Scout Squad
2 May 2018 1866 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Double Gameweek 37 is threatening to offer up more intrigue than a week in the life of Zelijko Buvac.

Rotation worries surrounding players from both Manchester clubs make them riskier prospects than their fixtures would suggest, while the make-up of Chelsea’s backline is far from settled and a certain Spurs striker is currently more hesitant breeze than hurricane.

Nonetheless, our ‘expert’ panel of Scout veterans Mark, Paul and Jonty, and Career Hall of Fame number one Peter Kouwenberg, haven’t been able to resist certain double delights, with Gabriel Jesus and Harry ‘rock you like a puff of wind’ Kane getting the thumbs-up across the board.

United keeper David De Gea is another promoting Scout-based harmony, with Raheem Sterling and Christian Eriksen looking like shoo-ins for midfield slots.

Things should get rather more tetchy after that, with Chelsea, Spurs and even beach-ready Leicester City players vying for defensive spots.

And the usual kerfuffle over formation might turn nasty, as the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jordan Ayew and whichever Arsenal striker starts up front this week attempt to persuade our men to go for three up top.

We’ll be back before Friday evening’s deadline with those that have made the cut and, in the meantime, here are the thoughts (cogent or otherwise) of the fairly fab four.

PaulJontyMarkPeter
GoalkeepersDavid De GeaDavid De GeaDavid De GeaDavid De Gea
Lukasz FabianskiLukasz FabianskiLukasz FabianskiLukasz Fabianski
Alex McCarthyMartin DubravkaEdersonAlex McCarthy
DefendersNicolas OtamendiChris SmallingBen DaviesCesar Azpilicueta
Marcos AlonsoCesar AzpilicuetaAlfie MawsonDanilo
Jan VertonghenJan VertonghenChris SmallingNacho Monreal
Chris SmallingAlfie MawsonDaniloBen Davies
Shkodran MustafiNacho MonrealHarry MaguireCedric Soares
MidfieldersRaheem SterlingRaheem SterlingRaheem SterlingRaheem Sterling
Christian EriksenChristian EriksenMarko ArnautovicChristian Eriksen
Marko ArnautovicMohamed SalahChristian EriksenEden Hazard
Eden HazardPaul PogbaPaul PogbaPaul Pogba
Aaron RamseyMarko ArnautovicDusan TadicMarko Arnautovic
ForwardsGabriel JesusHarry KaneHarry KaneGabriel Jesus
Harry KaneGabriel JesusGabriel JesusHarry Kane
Alexandre LacazettePierre-E AubameyangJordan AyewJamie Vardy
Marcus RashfordJordan AyewMarcus RashfordJordan Ayew
Charlie AustinOlivier GiroudCharlie AustinMarcus Rashford

 

Peter Says…

Oh how I envy those who are enjoying a Free Hit this week, as my picks are flooded with Double Gameweek players.

Admittedly, Gameweek 34 demonstrated that two matches far from guarantees 180 minutes on the pitch for our choices, but with Manchester City and Spurs (in particular) each enjoying a pair of very favourable fixtures, I’m hopeful that even a 90-minute foray will bring in the points.

It is only a shame that City don’t actually need six points from plum match-ups at home to Huddersfield and Brighton.

Nonetheless, it would be a major shock if they dropped points, and you have to fancy that they will find the net on numerous occasions in both outings. Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Danilo (pending news on Kyle Walker) come in, with Leroy Sané a more than able alternative.

Spurs arguably face a slightly tougher task, with West Brom fighting for their life (but also needing to push for victory) and Newcastle conceding no more than one goal in any of their last six matches.

Harry Kane will be top choice for many, notwithstanding his post-injury dip in form, while Christian Eriksen and Ben Davies also stand out.

The final top four side in my picks (as I regretfully overlook Liverpool on this occasion) is Manchester United.

David De Gea has a meagre three clean sheets in his last ten matches, but faces Brighton and West Ham.

Paul Pogba is not my first choice and does feel like a knee-jerk, but he and Marcus Rashford come within the mid-price range and both have the potential to do well.

In stark contrast, both Swansea City and Southampton know their Premier League existence is at stake.

Ideally, I would have liked a bit more attacking representation from those sides in recognition of that fact – so not just Jordan Ayew – but I’ve instead snapped up both stoppers (who could be very busy and might even be sighted in the opposing area depending on scorelines in the dying minutes), together with Cedric Soares as a cheaper alternative to Ryan Bertrand.

