salah, Stanislas; Vardy, Kane, Firmino.

The community member who beats us 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.

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

1,375 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Please advise the cheapest and most nailed on defender from Everton...looking long term.

    Thanks a lot!

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      First name Don second name tbother

      1. Odikostar
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        this

    2. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Martina I guess

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Baines could be back this weekend.

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      There isn't really any nailed ones...

    4. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      You probably don't want to hear it but Pickford. Martina and Kenny have Baines and Coleman as expensive competition. The centre backs, you've got Mangala who's injured and then a choice of Williams,Keane, Jagielka and Holgate with Funes Mori coming back from injury. Holgate the cheapest but hard to tell who's first choice.

    5. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Pickford is better option that any of the defenders.

  2. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    A. Otamendi + Pogba > VvD + Mahrez

    B. Alonso + Pogba + Martial > VvD + Eriksen + Mahrez (-4)

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B you don’t want any of those guys

  3. kinghenry14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    what would you do with this lot? 2FT 1.4ITB

    pope
    alonso jones duffy
    salah sterling son miki walcott
    kane firmino

    subs: eliott kenny quaner hünemeier

    cheers

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Jones to vvd and roll the other transfer

      1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thats what I've done this week.

  4. Solly The Seagull
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling+Lingard+Jones-->VVD+Mahrez+Walcott -4?

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah good moves

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Depends how much value you have in Raheem. He's got stoke in 2 games.

  5. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling to Mane for -4?

    I have Salah & VVD

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      You need Bobby.crazy going with out imo

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No

  6. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Niasse or Wilson?

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I went for niasse so I could afford Mahrez. It’s close it depends what you do with the difference

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Who did you take out for Mahrez

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson, but Niasse if you can use the extra cash elsewhere

    4. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure whether Defoe's availability would push me towards Niasse if didn't already have Callum.

    5. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I feel like Wilson owners will say Niasse but owners of neither will say Wilson

  7. Fantasytom
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Tempted to bring a spurs def in for a hit for mustaphi. Thoughts? If so who?

  8. Oh Mane Mane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is Davies nailed?
    Thinking of Ota to Davies or maybe to Vertonghan instead?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      no

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I just done Jones > Davies. He’s first choice now

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Ake or Daniels?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Daniels

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers Odi...

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Kiko!

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Not considering premium defenders at the moment....

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          😛

          Daniels!

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Ake’s scored more goals so.....

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Daniels guaranteed dodgy BAPs & triple price rises 😉

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                *checks Marks team*

    3. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ake

  10. Fred the Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero to Kane a good move?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, rotation risk again

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      For free?

      1. Fred the Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yep

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Do it mate. Fixtures aren’t great and Jesus is back

  11. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is Mane absolutely nailed?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes 😀

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

        Thinking of going with him instead of Firmino as I need the differential in my ML

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes imo

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

        COYS

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Y1do y1do

          1. Art Vandelay
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            😆

            1. THFC4LIFE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Have a look below pal

  12. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    G2G? Bench order ok?

    Ryan
    VVD Maguire Davies
    Sterling Salah Mkhi Walcott Ibe
    Kane(c) Kun

    Adrian Ayew Francis Bardsley

    Cheers all and good luck

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      My only concern is over Ibe, as the team news section is suggesting he might be benched and a cameo would be annoying - consider starting Ayew?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Not a bad shout mate to be honest

  13. timPgoodwin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling out for:

    A) Eriksen

    or

    B) Mahrez

  14. stamboy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    got 8 playing now for Gw31 and will get another on Gw31 so 9 playing. Thats enough for me, remaining gw 29 and 30 transfers will probably focus on those gameweeks themselves.

  15. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Best GK for 4.9m or less for next 5 x GWs. CS’s a must....

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      That including GW31?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Possibly, although have Hennessey, so not vital....

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Fabianski, Karius.

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah that’s the two I’m narrowing down to....and Foster and Lossl as outsiders.

            Which one ya reckon Flappy or Foster?

            1. badgerboy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Fabianski. Couldn't bring myself to use a Liverpool spot on Karius. Wouldn't touch Foster with someone else's bargepole. Lossl for 31 only imo.

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Okay cheers Badger....

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Gotta be Foster innit

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Defo an option but WBA def are pure evil....

