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. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    One week punt. Already have Stan.
    Kane to:

    A) King
    B) Mounie

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

      B, you just missed his price rise.

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I didn't buy him yet either. Confident that I won't lose anything from my delay.

      2. Scheister
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        No matter, will ship out for Auba next week

    2. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Rondon

      1. Scheister
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Ya? Good shout I suppose. Rate him over King and Mounie this week?

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

    Adrian + Sterling - > Butland + Zaha for - 4?

    or is it better to do Kane to Benteke instead of sterling to Zaha?

    Daniels Schindler Bauer
    Salah Mane Walcott Ibe
    Firmino Mounie

    DDG Adrian Otamendi Ogbonna Sterling Kane

    1ft 1.1m itb

  3. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    ended up taking a -8 for 10 gw 31 players, worth using FH to save points and go with 11 gw31 players?

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

      Waste of hits and FH imo

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        true, that being said, with hits already taken, use the FH?

    2. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'm pretty sure I will FH to reverse a -8 I've taken to get 8 players out. I would not do it if I could get out 8 for free or 10 for -8. Unless your hits were stupid I would stick.

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        cheers mate

  4. theBoose
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this GW32 WC team?

    De Gea Fabianski
    Smalling Davies Lowton Chilwell van der Hoorn
    Salah Son Mahrez Willian David Silva
    Vardy Aubameyang Barnes

  5. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hi all. Completely out of the loop this week. Who should I go for? Baines or PVA?

    I'm a bit worried about owning Butland, Baines, Shaqiri & Walcott in the same game. Something has to give?

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

      Best scenario for you is Stoke 0-0 Everton

      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        But is it worth bringing in Baines or just avoid if I'm hoping fir a Shaqiri return?

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Far from the best scenario.

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

    What was kane on before the price changes? I presumed he was close to dropping but never bothered to look.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Didn't drop.

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

        Yeah i know, i just wondered if fplstats had him about to drop.

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

          Did anyone happen to see?

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

          It didnt.

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

            Cheers.

        3. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          -75

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

            Cheers.

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

    Most points this week only:

    A) Tosun
    B) King
    C) Mounie
    D) Rondon

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

    I have all the spreadsheets etc but not easy on mobile device.

    Can someone post just what the fixture list should be for 34 dgw. I know it's not confirmed. Thanks.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/fixtures/34

      Burnley vs Chelsea
      Leicester vs Arsenal
      Man City vs Brighton
      Swansea vs Southampton
      Tottenham vs Newcastle
      West Ham vs Man United

      Could not should.

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

        Thanks much

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

          Thought I took a screen shot of 31 before the blanks were confirmed but could not find it.

  9. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Would you prefer Josh King or any defender this week? (Baines, Coleman, Ake, PVA?)

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

      King over any defenders

  10. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    My team for this week:

    Foster
    Ake VVD Martina
    Salah (c) Mili Walcott Shaq
    Niasse Wilson Firmino

    10.9 ITB

    I know it's not ideal, but no FT left and rival will almost certainly play his free hit.

    Can you see anywhere that a hit might significantly improve my team, or should I just leave it?

    Thanks

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

      Leave deffo.

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

      Martina unlikely to play and Niasse limited minutes. Bench Niasse get Stan

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

      I'm using the FH chip as well!

      I have Ake, Salah, Walcott, Shaq and Firmino too.

      I'd say the obvious omission from your team is either Baines or Coleman, both back fit and should play, offer good potential attacking points.

      I've gone King over Wilson and Sorloth over Niasse too.

  11. Salarrivederci
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    FH team looking like this, but I need some expert to tell me which striker to fill the blank spot 😀

    Butland
    A.Smith, PVA, Baines
    Zaha, Salah(C), Mane, Shaqiri, Stanislas
    Firmino + ????

    Mounie? Rondon? King? Wilson? Tosun?

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      King

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

      I like the Smith Mane Stan picks

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

        Well Stan looks like a no-brainer to me really. I could argue that VvD could be prefered > Mane to enable a more secure CS (+ midfield options this wee looks good when you are on FH).