Paul Says…

As five of the top six teams are set to play twice in Double Gameweek 37, there is no shortage of big-hitters at our disposal.

I’ve opted for a host of attack-minded defenders, with injuries to Vincent Kompany and John Stones looking good for Nicolas Otamendi’s pitch-time.

Arsenal’s progress in the Europa League could play a part in our thinking when it comes to the attack. If the Gunners fail to overcome Atletico Madrid on Thursday, I reckon that rotation will be far less of an influence on Arsene Wenger’s teamsheets.

As evidenced as recently as Gameweek 35, where they both delivered double-digits against West Ham, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette could be the big differentials.

While the Frenchman is unlikely to force his way into our XI, Ramsey – at just 6.8 – looks an ideal alternative and has scored four times in his last four league outings.

Sitting in only 6.3% of squads and bought by just over 7,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, Eden Hazard’s goal threat has improved considerably in recent weeks, as highlighted in Tuesday’s Big Numbers article.

Over the last four Gameweeks, the Chelsea man’s score in our expected goal involvement numbers is bettered only by Man City pair Jesus and Sterling among Double Gameweek 37 players.

Elsewhere, both Charlie Austin (1%) and Rashford (6%) could be the budget-friendly differential picks up front.

The Saints are second only to Man City for big chances over the last four Gameweeks and have scored twice in all but one of those fixtures.

Meanwhile, Rashford’s pitch-time could benefit from concerns over Romelu Lukaku’s ankle problem, with Jose Mourinho perhaps protecting his top scorer ahead of the FA Cup final.

Jonty Says…

The Gameweek 32/33 Wildcard purge continues with my selections.

Not one Leicester player makes the cut following their recent decline in form, which hit a new low in Saturday’s embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Instead, assets from the two Manchester sides and Spurs dominate my thinking, with Swansea leading the budget options

City striker Jesus looks to be secure up front and, with four goals and three assists over his last five starts, is arguably the optimum triple captain shout.

Kane’s strike against Watford on Monday did enough to convince me he should be included and he may yet deserve the armband.

I’d certainly like to see a three-man frontline this week, with the exceptional value offered by Swansea’s Jordan Ayew (5.3) used to help free up vital funds across the rest of our XI.

Sterling’s run of three double-digit hauls in a row makes him my top midfielder for the Double Gameweek. Eriksen’s consistency deserves recognition, but I’d be equally happy if my colleagues want to back either Son Heung-min or Dele Alli.

My Man United picks are focused on defence, with De Gea and Chris Smalling looking strong candidates. If we are faced with a choice of only picking one, I’d like to see Smalling make the cut, with Swansea stopper Lukasz Fabianski an able replacement for the Spaniard.

At 7.9, Pogba is my pick of United’s attacking options, particularly as he has notched two scores of 10 points or more in his last four starts.

Mark Says…

While many of us had Wildcards active weeks ago in a bid to construct a squad for this round of extended fixtures, we knew that we would have to be flexible and switch our sights nearer the deadline.

The demise of Leicester’s options represents a notable shift, with both Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy unlikely to trouble Friday’s picks, despite facing two home matches.

Harry Maguire just about hangs on in my back five selection as I remain convinced that eventually his buccaneering style and frequent raids into the opposition’s half will eventually find reward.

Indeed, I’ve been fairly maverick in my defensive picks, snubbing Chelsea’s shifting backline and opting instead for the cut-price goal threat from Alfie Mawson, while also taking the opportunity to grab Danilo as cover in Man City’s rearguard should Walker miss out.

Somewhat controversially, the Blues and Hazard are also ignored in midfield. I just see Liverpool finally ending their top four ambitions at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, which could impact on their approach and teamsheet for the home encounter with Huddersfield.

It means I can keep a midfield spot open for Marko Arnautovic, who continues to be the apple of my eye. I can see him profiting from the King Power Stadium trip, in particular.

Pogba’s also in my five. An unlikely selection back when my Wildcard was active, Jose Mourinho’s recent policy of starting Ander Herrera in a 4-3-3 has been a game changer for the Frenchman.

With Lukaku’s power potentially ruled out of United’s frontline, I can see Pogba given even more freedom to raid the penalty area, as Rashford runs the channels.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 37 will be Red Arrows, who is just outside the top 10,000 and will be hoping to beat his career-high finish of 11,549 last season.