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Pickford?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Shit away form which includes 3 in next 4 and also MCI 😮

  16. George James
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Best move?

    A) Sterling >> Mahrez
    B) Kun >> Firmino
    C) Sterling + Pogba >> Mane + Walcott -4

  17. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    A) Ota -> VVD
    B) Jones -> VVD

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      b

  18. T444
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What's with all the Mahrez love. He was in good form then almost got banished and he's suddenly top pick? Leicester are looking ok but very unpredictable. Am I missing something?

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Juicy fixtures I guess

      1. T444
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Surely a bit punty though

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      This! How are people pciking him over Mane who doesn't even have a blank...

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        FHC

    3. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      others stock have fallen due to form, fixtures, injuries, rotation, etc e.g. Lingard Son Shaq arnie Pogba Sanchez which makes Mahrez more appealing

    4. BigBarn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Have had similar thoughts. Would be best to wait a week and see how he plays, but then only two fictures until his blank, of course. It could be a great move, but I think carries more risk than the sentiment found on these pages suggests.

  19. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Karius anyone?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Got him in the draft game 😯

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      under the radar, I like it

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Problem is he’s 3rd Liverpool player, so no VVD or Mane?

  20. slove
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth ditching Jones for a -4? If so who for , I already have Robertson so would be inclined to avoid Van Dijk

    1. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      depends what your 4th defender is

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Im starting Jones. Fook Jose and his mind games. He's lied before

    3. slove
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      The defence is Alonso Ota Jones Robertson and Dunk

      1. kinghenry14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        not worth a -4 imo

  21. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Jones > VVD, and
    A. Sterling > Eriksen
    B. Aguero > Firmino
    C. both (-4)

    Pope
    Alonso Jones Duffy Chilwell
    Salah Sterling Son
    Kane Aguero Wilson

    (Elliot Milivojevic Ogbonna RLC)

  22. kinghenry14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    who would you sell for mane?

    A) sterling
    B) son
    C) walcott
    D) miki

    not playing FH in 31

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Son

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Son, due to increased rotation risk.

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Son

    4. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      thanks all

  23. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen or Mahrez

    Niasse or Wilson

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      E
      W

      1. kinghenry14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        this imo

  24. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is Firmino essential ?

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      oh yes

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Got him in 7 weeks ago and haven’t looked back. Been fantastic

    3. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I am considering Mane instead, but I need the differential. Not sure it is worth taking the risk though as Firmino is a great option.

  25. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Which transfer would you do?

    a) Sterling --> Eriksen

    b) Wilson --> Firmino

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

  26. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else going to be changing between Kane & Salah (C) right up until the deadline? 🙂

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not having Kane makes life easier

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, Kane for me this week. Palace team is in pieces.

    3. King Sheep
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      It's a toss-up, and an important one ..... Spurs look to be in their groove for me having outplayed Liverpool & Juve, form over fixture, but Liverpool not in bad form themselves and have home advantage .... Hammers doing OK just now whilst Palace are good at home but injury-ravaged. Will Klopp's all-action approach see Liverpool tiring as the season wears on (beaten by Swans, Baggies, ran out of steam against Spurs ..) ..... I'm leaning towards Kane but usually opt for a Home Captain if I'm in doubt .... lol

  27. Reuser
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any 4.4 defenders worth considering between now and gw32 wildcard?

    Francis is nailed, has decent fixtures, a gw31 game, but 2 yellows off a suspension.
    Morgan should be nailed (?), good fixtures but s blank in gw31.
    Martina is under threat from Baines.
    Watford have a few options - but injury crisis is easing, so uncertain line-up.

    Kongolo of Huddersfield might be interesting? Loanee from Monaco at 4.4. Don't know enough about him though....

  28. Pooodle
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    If this was your defence, would you take -4 to bring in Van Dijk for Jones?

    Jones, Alonso, Daniels, Ogbonna, Kenny

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No, get Mane

  29. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I'm playing Sterling with Lingard 1st sub.

    a) Should I use FT to do Lingard > Mili?
    Or
    b) wait a GW and have 2FT's 1 week closer to GW31?

    1. Pooodle
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      wait

  30. Romford Pele - Don't w…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any idea when all the DGWs will be confirmed?