Scout Picks
27 April 2018 1311 comments
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There’s a full quota of matches to choose from this time around as we reveal the players from our midweek Scout Squad article to make the Gameweek 36 line-up.

Premium assets among Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City’s ranks are a priority, so we’ve gone bargain hunting to fill many of the remaining berths in our 84 million budgeted XI.

This starts between the sticks, with Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka (4.5) earning a spot for the visit of bottom club West Brom.

Clean sheet prospects look strong for the Slovakian, given that the Magpies defence has conceded just once in their last four St James’ Park encounters – a record tally they share with Liverpool.

We’ve made further savings by drafting Burnley defender Kevin Long (4.1) into our three-man backline. With regular centre-back Ben Mee still on the sidelines, the Irishman looks certain to start once again at home to Brighton to promise points in both penalty areas.

Long has earned a goal – from a corner – and an assist since deputising for Mee over the Clarets’ last four matches. Meanwhile, Chris Hughton’s side are particularly vulnerable from set-pieces, shipping 20 goals, including a league-high 14 from corners.

The Liverpool recent resilience at Anfield has persuaded us to loosen the purse strings and turn to centre-back Virgil van Dijk (5.7) for the visit of a Stoke City side that has mustered just three goals from their last six away matches.

We also harbour some hope that the Dutchman can deliver attacking returns. Always a threat at set-plays, he has already scored once for his new club, in the FA Cup, and has four goals in the league since arriving in the English top flight in 2015.

Ben Davies’ (5.8) potential is strong ahead of Watford’s visit to Wembley on Monday. The Hornets last scored on the road in the league on New Year’s Day and have shipped 14 away goals over that period.

The Welshman, meanwhile, has been in excellent form this season, involved (either scoring or assisting) in nine goals, which is more than any other defender. His rate of one key pass every 49 minutes also makes him the season’s most creative regular starting defender.

Team-mate and fellow left-back Danny Rose is expected to return to the squad for Monday’s encounter, but we’re still willing to take the risk on Davies retaining a starting berth and delivering returns.

Liverpool’s top-four status is still far from secure, so it looks like Mohamed Salah’s (10.6) potent threat will be required against Stoke, despite the small matter of a Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Roma to come in midweek.

Jurgen Klopp’s press conference suggested that he would make few changes to the line-up that defeated the Italian side 5-2 at Anfield.

So it seems that Salah will start and he will be primed to add to a tally of 31 league goals, particularly as it took him just 23 minutes – off the bench – to deliver a brace and 13 points against the Potters in the reverse fixture.

Salah is also on a scoring run of seven straight league matches at home, while the Stoke defence have been dire on their travels conceding 37 goals – only West Ham have allowed more (42).

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (9.0) will collide with that Hammers defence at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The winger found the net, and also earned an assist, to grab 11 points against Swansea City last weekend and has delivered attacking returns in each of his last five appearances. That form has made him the most popular midfield signing ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.

Spurs’ Son Heung-min (8.3) takes another of our five midfield places, based on his strong home form and Watford’s frailties in away matches.

The South Korean has delivered nine goals and five assists at Wembley, where he is top for goal involvement (43%) among Spurs assets. He also has a taste for big scores against Watford, returning 19 points in last season’s encounter and finding the net at Vicarage Road in Gameweek 15’s reverse fixture.

Similarly, Wilfried Zaha (6.9) scored in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 away victory over Leicester City in Gameweek 18. We’re backing him to find the net again when the two sides meet at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Three goals and two assists in the Eagles’ last six four builds a case for his inclusion, as does the Foxes’ solitary clean sheet from their last four road trips.

Since cementing a starting berth in Gameweek 10, set-piece specialist Johann Gudmundsson (5.0) has been pivotal to Burnley’s attacking ploys, with more assists (seven) than any team-mate. He’s also scored twice over that period and has four assists from the last five Gameweeks.

Brighton’s visit to Turf Moor should hand him plenty of opportunities to add to that tally, given the Seagull’s fragility on set-plays.

Harry Kane (12.9) has plenty of motivation to put Watford to the sword on Monday night as he attempts to chase down a Salah’s five-goal advantage in the race for the Golden Boot.

Over his last four run-outs Kane has mustered just seven shots, two off Son’s figure and substantially behind Christian Eriksen’s 14 attempts.

But across the season, his Wembley form has been strong, knocking Salah into second for shots (101 to 82), shots in the box (64 to 61) and efforts on target, by 43 to 40.

