Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 254 – Diminished

Gameweek 31 might be diminished but, despite the curtailed fixture list, we’re giving it the full-fat ScoutCast treatment.

In fact, guided by your community questions, Jonty, Az, Andy and Granville join me as we dissect each of the four matches that make up Saturday’s offering – analysing the player targets from each as we seek to cater for the Free Hit managers and the chipless alike.

Looking further ahead, we also indulge in some wistful Wildcard discussions as we offer views on when to activate the refresh ahead of the looming double Gameweeks.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday evening. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link on the first player below, or take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,722 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I can't decide if pva is worth a hit, I got 9 players but no Palace players.

    1. Yes
    2. Not worth it

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

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

      Nope

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

      2

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

      Nope

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

    Otamendi -> Adam Smith/ Daniels for a hit?

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

      Prefer Smith, slight concern re rotation but unlikely due to his form.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No imo

  3. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Shaqiri and King or Stanislas and Benteke

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      stan and tek

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers both! Do you think that Not having Shaqiri could be a problem?

  4. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Right think ive nailed my FH chip. Thoughts please?

    Butland
    Baines - Coleman - Ake
    Salah(C) - Shaq - Zaha - Mane
    King - Firmino(VC) - Benteke

    Lossi - Stanislas - Dawson - Tomkins

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

      Del-lo-fail posted the best free hit team I have seen so far. Think it was on a hot topic.

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

        Was that the one with a 5 man defence ?

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

          The one with Coleman AND Baines.

          1. Bobby_Baggio
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            see above 🙂

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

              Nah. It had PVA in it.

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

            I remember there was a decent team with 5 defenders you were endorsing, god knows where to find that post now though.

      2. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        let me check

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

      Slim pickings but Stanislas over Benteke for me. Looks g2g

    3. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Stanislas playing over Shaq and bank on that Everton CS?

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        cheers

      2. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Shaq's just got that magic in his boots, though.

  5. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hello strangers, 2FTs with 0.3m in the bank, how do you use them here?

    Lossl* / Adrian
    Robertson* / Otamendi / Alonso / Ogbonna / Dunk
    Salah* / Walcott* / Son / Sterling / RLC
    Firmino* / Niasse* / Kane

    So that's just 6 starters!

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

      Frig me! LAWRO!!!!!!! 😯

      How's it going? Missed you on here fella!

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

        Haha, not bad, nowhere near as invested in FPL this season probably due to having one of my worst starts in years. Still have hopes of reaching the Top 10k. How have you been doing? 🙂

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Your 29k and feel that's bad? jeez i'd love to have that rank.

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

            I claimed my start was bad. I was over 1m at GW9

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              ahhh yes. Still though, i'd love to not be invested in a season and still be doing fantastic, doesn't do as well for me this game as it does for others.

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

                It isn't that hard to get a good rank in FPL once you learn the basic principles really. Most overcomplicate things, just follow which way the wind is blowing on here and you'll do just fine.

                Occasionally you do just come out on the wrong side of the probabilities though...

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

          Don't ask. Stuck in the rough around 50K for ages and now slipped to outside the top 100K. Tried to be too clever with my gameweek 8 Wildcard by trying to get the 5 most expensive players into a viable team and trashed my season!

          Great to hear from you 😀 Will you be knocking around here during the fevered excitement of the blanks and doubles?

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

            I always used to do that, it would just destroy my avg ppg from defenders and goalkeepers 😀

            I may pop my head in but I'll unlikely become a regular again

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

              Are you using some fancy platform now for FPL that the kids are down with? Snap bot or whats appening or some shizzle like that?

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

                I've been dabbling in a few other platforms... 😉

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

                  I didn't know this was public knowledge 🙂

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

                  Ruddy hipster.

                  These fancy new social media platforms are a bit of a threat to old school FFS.

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

                    I don't want to come across to Nietzsche-esque... but old school FFS is dead! 😀

                    It's sad but it's the truth, almost all of the old guard have moved on to different pastures whether that's new social media platforms or alternate fantasy football sites. It is what it is 🙁

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

      Get Stanislas and Mounie in.

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

        Thanks for the input man

    3. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would get Stanislas and one of King, Wilson, Mounie or Benteke.