The community champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2017/18 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Last week’s champion, Nani R U OK?, was beaten 69-52 by the Scouts.

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

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

    Getting those DGW jitters that make you doubt all your logical decisions.

    I have Kane who, amazingly, could well be a differential in my ML as rivals have opted for Jesus and quality mids. Obvious choice is to whack the TC on him this week. But do I play a cheeky triple captain on D Silva, knowing Kane points will be like a Brucey Bonus and expecting Silva to pull the strings at City? Not chasing.

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

      not on d silva definitely not ! likely to miss one game imo

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

        I'm assuming he was rested to get the plaudits of the home crowd over the next 2.

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

          he ll play one but from what i understand his family matters are not sorted yet so he ll prioritise that over city and city will support him especially now they dont need to win anything

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

    good to go?

    DDG
    Smalling Monreal Davies
    Sterling Sane Eriksen Alli Arnie
    Jesus(TC) Vardy

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

      niiiccee !!!!!

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

      Great team

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

    chhheeekkkyyyy repost help please 🙂

    gtg ?

    DDG (Ryan)
    Davies/Bertrand/Morgan (Dunk/Lowton)
    Son/Eriksen/Pogba/Salah (gud)
    Jesus(TC) / vardy / austin

    0 ft, 2.8 m itb

    not keen on taking any hits as chasing but more than happy to hear any recommendations. thanks a lot !!

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

      morgan to smalling

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

        thanks

  4. Back 🙂

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

    Jesus triple captain!

    It's the common sense choice.

    Who is with me??

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'd do so if I was a Jesus owner

    2. a1danslat3
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      me :-\

    3. Flying Finns
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  6. martyhan
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Salah to Ericksen for -4? Have 1m itb to get him back for 38

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

      I did the same but with Pogba.

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

    If Lukaku out is Rashford likely to get 2 starts /and therefore DGW 37 option?

    1. Flying Finns
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  8. a1danslat3
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    VVD to Smalling or Laporte -4 ? Chasing rival has no City or United

  9. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    how's it looking? (would be a -12 to get it)

    DDG
    Otamendi Naughton Chilwell
    Hazard Sterling Pogba Arnie Kenedy
    Kane Jesus

    Ryan Morgan Barnes Lowton

  10. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    1. Vardy, Salah, Son
    2. Vardy, Sanchez/Hazard/KDB, Son (-4)
    3. Vardy, Sanchez, Sane (-8)
    4. Kane, Pogba, Son (-8)
    5. Vardy, Hazard, Pogba (-8)
    6. Kane, Sane, Pogba (-12)

    As you can see I’m stuck...

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      2

    2. a1danslat3
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      2. KDB

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

      Not overly convinced by Son, but 2 with KDB or Hazard
      Wouldn’t do -8

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Son is in my team now so yeah a -8 is only way I can take him out and bring in KDB

      2. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Frustratingly I am 0.1 off Hazard + KDB

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

          Balls

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

    GTG peeps? How’s she looking?

    DDG
    Smalling Cedric Chilwell
    Sterling(TC) Pogba Alli Kenedy
    Jesus Auba Vardy

    Bench: Hennessey Mili Kompany Tark

    Currently on -4 with 1.9 ITB, which I plan on using to get Salah back for 38.

    Happy to be Kaneless.
    2nd in ML with 7 points separating the top 3.
    Neither rival has Kane either. Leader will TC Sterling or Jesus.

    Any thoughts?

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

    Gudmundsson to Fernandino/Tadic for a hit or dont bother and play 10 DGW players?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Tadic

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

      Tadic decent punt. So much to play for and he seems to have come alive a bit stats wise

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

    a) Gud > Fernandinho (-4)
    b) Gud + Bailly > Arnie + Naughton (-8)
    c) Gud + Bailly + Willian > Arnie + Mawson + Ramsey (-12)
    d) Something else

    Current team:

    De Gea, Ryan
    Alonso, Vertonghen, Bailly, Morgan, Lowton
    Eriksen, Alli, Sterling, Willian, Gudmundsson
    Jesus, Vardy, Barnes

    Thanks.

  14. a1danslat3
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is the site not loading comments ? or is it me

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

      Went weird for a bit and all comments on all posts disappeared, but came back. Seems ok now.