Kane is currently the top Gameweek 36 target among FPL managers, with more than 139,000 transfers-in, and also leads our captain poll.

Gabriel Jesus (10.2) looks set to escape Pep Guardiola’s rotation while Sergio Aguero continues his recovery from knee surgery. The Brazilian faces West Ham’s erratic defence having found the net three times and collected as many assists over his last four starts.

Southampton boss Mark Hughes will surely have earmarked his side’s home encounter with Bournemouth as a must-win match in their bid to avoid relegation. This has prompted us to hand a bench spot to right-back Cedric Soares (4.7), who has earned two assists and a clean sheet in his last three run-outs.

Marko Arnautovic (7.0) also merits a mention on the back of an exceptional run of form, with four goals and an assist in his last eight starts, including a 16-point FPL haul at home to Southampton in Gameweek 32.

This should be enough for him to reward our faith against City, who may well rotate their backline with the title secure. The Sky Blues failure to keep a clean sheet in three of their last four run-outs also bodes well for the Austrian.

We have turned back to Southampton for our reserve striker selection, with Charlie Austin (5.8) claiming a call-up.

Even though he has been benched in three of the last four matches, Austin has made the most of his chances, firing in a shot every 32 minutes and scoring in an 18-minute cameo off the bench against Arsenal in Gameweek 33.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 33 is Nani. R U Ok?, who has opted for a 3-5-2 line up of Pope; Gomez, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold; Willian, Son, Hazard, Eriksen, D. Silva; Lukaku, Firmino.

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.

The champion to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.

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

  1. manu4life99
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    A) Vert
    B) Davies

    Need dgw def and also security as benchboosting GW38

    1. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Vert if you need security

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      i m going Davies and will probably regret it 🙂

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Couple of quick ones:
    1) gross to drop in price tonight?

    2) alonso or Davies (-4)?

    3A) Cedric silva sterling jesus (-8)
    3B) alonso willian sterling jesus (-4)

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

    Lukaku + Mahrez + Dunk -> Jesus + Salah + 3.8 (need this for funds) for -8. Do it?

  4. Kun Tozser
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Bench one

    Mahrez
    Milivojevic
    Arnautovic

  5. yakirh
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Cant decide what to do here please help

    Pick 1 to start:
    A - Tomkins
    B - Chilwell

    Pick 1 to start:
    1 - Mahrez
    2 - Milli

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

      a1

  6. estheblessed
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Captain

    a) Sterling (WH away)
    b) Eriksen (WAT home)

    ?

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

      B safer choice

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

      b

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

    2 picks but no Salah. It was nice knowing you rank.

  8. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Good to go?

    DDG
    Chilwell Lejuene Cedric
    Salah(C) Sterling Lingard Cork
    Kane(VC) Vardy Lukaku

    McCarthy Carroll Femenia Naughton

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    https://www.anfieldexpress.com/

    AE now have a website. They're really looking to cash in on these leaks aren't they?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Same person?

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Of course. But as soon as the leaks stop they are f***ed

  10. as33
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hey, have non from City players
    Schmeichel/Hennessey
    Verto, Alexander, Lowton, Chilwell, Schelotto
    Mahrez, Hazard, Arnie, Lingard, Gross
    Kane, Kaku, Barnes
    My rivals has Sterling, Jesus. Currently 1st by 10pnts, should i swap Kaku>Jesus? is Alexander will b rested? thanks

  11. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    I guess Ville Rönkä going without Salah too

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      If so then he's Finnished.

      1. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        He's only 28

      2. BurkyBoy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        If so then he’s Finnish..

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

      He can get him with 1ft if he wants

  12. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    DDG
    Lowton | Morgan** | Tarkowski
    Son | Mahrez | Willian | Salah
    Barnes | Vardy | Kane
    Ryan | Alonso* | Robertson* | LCook

    1 FT & 0.0 ITB

    A. Alonso >> Bavies
    B. save FT

    ?

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

    whats the plan for salah in gw37
    A)keep
    b)sell for a season keeper like erik/sterling and dont look back
    c)sell and have a buyback plan for gw38

    1. Gazj11
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Probably bench

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

        Nice idea mate didn't think about it. Could do Barnes to ayew and bench salah

    2. Naboo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Gotta be a or c

  14. Gooner Kebab
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Pick one for this week and BB

    a) Salah + Fabianki
    b) Son + DDG

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

  15. weaver93
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    .any changes here guys??
    A -Alonso -B Davies =0
    B. Alonso & Mahrez - Davies & Salah = -4
    C. Mahrez & Lukaku - Salah & Jesus = -4
    D - All three for a -8..