      Shaqiri may or may not be worth a hit but I don't think anything else is.

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

        Cheers mate. A Bournemouth attacker is an absolute must. I'm a little scared of Shaqiri in my MLs so I may end up with him

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

    Final analysis. Should we take hits or not?

    Mark and HoF #1 Jay look to be avoiding them.

    Andy, Az and maybe even Jonty are going for it.

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Depends on exactly who you are getting but no for the most part for me

    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      and what is your beloved TM preaching? 😀

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

        We're not speaking. We had a fight over who controls the TV remote 😉

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'm pretty firmly in the no hit camp even though I'll only get 9 players out. The fact that I haven't taken a hit yet this season could be influencing this decision though.

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

      Not really analysis is it...

    5. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      To quote Abdominal and DJ Format, you see I got hits, kid. So many hits. How many hits you got? LOTS.

    6. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No hits for defenders. But attackers are definitely worth the gamble, if only just to have more players to watch and cheer on. This game is about fun after all, isn't it?

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

        You say no hits for a defender but what if I'm bringing in 3 players with 2 FTs and a hit ... one is a forward, one is a midfielder and one is a defender.

        Do you consider that a hit for a defender?

        1. Blame it on Traore
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          A hit for say, Coleman is as good as a hit for an attacker, I'd say.

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

            Prefer Baines over Coleman, but it's close. Would love them both.

            1. Blame it on Traore
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Me too, but only because he's likely to be on set pieces.

          2. Rik Waller
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Not away to stoke. Only a few select attackers I'd take a hit for.

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

              If Everton stop Shakiri, they stop Stoke from scoring and get the clean sheet. Allardyce is a stats man. He would have seen that Shakiri has an 80% goal Involvement for Stoke and he will target him.

        2. Rik Waller
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Depends if you need to buy that defender to afford the other two, but surely not the case with Kane cropped?

          1. Rik Waller
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Crocked *

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

            Correct. I can afford any defender.

            Will be bringing in Firmino and Stanislas with 2 FT. Very tempted by Baines as well.

            1. Rik Waller
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Could be worth it just for the fun of it. Likely to lose 2 pts at worst so we're not talking about season-defining decisions here

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

                Good advice - thanks!

    7. M00N
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Due to the lack of good options this week I'm thinking we are going in to get a few 2 pointers and I'm not buying the only a -2 either. At least 2 of you players will inevitably get 2 points, so in essence a 4 point hit will reduce the number of players by 2 reversing the point of doing it just to get that one extra player in the first place.

      1. M00N
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry English no gud. Need sleep.

    8. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'd say it depends on the player. I'd analyse it on a case-by-case basis.

      I'm leaning towards avoiding hits, mainly because poor planning has meant that I can't make any attacking transfers and I'm sure I'd pick the wrong defender.

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

    Any more changes I make would be for a hit:

    Lossl
    Ake, VVD
    Stanislas, Salah, Mooy, Shaqiri
    Quaner, Firmino

    Elliot, Aguero, Davies, Mahrez, Dummett, Mawson

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

      No hits required, looks good.

  8. Geezer
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is it childish to take your players that have a match on the bench, and non playing in the team? Just so you get the boost after gw 31 after the substitutions?

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

      Autosubs will happen on Saturday anyway.

    2. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Its usually quite amusing because it winds people up 🙂

    3. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Naa, end the week on a high I say! 😀

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes. It's unbelievably pathetic and has no practical use whatsoever. Avoid doing it at all costs.

  9. Homo Neanderthalensis
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    GTG??

    Lossl
    Daniels Baines Schindler
    Stanislas Salah Mane Zaha
    King Firmino Mounie

    Pickford Shaqiri Zouma VanAntholt

    1. Geezer
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Shaq over Zaha, and maybe Van Anholt over Schindler

      1. Homo Neanderthalensis
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        You think stoke will beat Everton?

        1. Geezer
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          No, but I think Shaq will get more points than Zaha.

  10. fish66
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Kane, Elliot, Ogbonna, Arnie to Firmino, Butland, Baines, Stanislas for -8?

  11. Nigawan
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Usually when do they announce the DGW fixtures? after this round of FA cup ? Getting too excited !

