Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 259 – Smooth

Just as we witnessed in Gameweek 31, the Free Hit chip does its thing, granting the ScoutCast crew and many in the Fantasy Football Scout community the smoothest of landings as we begin preparations for another Double Gameweek take-off.

Jonty, Andy and Az join me for the Gameweek 35 post-mortem, as, driven by your questions, we ponder whether this season’s debut chip has rendered the blanks as the best opportunity for a rank hike.

However, this is no time to rest on our laurels, with another double-header looming. That fuels discussion on Manchester City, Spurs and even Swansea City’s players; assets at opposite ends of the Fantasy spectrum, united by the potential of two fixtures in Gameweek 37.

To invest in those spoils, we need to make sacrifices, so we assess the midfield makeweights and ponder if Marcos Alonso can finally shake Jonty’s curse, or whether we should all cash in on the Blues banned wing-back.

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.

1,696 Comments Post a Comment
  1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Better combo for gw37
    A) bavies + city mid(other than Sterling)
    B) Eriksen + mawson
    C) Eriksen + city defender

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      B

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      A

    3. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      B

    4. FplBerg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      B

  2. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Monreal > Davies for free

    Yay or nay?

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Yes

    2. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Why yay though? What's wrong with Montreal?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        Too Canadian

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        Nothing at all, I just think Davies will score more until the end of the season and binning Monreal is only realistic way of me getting a Spurs defender

        1. The Head-Ake
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 days ago

          There is however a chance than Davies gets benched in of the 2 matches.

          1. Fantasy Gold
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 11 days ago

            All depends on Rose’s fitness.

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Yay

    4. KenyaDigIt
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Yay! Davies for sure...

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks all

  3. insertcomedyname
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Out of Sane and Silva, which needs to work harder to secure a place in the first 11 at the World Cup? Trying to pick between the two. Tempted by Silva as I think he'll get more minutes.

    1. jackx13
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Sane has to work way harder to get a WC spot. Silva looks like a guaranteed starter for Spain in the form that he is in. However, given his personal issues there might be the chance that he misses the tournament.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        Doubt Silva would miss the tournament after making sure that he plays in all of the games he has for Man City

      2. insertcomedyname
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks. Do we know whether Silva's personal issues are still ongoing?

  4. Darthshearer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Getting Nervy with my mini league, need some advice!

    Dubravka
    Lowton | VVD | Lascelles
    Son | Kenedy | Salah | Sterling
    Barnes | Jesus | Vardy

    DDG | Arnautovic | Femenia | Alonso

    This week I have already gone for Mahrez to Sterling. I have 0FT remaining and £1.8 ITB. Do I hold for another week and then get shut of Alonso? Do I take a hit this week?

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      I wouldn't want Alonso too. Degrade him next week to upgrade one of Vardy or Jesus to Kane

      1. Fantastisk
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        How degrading.

        1. The Head-Ake
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 days ago

          *downgrade lmao

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      I would keep this week Maybe sell him and Vardy next week to get Kane in if he looks on form this week

    3. Darthshearer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Thanks guys!

  5. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Current team:

    De Gea Ryan
    Alonso Bailly Morgan Vertoghen Lowton
    Gross Lingard Willian Mahrez Salah
    Austin Vardy Kane

    Which option is better:
    A)Smalling and Sterling for Mahrez and Bailly(-4)
    B)Van der hoon/fernandez and Sterling for Mahrez and Bailly (-4)

    If b) i could save some money and put it in midfield
    Thx

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      B but I wouldn't lose Sterling if I were you

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Would keep Sterling to be honest

    3. FplBerg
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      I'd go A.

      Others replies seem to think you're selling Sterling rather than buying.

      1. Tabbara
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        exactly thank you

  6. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Mahrez + Willian + Alonso -> Sterling + Silva + Vert done. Pray with me 🙂

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Ooh, tough one, hope it pans out well 🙂

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      May the Lord be with you

    3. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      ⚔ May the force be with you ⚔

  7. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Bottomed;
    Pope
    Vert, Chilwell, Lowton
    Willian, Gudmund, Mahrez, Kenedy
    Kane (C), Lukaku, Vardy

    DDG, Gross, Smalling, Monreal

    A) Vardy & Mahrez > Jesus & Sane (-4)
    B) Lukaku, Mahrez, Willian > Jesus, Eriksen & Sane (-8)
    C) Lukaku, Mahrez, Gross > Jesus, Eriksen, Bilva (-8)
    D) Lukaku, Mahrez, Gross > Jesus, Son, Sane (-8)

    Think I'm leaning towards D.. If not A.

