Scout Picks
6 April 2018 1652 comments
J0E J0E
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For the first time since January our line-up is without the Fantasy Premier League’s top points scorer, Mohamed Salah.

Despite featuring prominently in our Scout Squad selection, we’re not prepared to risk the Liverpool winger after he sustained a suspected groin injury in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Manchester City.

Nonetheless, our 84 million budgeted XI still features a number of other notable heavy-hitters, supplemented as usual by some promising cut-price offerings.

Brighton’s Mat Ryan (4.6) takes our goalkeeper spot due, in the main, to the poor away form of visitors Huddersfield. David Wagner’s side have failed to find the net in 12 of 16 road trips, creating just three big chances in their last six away matches.

Jan Vertonghen’s (6.0) prospects of a clean sheet also looks strong when Spurs make their way to Stoke City.

Paul Lambert’s side have scored just once in their last four, registering nine on target attempts over that period – a league-low record they share with Huddersfield. Furthermore, Spurs and Vertonghen have conceded just twice in their last five.

We are also confident that Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi (5.4) will earn shut-out returns when he hosts a Southampton side that, like the Potters, has only scored once the previous four. In addition, the Saints have managed just four big chances from their last six away matches.

Mustafi is in fine home form, earning 20 points in his last two at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a pair of clean sheets, three bonus points and a goal.

Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (7.2) may have to rely on attacking returns to justify his selection, given that visitors West Ham have scored 11 times across their last six away fixtures, the third best tally behind Spurs (13) and Manchester City (12).

With more shots (34), penalty box attempts (20) and efforts on target (12) at home than any other defender the left wing-back looks primed to trouble a Hammers backline that has shipped 11 goals in their last three on the road. Indeed, only Alvaro Morata has fired more shots (36) than Alonso at Stamford Bridge this season (34).

Wes Morgan (4.4) earns our final defender spot, ahead of Newcastle’s visit. The Foxes have shown excellent recent home form, conceding just 24 shots over their last six King Power Stadium matches; only Manchester City have allowed fewer (20).

Our 4-4-2 formation features a Leicester pairing with Riyad Mahrez (8.9) among our midfield picks for a successive Gameweek. Despite failing to register attacking returns last time out against Brighton, the winger’s recent form is strong enough to justify his selection. Mahrez has five goals and three assists in his previous eight league starts.

The Algerian was on the scoresheet St James’ Park back in Gameweek 16 and is also something of a flat track bully. He has been involved in 21 goals this season, with 17 of those against teams outside of the top six. Meanwhile, Newcastle have claimed just one clean sheet in their last 13 on the road.

We have also kept faith with another of our Gameweek 32 picks, Brighton’s Pascal Gross (6.0). The German’s impressive home performances, which have seen him average 5.9 points at the Amex Stadium, look too good to ignore. Huddersfield’s failure to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 12 away matches also weighs strongly in his favour.

With West Ham’s shaky travelling defence in mind, we have handed a midfield spot to Chelsea’s Willian (7.1). Over his last four league matches, the winger has fired more shots on target (eight) and goals (two) than any team-mate.

A 16-point return in Spurs’ 5-1 victory over Stoke early in the season ensures Son Heung-min (8.3)’s inclusion for the trip to the bet365.

Having served up four goals and an assist in his last three outings, the South Korean is in fine form as he squares up to a defence that’s conceded more goals (61) than any side, recording only two clean sheets in their last 15 home fixtures.

The fragile Potters defence also sees us find room for Son’s team-mate Harry Kane (12.7), who returned from a short injury lay-off with a 16-minute cameo against Chelsea last weekend.

The Spurs striker fired in a brace in that Stoke rout earlier in the campaign and has netted eight times in his last four Potters encounters. In addition, Kane is the league’s most potent threat in away matches, with a record 13 goals from 61 shots.

The most bought player ahead of Gameweek 33, Kane has been snapped up by over 145,000 new owners as he attempts to overhaul Salah in the race for the Golden Boot.

Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (10.8) completes our first XI due to the seemingly perfect alignment of form and fixture this weekend.

Having scored a brace at home to Stoke last time out, he entertains a Southampton defence with one clean sheet in 13 away fixtures. Over six league appearances for the Gunners he has an impressive five goals and an assist, averaging 6.5 points per match.

This form makes him second only to Kane for transfers in ahead of tomorrow’s 11.30am deadline.

On the bench, Kiko Femenia (4.3) seems an ideal enabler for those looking to recruit heavy-hitters.

Utilised as a right winger in the previous three Gameweeks, the Watford defender scored at Vicarage Road against Bournemouth last weekend and faces another promising home clash when Burnley drop by on Saturday afternoon.

The Hornets have two clean sheets in the last three matches in front of their own supporters.