    DDG, Ryan
    Alonso*,Morgan,Chilwell,Tarkowski, Lowton
    Alli,Mahrez, Willian,Lingard, Cook
    Kane,Lukaku, Barnes.
    1FT 1.4 ITB
    thanks

  16. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which spurs def do you prefer?

    A) Vertonghen.

    B) Bavies

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

      B

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

      Vert play all games but no attacking points.
      Bavies will play maybe 3 of 4 games.

  17. Rash
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    I'm hoping this week give me slight edge against the GW35 FHers as I'm already loaded up on city attack

  18. lasmons
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    With these defenders:
    Lowton - Smalling - Morgan* - Monreal* - Robertson*

    With three of them beeing rotation risks - would you take a hit and bring in a dgw def for a hit?
    Or just hope for one of Morgan / Monreal to play?

  19. OLLY G
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    (A) Hold Mahrez

    (B) Mahrez to Salah -4

    (C) Mahrez to Sterling -4

    Thanks.

    1. Ruud000
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Exactly this. Without the -4

    2. Ruud000
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm leaning to Salah because he's definitely starting.

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

    First 3 answers decide it! Lukaku + Mahrez + Dunk -> Jesus + Salah + 3.8 (need this for funds) for -8. Do it?

    1. Ruud000
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Nope

  21. Marc
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any guesses on Man C lineup for Sunday?

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

      Ederson
      Walker Kompany Laporte Danilo
      Fernandinho
      Dsilva de Bruyne
      Sterling Jesus sane

  22. Rash
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone see potch beat Kane on the water bottle challenge.. bad omen maybe

  23. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    best defender to get. price doesnt matter as im selling alonso. already have 3 spurs

    1. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      for this week B.Davies, if you think Rose will be back for the double though, probably Vertonghen.

    2. Ruud000
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Ota

      Missed two games so should play.

  24. The Nuttmxn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is it worth keeping Azpilicueta looking forward to the double or ditch, am on WC.

  25. Ohhh Shola Ameobi
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Lukaku and Mahrez to Sterling and Jesus for a -4 worth it?

    Definitely want the latter pairing next week, but I have 2 more transfers I want to make then, and 2 -4s seem better than one -8?

    1. Ohhh Shola Ameobi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Fwiw, I have 0.5 ITB, so can do Mahrez to Sterling anyway.

    2. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I think so, no point in leaving Sterling as a differential against you and Jesus is the sole striker in such an attacking side.

  26. Lazerball
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Tough decision. I got no city.

    A. Mahrez to Sterling
    B. Lukaku to Jesus
    C. Both the above for -4

    1. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C.

  27. Albert_Luque
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Don't think I've really planned too well with the last few GWKs in mind. I want to get Kane in here with a minimum of hits in order to triple captain him next week, any advice on how to do that would be welcome.

    1FT, 0.2m ITB.

    DDG-Ryan
    Alonso-Mustafi-Maguire-Dummett-Lowton
    Mahrez-Son-Alli-Willian-Kenedy
    Lukaku-Vardy-Barnes

    1. Benditlike
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Alonso & Lukaku > Kane & Bavies ?

      1. DF
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        That's a lot of spurs

    2. Benditlike
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Im doing Lukaku, Vardy & Alonso > Kane, Jesus & Dummet

    3. Albert_Luque
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers guys, I'm thinking Mahrez and Lukaku to Kane and Lingard for a -4. Week after, Sterling and Jesus in for Alli and Vardy.

  28. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Will get Sterling this round or next round anyway. Which option do you think will get more points?

    A) Sterling vs West Ham(A), Arnautovic vs Leicester (A), Arnautovic vs Manchester U (H), Arnautovic vs Everton (H)
    B) Willian vs Swansea (A), Willian vs Liverpool (H), Willian vs Huddersfield H, Willian vs Newcastle(A) + 4p

    4 games, appreciated!

  29. Bissisine
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Rose will play one game in 37 and that's it right?
    Bavies should play 36, one in 37 and 38.

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

      Poch knows.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      thats what i m hoping 🙂

  30. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    quick captain poll guys ?

    Salah for me 🙂

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

      Yip.

    2. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      lol