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      A. -8 isn't ideal tbf

  8. Mayor of Flair
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Should I double up and play Lowton and Tarkowski or start Mustafi for one?

    1. laveshp
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Im playing both Lowton & Tark and benching Firmino (On hold until AE releases something)

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Double up, can't see Arsenal reserves keeping a cleanie.

    3. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Double up Good home game against Brighton

  9. laveshp
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Kindly RATE MY TEAM for a BENCH BOOST GW37.
    (Team is SET FOR GW36, I have already used my transfer.. but there's no harm in pre-planning!)

    Remember.. Bench Boost GW37!

    De Gea - Dubravka
    Chilwell - Dummett - VDH - (Lowton - (Tarkowski)
    (Salah) - Silva - Sterling - Lingard - Gross
    Jesus - Kane - (Firmino)

    1.1 ITB.
    Players in (Brackets) have only a single fixture.

    After much consideration, I am willing to take up to a -8 (3 Transfers) for my bench boost, not more.

    Options:

    A. Firmino, Lowton, Tarkowski OUT for VARDY, BDAVIES, MASUAKU - 14DGW + SALAH!
    B. Firmino, Lowton, Tarkowski OUT for J.AYEW, ALONSO , (BELLERIN / MONREAL / SMALLING) - 14DGW + SALAH!
    C. Firmino, Tarkowski, Gross OUT for VARDY, ARNIE, CEDRIC (or a 4.7 DEF) - 13DGW + SALAH & LOWTON!
    D. Firmino, Tarkowsi, Gross OUT for J.AYEW, ARNIE, ALONSO - 13DGW + SALAH & LOWTON!

    E. Any other suggestions? I'm quite comfortable budget-wise, its just the point hits which are a concern.

    Side Question, anyone think I should hang on to Gross (DGW MU&MC) as a differential?
    Should I offload Lingard instead?

    10th out of 100 in my Mini-League
    Overall Rank: 77,103
    Current Points: 2043.

    Any advice appreciated!! Thanks gents!!

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Think A is best option
      Stick with Lingard

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Just sit back, relax and watch what happens in GW36 first. There's just too much going on here tough to get a grip of this one. So much can happen before GW37 that all your plans could go out of the window

      1. laveshp
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        True, you told me yesterday to step away from the keyboard lol

  10. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    DDG
    Smalling Mustafi Chilwell Christensen
    Salah Sterling Eriksen Willian
    Auba Kane(c)

    (Mariappa - Crouch - Romeu - Henessey) (-4, no chips left, No WC). Is this team good enough for DGW37? Would love your thoughts 🙂

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Help :/

    2. laveshp
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      It's good enough. I would personally swap Willian (not nailed) to Arnautovich (WHU's main man) for GW37 🙂

    3. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Looks solid but Arni for William imo

  11. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    If Salah isn't starting, I will do Salah > Eriksen for a - 4. If he is due to start, would Mahrez & Alonso > Eriksen & Laporte be worth a - 8?

    Rival who is 38 behind has brought in Eriksen this week so would cover that

    1. jackx13
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Nope. Hit not worth it at all imo.

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Not worth the -8 imo

  12. Jubilanus / BSC Small Boys …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Current defense of Alonso, Morgan, Long, Lowton and Tarko.

    Just start the 3 Burnley boys?

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Well Alonso is banned. But I think Id stick Morgan in rather than have too much burnley just incase.

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Could pay off with having Brighton at Home

    3. Ranger3
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      I would go 3 burnley, best clean sheet chance.. Palace should score

  13. ltd-ffc
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Morning people!

    is it worth me taking a hit on this team this week?

    I would of liked to free up funds for kane next GW. I have been told Mane is out also

    Pope
    Davies Long Baines
    Mane Zaha Salah Kenedy
    Auba Firmino Jesus

    Subs: Foster Bednarek Shindler milivojevic

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Yeah it looks like Mane had a small issue. My thoughts are he is rested this weekend to be ready for Wed.

    2. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Maybe Mane to Sterling this week

      1. ltd-ffc
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        thanks!

  14. Salah'd n Sauce
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Must have bottomed somewhere...

    DDG
    Monreal Ward Valencia
    Alli Son Mahrez Willian Sterling
    Vardy Jesus

    Ryan Barnes Lowton Morgan

    This look g2g or does double Utd at the back cause issues. Would consider either Ryan or Lowton.

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      It's fine. Don't double on Burnley yet. Save.

      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        cheers

  15. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    De Gea
    VVD Otamendi Lowton
    Grob Zaha Serling Salah(C)
    Barnes Firmino Jesus

    Pickford Walcott Christensen Chilwell

    GTG? Have I chosen the right players to bench?