        But Mane -> VvD would probably cost A. Smith the spot and I like the offensive defenders in a GW where it is hard to predict the CSs 😀

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

      Mounie

    4. TheGloriousViking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I went with Mounie and feel happy about that

    5. justlikehoney
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      King for me, this is basically the same team as mine. Only gone for Ake over PVA and have Walcott instead of Stanislas.

  12. VRP
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Take a hit to bring in a keeper this gw? Yay or nay?

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

      Not the Watford one.

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

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

      nop never

    4. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think I could do that but I could just be throwing points away.

      More likely I'll roll the dice on Baines and Mounie.

  13. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    A) Tosun
    B) King
    C) Mounie
    D) Rondon

    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Mounie

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

      A

  14. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Draft league. Which one would you get in for this week? (no active keeper)
    Cheers

    Stanislas
    Lossl
    Pickford
    Butland

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

      outland

    2. JohnnyMagrinho
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Standard draft league?

        I’d say Stanislas. Good fixtures coming up too.

        I’d have Lossl as your second choice too. Might get lucky and get both.

    3. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      This look OK for a - 8?

      Butland

      A. Smith Robertson

      Salah Walcott Shaqiri Stanislas

      Firmino Wilson Mounie

      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I might forget about Butland and make it a -4

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

          if no wildcard, not worth it.

        2. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          This hot topic says that on average you would gain 0.6 points from taking a hit for Butland
          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/03/13/the-big-numbers-gameweek-30-5/?hc_page=17#hc_comment_17805485

        3. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          RMT predicts 4.01 points for him so it's close

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

        ye go for it

      3. christoff
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I wouldnt take any points hits this week, especially if you aren't gonna switch out these players next GW.
        Which means you're using your WC next week. Which means...i don't know but either way I wouldn't take any points hit

    4. Nobodinho
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Gross > Zaha worth a hit?

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

        no brighton has decent fixtures coming up

      2. JohnnyMagrinho
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Gross is a BPS magnet, cheap and looking at his fixtures you’d back him to continue being valuable (even if Brighton won’t necessarily win).

          He really is exceptional value for money.

      3. Scratch
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Elliot -> Lossl
        Mee -> Baines
        Sigurdsson -> Zaha

        Worth a -8? would mean getting a full 11 out this week

        1. JohnnyMagrinho
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Don’t like an 8 point hit for this week.

            Are you WCing 32?

            Will you want Mee in the future?

            If you’re looking to get rid of Elliot and Siggy anyway, then maybe settle for the -4.

            Don’t like -8 for a GK and DEF.

            Set on Zaha? Shaqiri/Stanislas?

          • Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            B and C for a -4 and 10 out looks good.

            Two Lossl pen saves incoming !!! 🙂

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

          Does your team value revert to same value before a freehit or can you add on any price increase made during the week?

          1. Woy of the Wovers
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            No. You get the same players back at their new prices. Money itb also back to where it was at start of GW.

          2. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Money in bank stays the same, whatever has happened to your old team is the new team value.

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

          Who would you pick for a one-week punt

          A) Ake (WBA)
          B) Baines (stk)
          C/'Schi') Schindler (CRY)

          1. Woy of the Wovers
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            B

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

          Bench one:

          A. Benteke
          B. Walcott
          C. Zaha

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

            A

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

              Cheers.

          2. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Ahh.. none of them? Free hit?

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

              yeah. rest of attack is

              Mane - Salah (c) - Stan

              Firm (vc) - Mounie

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

            I will play Walcott+Zaha and bench Mounie

        5. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Good to go?

          Pickford
          Baines
          Salah (c) Mane Walcott Stanislas
          Firmino King (vc) Wilson

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Triple Pool attack, triple Cherries attack

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

              Looks more like all that nothing to me.

              1. IRBOX ⚽
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Covering the two teams most likely to haul in a GW with limited options

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

                  On paper yes 🙂
                  Hope it's quality paper.

                  1. IRBOX ⚽
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 3 months ago

                    Thanks for the concern. FPL is all about statistics and this is the best chance at points this week in my opinion.

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

                      Don't disagree just saying stranger things have happens that the few results we need this week not going out way. Or even someone totally left field hauling

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

              Wouldn't take a hit to change anything.