With Christian Benteke doubtful, Wilfried Zaha (6.8) could be set for a role up front as Crystal Palace make their way to Bournemouth.

The Ivory Coast international has recorded two assists in his last three appearances and will collide with a Cherries defence that has returned the joint fewest home clean sheets (two). Only Watford have conceded more goals (26 vs 28) in front of their own fans that Eddie Howe’s rearguard.

We reckon there will be goals from both sides at the Vitality stadium, with Roy Hodgson’s side rolling up on the back of one clean sheet in their last six away days. This sees Cherries forward Josh King (7.0) earn a mention – the Norwegian international has three goals and an assist over his last five starts.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 33 is Big Red Dog, who has opted for a 3-4-3 line up of: Karnezis, Azpilicueta, Monreal, Dunk; Mahrez Alli, Hughes, Hazard; Kane, Aubameyang, Rondon.

The community member who beats our picks 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. The SK
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    GTG?

    DDG
    Alonso Morgan Simpson
    Salah Mahrez(VC) Son Willian
    Lukaku Aubameyang(C) Murray

    Ryan Gudmunsson Lowton Stephens

    1. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Gtg

    2. mrwinner
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salah > Alli

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Think I would play Lowton to spread the risk

  2. Pukki Party
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Repost: Fh34, 1ft 0.0itb. Liverpool rotation worries, opinions?

    Salah Mahrez Son Sterling
    Auba (C) Firmino Deeney

    A) Salah-Alli/Eriksen (reverse trasnfer gw35)
    B) Salah Firmino- Kane (C) Zaha
    C) "Save" (read waste)

    Cheers.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      btw Salah bought for 10.1 so small lost on value

    2. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I would sell Salah...limited minutes until Liverpool eliminated from Champions League.

  3. DR0GBA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Best midfielder to buy for DGW34 for £8.2M that isn't Willian?

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pogba if you want a punt

    2. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Arnautovic actually, playing against old club, in form.

  4. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Seems weird, but going Morgan and Chilwell on the WC doesn't seem like the worst idea. Most other 4.5s are awful

    1. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      That's what I'm probably going to do

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      All based on a DGW BB though ? Would not get those two for any other reason though ... hope they play 2 games 🙂

  5. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    DDG Hennessey
    Morgan Lowton Kiko Fernandez *
    Salah Mahrez Son Mili *
    Kane Auba *

    A) Barnes Willian/Lingard Alonso
    B) Vardy Willian/Lingard Dunk
    C) Firmino Lingard Dunk
    D) Lukaku Cork Dunk

    On WC, no FH left. Thanks!

    1. ARJEI
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, Kane(c)

  6. Jolly Good
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Salah out with a very heavy heart.. welcome back Kane (c)

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just did the same move...

  7. VFORVANDETA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    6.0itb for 5tg mid?

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      5th

    2. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      do you have Lingard?

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Gross or Lingard.

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Jlingz

  8. mrwinner
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    How many points will Salah get this week? May have to stick him on the bench (1st position). Thoughts?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Play him

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Probably 0.

    3. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He will not play this week. No reason to risk him before City tuesday.

    4. VFORVANDETA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Too much itb for bench.

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Play him and let autosub do the job if needed.

    6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      99% 0 points. 0.9% 1 point. 0.1% brace 😉

    7. mrwinner
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers, will transfer him out for Alli or Lingard then. 2 DGWs is just too good to pass up.

    8. mrwinner
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Have a funny feeling he may come off the bench for the last 20 minutes.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Some guesses come true.

      2. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        If he comes off the bench chances are they will be in desperate need of goals, so it's all good.

    9. TallestJohn
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I feel 1... but then if he comes off the bench I can see him scoring 🙁

  9. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    DDG

    Duffy, Fernandez, VVD

    Shaqiri, Walcott, Willian, Hazard, Mahrez

    Kane (C), Aubemayang

    G2G? 0.3 ITB - took -8.

  10. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Regarding Salah:

    1) Do you think that Salah is dead and won't return this season?
    2) Can you get him back effortlessly instead of losing a lot of team value if you sell him now?

    If answer is YES to any of above, sell him.

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I doubt he will play much in the league with champions league semi finals looking good.

    2. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Agree. Need him for gw 35 to 38.

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        35 is free hit for most

  11. DR0GBA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Kane's transfers in on fplstatistics mostly due to wildcarders, or will he actually rise tonight?

    If so I can't afford him out for Aubameyang with the transfers I wanted to make 🙁

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Probably but there's no real way of knowing

    2. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm freehitting 34, so if i dont het him this week i can get him gw36. Wonder what his price will be then.