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Id say you are g2g

  16. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    good to go this week?

    DDG
    TAA Smalling Schindler
    Salah Sterling Gross Shaqiri
    Kane (c) Auba Jesus

    Adrian Chilwell Daniels Ki

    1. laveshp
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      TAA I would assume would be rested.

  17. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    I think that my team is good for GW36:
    DDG
    Smalling - tarkowski - robertson
    son - salah - sterling - willian
    kane - barnes - jesus

    only one doubt: captain--> salah, kane or sterling?

    For GW37: barnes, salah, robertson --> lukaku, davies, midfielder 4.7 (-4)?

    News for AE? in case i can anticipate the transfer: salah+barnes --> lukaku+carrol (-4)

    1. Transferred Out
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      If Annie Express confirms Salah starting I think you have to captain him

      1. Tosa86
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        and kane to cover?
        if AE confirms salah out i need to anticipate lukaku pick?

  18. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Play Dummett or double up on long and Lowton.

    1. jackx13
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Dummet if no other NEW defender. Spread the risk.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Dummett!

    3. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Give Dummett a place

  19. SFC Fan 123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Ederson, Maenpaa
    Hunemeier, Smalling, Vertonghen, Cedric, Alexander Arnold,
    Salah, Sterling, Eriksen, Milivojevic, King,
    Austin, Jesus, Kane

    Thoughts using wildcard to create this team?

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Ayew stead of Austin. Do you have BB left?

      1. SFC Fan 123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        I do but couldn't work out who to take out to make the sub GK/Defender any better - planning to use BB in GW37 though.
        I agree on Ayew, but I'm a Saints fan so have to believe Austin will turn up eventually!

  20. Transferred Out
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Stuck with what do here:
    A. Mahrez -> Sterling
    B. Alonso + Willian -> Davies/Vert + Sterling (-4)

    DDG
    Bailly Morgan Lowton
    Mahrez Salah Willian Son
    Kane Vardy Barnes

    Ryan Long Alonso Hjobjerg

    1. Tekkerslovakiaftw
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      A

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      A

    3. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      C -save and reassess next week

  21. Tekkerslovakiaftw
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Mahrez + Alonso -> Sterling and naughton for a hit ? Gives me enough money to get Jesus for vardy next week

    1. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      I avoid transfer out player who have dgw. Keep Mahrez for this week, but Alonso may out as no one sure he will play both games in dgw

  22. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Play 1:
    1-Barnes
    2-Tarkowski
    3-Gross

    1. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Barnes

    2. Tekkerslovakiaftw
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Barnes

    3. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Thanks All

  23. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    G2G? Right captain?

    DDG
    Smalling, Bavies, Lowton
    Sterling(c), Alli, Willian, Eriksen
    Barnes, Lukaku, Vardy

    Ryan, Gross, Morgan, Dunk

  24. Wednesday1
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Just finalising my wildcard team, any thoughts

    A) J Ayew, Salah, Arnautovic

    B) Perez, Eriksen, Willian

    Cheers

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      A.

  25. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Courtois
    Lowton, Robertson, Tomkins
    Salah, Arnie, Mili, DSilva
    (K)ane, Lukaku, Barnes

    Cech, Smalling, Kenedy, Morgan

    GTG? Correct bench order etc?

  26. brenks
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Who will get most minutes till the end of season?
    A) Sane
    B) Sterling
    C) Dilva
    D) Bilva

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      B, A, C, D in that order I think

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Sterling

  27. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Pick 3 to start please
    A) Tarkowski
    B) Lowton
    C) Chilwell
    D) Morgan

    Currently thinking A, B, C...
    Thoughts?

    1. laveshp
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      ABC!

      1. enrico.palazzo
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks!

  28. Bezz82
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    If I use my free hit in GW 37, but dont make a transfer this week (36) will I get 2 free transfers for GW38?
    Or will the free hit re set everything?
    I don’t desperately need a change but don’t want to lose a free transfer.

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      You lose your transfers and revert to 1 next week - no ways around it

  29. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Any help with my team would be appreciated

    DDG Ryan
    Vertonghen Christensen Chilwell Lowton Dunk
    Alli Son Mahrez Willian Lingard
    Lukaku Vardy Wood

    Thanks in advance

  30. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 11 days ago

    Currently don't have either Sterling or Salah. Going to bring 1 back in this week 1 back in next week. Who should I bring in this week? I'm currently thinking Sterling 1st as Salah has to be likely to be rested with the 2nd leg of the semi next week. Thoughts please lads?

    1. Ryanu2
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 days ago

      Wait for AE info on Salah He may not be rested this week