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. Winter_is_coming
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Would you play Austin ahead of Pogba this gameweek?

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

      I wouldnt

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

      I would. Austin is a top pick this week

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

        I keep hearing this. Yet he never starts

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Definitely not. Pogba vs 2nd string Arsenal could do well

    4. Ryanu2
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No Pogba for me

  2. nevins84
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which one do i bench???

    A)Perez

    B)Kennedy

    1. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Must be brazilian.

    2. FPL ElasticO
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

        Perez

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

      B

    4. zotter
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Perez

    5. Ryanu2
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kenedy

  3. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Best defender for 5.4m?

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

      Jones

    2. zotter
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Cedric perhaps

  4. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Safe to get Fernandez on WC?

    Will he play in DGW37?

    1. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just pick Naughton and forget.

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

      Isn’t he flagged ?

  5. SuperMario
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    DDG (Ryan)
    Lowton - Long - Morgan (Alonso* - Van der Hoorn)
    Mahrez - Salah - Son - Willian (Gross)
    Lukaku - Vardy - Barnes

    Leaked Salah news means he stays in the team, woo!

    A. Alonso, Mahrez & Lukaku ---> Bavies, Sterling & Kane (-8) ??
    B. Lukaku ---> Jesus
    C. Other

    Would A be a wild move or smart for the last few weeks? Likely need hits over the coming weeks and this should set me up for DGW. Have the EXACT cash though so would need to be tonight..

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

      B

    2. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      My team is very very similar to yours, I am saving my transfer so that I have two for next week when I plan to transfer in Kane.

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

        Your not too worried about Kane this gameweek?

        1. Quality Quality Qualit
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Yes I am a bit, but I rarely take hits and I am more concerned about having him for TC in GW 37 and would rather leave the transfers as late as possible in case of injuries.

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

            Yeah I get ya.. V tempting though!

            1. Quality Quality Qualit
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Good luck with whichever choice you make!

  6. Bobby_Baggio
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Right here it goes. Choose which WC team you prefer please? I'm BB in GW37 so emphasis on 15DGW players. Thanks.

    A) McCarthy - Ddg
    Naughton - Jones - Masuaku - Chilwell - Dummett
    DSilva - Son - Eriksen - Ramsey - Sterling
    Kane - Jesus - JAyew

    B) Fab - Ddg
    Monreal - Smalling - Vert - Dummett - Cedric
    DSilva - Son - Lingard - Ramsey - Sterling
    Kane - Jesus - JAyew

    C) McCarthy - Ddg
    Monreal - Jones - Vert - Dummett - Bednarek
    DSilva - Son - Arnautovic - Ramsey - Sterling
    Kane - Jesus - JAyew

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm a big Ramsey fan but don't think I'd have him on WC. Will probably only play 2 of remaining 4 fixtures and is always an injury risk.

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

        Tough as I like him and think he'll score well in the dgw

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

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

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

    Good to go?

    Pope
    Dummett, Robertson, Otamendi
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Zaha
    Kane, Jesus, Murray

    Bench: Coleman, Chilwell, Naughton, Ibe

    -4, 0.1 ITB

    Wanne use Triple C this GW as I will use Bench Boost next GW. Salah or Kane for C?

  9. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Play Mahrez or Gudmundsson?

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

      gud

    2. Ryanu2
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Mahrez

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

    1FT and 0.5 spare. Mahrez > Alli/Son? Can't afford Eriksen.

    De Gea
    Vertonghen - Chilwell - Lowton
    Salah - Lingard - Willian - Mahrez
    Kane - Lukaku - Barnes

    Ryan - Christensen - Morgan - Ibe

  11. You Kanté Touch This
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Who is the best replacement for Alonso. Happy to go anywhere was thinking Davis but concerned Rose rotation. Possibly Cedric, Moses? Any ManU or City? Just so hard to call pitch time over coming weeks...

    1. You Kanté Touch This
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Or even Arsenal?

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      If you could use the money elsewhere, I'd downgrade him to Naughton - nailed, something to play for, good DGW fixtures, lots of money itb.