  15. Lignja
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Can i have some help on this, thanks.

    My team:
    Ddg/Ryan
    Alonso, Smalling*, Morgan (Lowton, Long)
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Wilian (Hojberg)
    Kane*, Jesus, Ayew

    His:
    Loris
    Smalling*, Azpi, Monreal (Taa, Kenny)
    Pogba, Sane, Kenedy, Ramsey (McArtur)
    Kane*, Morata, Vardy

    Im leading with 14 pts in our cash mini league, he have tc and bb and i have only tc, Do i tc Kane to block his probably Kane tc, and hope others do the job, or tc Jesus

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

      Quite amazing you have such different teams.
      His team is pretty punty with Ramsey, Morata, Pogba, etc, but no Sterling or Jesus will surely hurt him.
      I’d be sticking TC on one of them instead.

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

        i bealive he will swap Morata for Jesus..

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

        but yes he run rly different team allmost all season

  16. JayLegend
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Ki Sung-yueng being overlooked?

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

      That’s a good shout. Have not seen his name mentioned anywhere in these RMT’s.

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

      Yes

  17. Erez Avni
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    will Bauer (palace) get more points then Schindler (City & Chelsea)?

  18. Dybala10
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Small margins I know, but who are the best Swansea/Southampton duo?

    A) Fernandez & Cedric
    B) Mawson & Bednarek
    C) Naughton & Yoshida

  19. mabz1303
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Vote please:

    A) Tadic & Quaner
    B) Milivojevic & J Ayew

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

      B

      1. mabz1303
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        thanks

  20. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Andre Ayew too much if you already own King?

    Feel AA might be better pick than Tadic.

    1. mabz1303
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Who's AA?

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

        Well, Andre Ayew obviously...

  21. mabz1303
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Will Laporte play all remaining matches?

    Thanks

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Not all. Maybe 1 or 2

  22. Erez Avni
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    need help please... I'm leading my ML by 20 points and need to avoid mistakes...

    ederson (karius)
    maguire bauer dummett (schindler daniels)
    sterling milo salah lingard shaqiri
    kane jesus (wilson)

    a. salah & shaqiri > eriksen & arnie
    b. salah & daniels > eriksen & vertongen
    c. salah & wilson > eriksen & ayew
    d. something else...

    cheers!

    1. mabz1303
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      If you have 2 FT then I would take -4 hit and get Eriksen, Arnie and Vertongen (Spurs got Watford for GW38, expecting clean sheet).

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

    Worth -4 for Barnes to Ayew.

    Otherwise have to play Morgan

    1. Flying Finns
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Ayew would need to score atleast 2 goals to recoup -4, I’m not sure he will so would play Morgan

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

        How do you work that one out?

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      -4. Leicester are beached.

    3. Flying Finns
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      First goal only covers your -4 hit, so need second goal in order to score proper points.

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

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

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

      1FT, 0.2 banked and open to hit(s). Sitting at 44k.

      Where on earth does one start??

      1. Gashead9
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Kaku > Jesus to begin with

        1. Gashead9
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Morgan + Willian possibly out too

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

            agree on these players. its literally who is the more of a priority to bring in ahead of gameweek 37...

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kane to jesus. Vardy to Auba

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

        and go without Kane?

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Yes. If i dodnt have him i would look elsewhere.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Similar team, thinking of Kaku>Jesus & Mo > KDB, gets Mo back for free 38.

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

        been stromgle considering dropping Mo myself just to mix it up. Seems like -4 for him out, maybe -4 back in again is a lot tho as he could easily score v Chelsea!!

  25. Flying Finns
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Lingard to Pogba for -4, too sideways?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Nope. Pogs in good form.

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

      (-4) could probably be used better elsewhere. Lukaku injured and lingard links up well with rashford

  26. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think about this lot?

    https://i.imgur.com/xlTc4oJ.png

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

      pretty much as good as it gets iMO

  27. Origi-nal
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    For a -4

    A) Morgan > Vertonghen
    B) Auba > Kane
    C Hold

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

  28. RashFraud
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    TC

    A. Kane
    B. Jesus

  29. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Who is the best pick for the last 2 gws?
    A)Arnie
    B)Pogba
    C)Ramsey

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

      A or B
      Prob A

      1. Old Wulfrunian
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        thanks

  30. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any body know what is going on with Jones?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No one knows what’s Going on there