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

      Supposed to be announced on 19 March

  12. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I have 7 players for gw31 including walcott, do mahrez to stanislas with a -4 but will lose 0.1 to get mahrez back in team in WC gw32-33 ? Do it?
    A) yes
    B) no

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

      Tough one but no.

  13. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    a) mounie for free

    or

    b) pva & stanislas for a -4

    Tnks guys.

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

      a

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Close one, probably A?

    3. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I like B

  14. jimmyskyblue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Stanislas or Mane (GW31 only as playing WC next)?

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

      Note: I have Salah, Firmino and Wilson in my team already

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

    Price changes in just over an hour right?

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

      Right. Do them 10 minutes early to be safe.

  16. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    King or Wilson?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      King

    3. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      King if fit

    4. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    5. jia you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Kinson

  17. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Just realised that tosun has an avg of one price drop per gw, mad!

  18. Casp123
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Going to play WC next week and have two FT so can basically afford any 2 players for the weekend
    Currently got

    Robertson
    Ox, Doucore
    Firmino

    I'm thinking Mounie but for the other would you
    A) Salah for Ox and just have 5 players
    B) Shaqiri for a 6th
    C) Another for a 6th

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A, salah a MUST this gw

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

      A) by far and away 1st choice for captain so too risky not to have him

      1. Casp123
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Done, thanks lads.

  19. MINUS FOUR
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Do we know if the GW34 fixtures will be announced before the start of GW32? In other words, if we play WC before 32, will we actually know which teams have DGW in 34 in time? Can't some of the fixtures we're expecting to move to 34 actually move to 37 based on scheduling etc?

    If this is the case, GW32 WC feels risky.

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

      Should be announced around March 19th. I wouldn't Wildcard on Saturday TBH.

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

        No I wouldn't actually hit the button until we have fpl confirmation of the fixtures. Just wasn't sure if that would definitely happen before the GW32 deadline, but it seems like it will. Cheers.

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Should be announced by Monday (after FA cup ties and draw)

    3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      is there possible for chelsea and united to have a game in champion league week?around 4/5 april something like that

  20. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Am i right price changes in just over an hour right? Thanks.

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

      Correct.

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

        Cheers.

  21. Expected Toulouse
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Current team:
    Robertson
    Salah Shaqiri Ibe
    Firmino King Wilson
    Looking to add one more player:
    A. Pritchard
    B. Zaha
    C. Townsend

    1. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B for me

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C

  22. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who do you think will get more minutes:
    A - Wilson
    B - King
    ?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B is probably the safe bet. No point speculating until the press conference tomorrow.

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

      King hasn't been getting full minutes, wilson seems to.

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

      A

  23. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Lossl
    VVD, Mariappa
    Salah, Stanislas, Mili
    Firmino, Tosun

    Want to have one more player for a hit, who is better options from this?
    Why?
    A. Zaha
    B. King
    C. Mounie
    D. Baines
    Thanks

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

      Mounie

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Baines

  24. upforgrabs
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone reckon we could get a cameo on Saturday by the magic bean himself, Loftus-Cheek? Yes, he's still in my team...

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

      Likely to play. Roy needs a result.

  25. jimmyskyblue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Stanislas or Mane? (GW31 only as playing WC next)
    I already have Salah, Firmino and Wilson

    1. Expected Toulouse
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Mane.

  26. blauriecon
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pickford
    Daniels Schindler VVD
    Milivojevic Shaqiri Salah
    Firmino Mounie
    Save FT or
    Stephens> Stanislas

  27. Old Timer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is Kane dropping tonight? thanks

    http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/
    and
    https://www.fantasyfootballfix.com/price/
    ...are not matching

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

      Im almost sure he wont if that means anything to you.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      FPL stats more reliable

  28. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    The scenes when Depoitre, Defoe and Niasse start at the weekend 😉

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      really can't see that happening

  29. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Stanislas is a fragile chap. I wouldn't transfer him in before Eddie Howe's press conference tomorrow.

    1. blauriecon
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      9.2 ITB and saving FT for next GW so passing on Stanislas.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      he is, but fully expect him to start and do well.

  30. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What are Niasse owner so doing? Keeping or selling for a more nailed player?

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

      Keep anyone who has a chance of playing in 31.