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Vert

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

      i m going davies

    5. Ryanu2
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Vertongen Safe option

  12. Hardly Athletic
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Bench a or b?

    a. Smalling (home to Arsenal)
    b. Chilwell (away to Crystal Palace)

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Kane (9 times - 86 points - average 9.6 points)
    Salah (8 times - 192 points - average 24 points)
    Lukaku (7 times - 100 points - average 14.3 points)
    Morata (2 times - 6 points - average 3 points)
    Jesus (2 times - 16 points - average 8 points)
    Eriksen (2 times - 46 points - average 23 points)
    Agüero (2 times - 16 points - average 8 points)
    Sterling (1 times - 26 points - average 26 points)
    Hazard (1 times - 12 points - average 12 points)
    Alli (1 times - 6 points - average 6 points)

    Guess I'm a bad FPL player, shouldhave been obvious to me say from GW 10 to always keep the armband on Salah!

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

      I feel bad for you at how long that must have taken to write 🙁

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        No, copy from fpl statistico website.

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

          Ah good, good man.

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

    Should I Swap

    A. Lukaku out for Jesus

    Or

    B. Mahrez out for Sterling

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

      b

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

    Help please?

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

  16. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Kaku to Jesus worth a free?

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

      Yeah. You'll do it next week anyway

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

    thoughts on Auba > Kane?

    With dgw coming, seems like waste of transfer to transffer our dgw player

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes for me

  18. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which would you prefer? No city attackers in my team

    A) Mahrez to Sterling for free (I don’t have Vardy)
    B) Mahrez and Lukaku to Salah and Jesus (-4)

  19. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Premier League records

    Most goals in season: Chelsea 103
    Most wins: Chelsea (30)
    Most points: Chelsea (95)

    City already broke most consecutive wins this season and currently on 98 goals, 29 wins, 90 points. So all 3 records within reach.

    Pep spoke about breaking records last week ... Raheem (c) anyone?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      So many good captaincy options this week. Kane or Salah for me though

  20. Blanka
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Need Sterling.

    How does Walcott to Sterling and Aubameyang to Vardy sound?

    Bearing in mind Vardy also double gw 37 as well.

  21. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Need to free up cash for jesus & sterling for GW37 ... so whats best transfer this week ?

    Alonso ... to a or b ?

    a) cedric
    b) mawson
    c) lascelles

    Tnks guys.

  22. zon
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which pair for the season run in? Concerned about W&A's minutes.

    A) Mahrez + Mawson (-4)
    B) Willian + Alonso

  23. WDT
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    The sheer amount of options this week for transfers judging by all these frantic questions should hopefully make for great variation in scores. Big scope to move up/down if one gets it right.

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Some wild stuff being proposed

  24. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Guys need reviews....G2G for this Gwk...
    DDG
    Davies/ Smalling/ Lowton
    Sterling/ Son/ Salah(c)/ Willian
    Kane/ Vardy/ Barnes
    Bench:: Ryan/ Lingard/ Dunk/ Morgan

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

    Jesus is not looking good. Gotta be the worst form player included in scout picks. Avoid and bookmark this

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      You will do well to deter people from a City striker v 'weak' opposition. What's not to like ?

    2. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      The man who scored last week and playing in one of the best attacking teams the pl has ever seen. What could possibly go wrong

  26. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any leaked lineups???

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just joking. I checked for myself

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

        Good joke

  27. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    What would you do with this team? Dnt really know which issue to address first.

    DDG
    Christensen*-Lowton-Vertonghen
    Mahrez-Pogba-Willian-Gross
    Barnes-Kane-Lukaku

    Subs: Ryan-Alonso*-Morgan*-Ibe

    1Ft & 0.3itb

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

    a) Alli and van der Hoorn
    b) Son and Mawson

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

    Scout Picks.

    Always do well when I don't have many of their picks and crap when I do have loads of them.

  30. PlayPercentage
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Firmino -> Jesus?
    At home to Stoke, but possible rotation risk.

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

      Firmino is in the lineup

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

      bad bad move !!!