  12. Manani
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    thoughts on this backline??

    Dummett Kiko Morgan Lowton Alonso

    all have good fixtures to end the season

    1. mrwinner
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      GTG

  13. Carcaju
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Last doubt! Please someone!

    DDG - Ryan

    Vert - Christensen - Dunk - Lowton - Morgan

    Willian - Son - Mahrez - Lingard - Gross

    Kane - Auba - Barnes

    In order to do Auba -> Lukaku next week, I also have to Gross -> Albrighton (-4). Worth it? Or just get Albrighton this week? Thanks!

  14. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Some people here must have come up with strategies of how to play TC and BB. Anyone care to discuss or point me the thread where it has been discussed?

    1. willl
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Don't think that's come up at all tbh.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Mainly 34 and 37.

      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Sure that's the main. But which way you plan it? 34 doesn't really seem worth either chip. Particularly I can't find a good TC for GW34, whereas GW37 is clearly the more valuable BB GW.

  15. JurgenRodgers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Salah not risked/rested is perfect for my team
    No captain headache
    Aubameyang (C)
    Also get to give Barnes a run out

  16. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which would you take on a WC?
    A) Lingard
    B) Gross

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

  17. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    A) Firmino and richarlison to kane and willian for -4
    Or
    B) Firmino, Salah and richarlison to kane, willian and alli for -8

    1. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

  18. NestorC
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    What option is better?

    A) Kane Kenedy Sanchez
    B) Lukaku Milivojević Salah

    Cheers

    1. Lukakwho
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

  19. WrightnBright
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Think I'm going to throw caution to the wind and do Salah,Lukaku > Alli/Son,Kane -4

    Question is do you think Kane -4 is likely to outscore Lukaku?

    The Son v Alli dilemma is almost a coin toss, but feel along with an upturn in form, the carrot of a World Cup place to fight for Alli has the edge - right choice?

    1. WrightnBright
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Will get Lukaku back for Aubam next week

  20. Lukakwho
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Salah and Vardy - Kane and Ibe for a -4? Would leave me 1M ITB to do King to Gudmundsson for the DGW 34. I would then captain Kane?

  21. asif316uk
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone still with WC, triple captain and BB left. If so what is your plans to accommodate gw34, 35 and 37

    1. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      TC 34, couch 35, WC 36, BB 37

      1. jackx13
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Who are you 3C in 34? why not Kane in 36?

    2. Josebanus
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes mate WC live now BB34 TC37

      Current WC team
      DG - Pope
      Alonso - Dunk - Kiko - Chil - Low
      Ken - Mahrez - Lingard - Will - GroB
      Auba - Vardy - Kane

      1itb Auba to Luk GW34 play BB

  22. Robben Mee Blind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    How does this WC team look? Keeping money in bank for potential Salah return at some point after GW35 (BB34, FH35):

    DDG Ryan
    Alonso Vert Morgan Lowton Chilwell
    Alli Mahrez Lingard Gross Milli
    Kane Auba (Lukaku in 34) Barnes

    1. jackx13
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salah?

  23. DR0GBA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Best option for GW34?

    A) Lukaku, Alli, Son
    B) Kane, Alli, Pogba

    Will Kane heavily outscore Lukaku who has better fixtures?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

  24. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    9 picks.

    10 if I get kane in.

    Going to be a disaster.

  25. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Kane in or not? Binning Salah would hurt a lot value wise

    DDG (Ryan)
    Alonso Mustafi Morgan (Tark Lawton)
    Mahrez Salah Willian Groß (Gudmundson)
    Lukaku Vardy Vardy

    1. Lukakwho
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Value doesn’t matter it’s so late

  26. bengan1113
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Forster/Fab
    Masu/Simpson/Chilwell/Morgan/Naughton
    Haz/Alli/Lingard/Gross/Kenedy
    Kane/Morata/Luka

    FH 35, BB 37.

    Hoping for Leicester cs...

    G2g?

  27. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any sign of a leaked Liverpool line-up?

    Will be worth a few bob this weekend.

    1. Lukakwho
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes no salah or Firmino or robertson

      1. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Solan(k)e

  28. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Given the current team news i.e doubts over Mee, Salah, Robertson and Firmino

    What in your opinion is the best use of chips for this team

    De Gea Lossl

    Coleman Robertson Mee Daniels Zanka

    Salah Walcott Doucoure Kenedy Pritchard

    Aubameyang Vardy Firmino

    WC GW33
    BB GW34
    FH GW35
    TC GW37

    or

    FH GW34
    TC GW35
    WC GW36
    BB GW37

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  29. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Im getting tempted by Sonaldo C lads.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Do it.

      1. CloudSky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Auba just looks so...safe.

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm doing it

  30. TallestJohn
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    So close to doing Salah → Son, I just think there's a small chance the latter could be rested this week (Kane up top, Lamela out wide perhaps) and if both start from the bench I'd rather have Salah this week.

    No doubt Son will get more minutes over the next couple of weeks though, and it's a really convenient way for me to afford Kane.