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

          Pick one please:

          a) King
          b) Stanislas
          c) Mounie
          d) Zaha

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

            B

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

            B

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

            Cheers

          4. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            D

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

            c

          6. pressdpm
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            B

          7. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            B

          8. RIDZ
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            D

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

          Thinking of doing Sigurdsson > Stanislas
          Gives me 8 players, no hits. Sound good, anything worth a hit?

          Pickford
          Otamendi - Van Dijk - Ogbonna
          Salah - Walcott - Mahrez - Shaqiri
          Kane - Firmino - Wilson

          Elliott - Sigurdsson - Dunk - Mee

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

            Yes to Stan in.
            But then it has to a defender don't know if it's worth it.

            Would the free move not give you 9 assuming Walcott plays?

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

              Sorry my bad counted Mahrez for some reason I don't know why.

              1. pressdpm
                • 11 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                You got my hopes up ha

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

                  🙂
                  See below - for Mounie might be worth -4 for 9 out.

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

            Looks good

            For this week instead of the full starting XI you might want to only show the players that actually have games in your lineup to make it easier for others to follow and comment

            1. pressdpm
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah, that’s a good point actually hadn’t thought of doing that.

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

            Actually I like
            Stan in for Siggy plus
            Kane to Mounie for -4 to get 9 out.

            1. pressdpm
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah, I was thinking of moving Kane on for a forward. Can’t make my mind up which one. Don’t wanna go too Bournemouth heavy so Mounie could be good.

        8. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Would you make any changes to this free hit team?

          Begovic
          Adam Smith PVA Baines
          Shaqiri Zaha Mane Salah Stanislas
          Tosusn Firmino

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

            I'd say Ake > Adam Smith

            1. We Will Klopp you
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Cheers, will consider it

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

                Ake is the 2nd highest bps in Bou, let's hope for bps instead of assist/goal hahaha

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

            What about both Coleman and Baines?

            1. We Will Klopp you
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Cheers

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

          If I WC in 32, then I make no transfer in 33 but FH in 34, will I have 2 FT in 35?

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Nope, 1 free transfer for 35. FTs get reset after free hit.

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

              hmmm, WC in 33 looks better then, thanks

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

            Why not FH in gw 35 instead?

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

              hmm wait, I might be missing. When will bgw and dgw? Isn't it bgw in 34?

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

                Dgw 34. Bgw 35

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

                  And another dgw 37

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

                  ah thanks, then WC in 32 to get 2 FT for 34 and use BB is a good strategy for me. FH comes in 35. thanks

              2. We Will Klopp you
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                No, 34 is the DGW, 35 is the BGW

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

                  thanks mate, now I am confidence to WC in 32

        10. Isco Disco
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          What are the chances of Loftus-cheek starting this week?
          Was gonna do RLC --> Zaha for a -8 but now that RLC is fit should I just play him instead? Would appreciate some help here.

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

            -8 for bgw is too much, just play RLC

          2. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Why is it a -8? Do you have to make another move to do that? If not, just consider it a -4 rather than 8, then ask yourself whether you think Zaha scores more than 4 points because RLC is at best a 1 pointer, at worst a 0 pointer

        11. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Who'd be the one defender you'd readily get for a hit?
          A- Schindler
          B- baines
          C- PVA
          D- Coleman
          E- anyone else?

          TIA

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

            B

            1. FPL ElasticO
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              B

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

            B

        12. Magic Bean
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          RLC > Shaq worth a hit? Thinking about ownership here as well as quality.

          1. FPL ElasticO
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            I think Stanislas is in-form and expect less goal involvement for Shaqiri vs Everton....just my own feeling....

            1. Magic Bean
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Interesting. Shaq ain't in amazing form either. I just feel everyone free hitting will have him and lots of others bringing him in by Saturday

        13. FPL ElasticO
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Want to do these transfers to have 11 starters....Worth taking -8 for them??

          Kun/ Hazard/ Alonso/ Fabianski >>> Firmino/ Stanislas/ Baines/ Butland

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Yes

            1. FPL ElasticO
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Thanks

        14. JÆKS ⭐
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Non-free hitters with a WC intact, when are you planning on using the WC?

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

            in 33, just do Kane to Auba for 32 or maybe take a hit for Shaq to Mkhi