Scout Picks
4 May 2018 2330 comments
J0E J0E
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Double Gameweek players unsurprisingly take up all 14 of our Scout Picks berths as we now reveal the players to make the cut from Wednesday’s Scout Squad article.

The first of three Manchester United assets to earn selection is David De Gea (5.9), Fantasy Premier League’s (FPL) top scoring keeper (163 points) is also leading the race for the Golden Glove with 17 clean sheets.

He wins a place ahead of two favourable away trips, to face a Brighton attack that has just four goals in their last six. Meanwhile, midweek hosts West Ham have recorded just four big chances in their last four home matches, only Huddersfield Town have produced fewer.

On paper, Spurs also have two kind match-ups, away to bottom side West Brom and at home to Newcastle. This has driven us to triple up on their assets, beginning with centre-back Jan Vertonghen (6.0), who looks poised to start both Gameweek outings.

Top-ranked in the Bonus Points System among the Spurs backline, the Belgian could offer bonus returns should clean sheets drop in. Vertonghen also struck a post in Monday’s 2-0 victory over Watford as he stepped up his bid to claim a first league goal since 2014/15.

Cesar Azpilicueata (6.9) has replaced Marcos Alonso as our Chelsea defender of choice for home matches with Liverpool and Huddersfield.

Over their last four run-outs, Azpiliceuta has proved the more productive, with a goal and two sets of maximum bonus returns. The Spaniard is the overall BPS leader and, like Vertonghen for Spurs, he looks the most assured of two starts over the Gameweek.

Swansea City offer cut-price options with strong fixtures; a trip to Bournemouth and visit from Southampton make them ideal choices to help free up vital funds.

Alfie Mawson (5.1) is one of two Swans to earn a spot – two goals and an assist hints that he may even be able to offer attacking returns to compliment potential shutouts.

Our four-man backline is completed by Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi (5.5), who has largely escaped rotation during the Gunners’ ultimately doomed Europa League campaign. The German has only failed to start once since Gameweek 20 and his three goals, assist and ten bonus points also serve up multiple routes to points.

Christian Eriksen’s consistency helps to justify his 9.6 price tag as the most expensive Spurs midfield option.

An assist against Watford on Monday was his fifth attacking return in six Gameweeks and, while both Son Heung-min and Dele Alli have been rested in recent matches, Eriksen remains a mainstay after chaining together 13 successive starts.

Marko Arnautovic (7.0) is another reliable performer. With ten goals and five assists from his last 16 Gameweek starts, the Austrian is West Ham’s driving force as they bid to finally seal mid-table safety. Since being handed a striker’s role back in Gameweek 16, only Mohamed Salah has fired more shots on target among FPL midfielders (33 vs 25).

Cover of the Manchester City attack looks essential ahead of home matches with Huddersfield and Brighton. Both of those defences are lacking confidence, with the Seagulls claiming just a single clean sheet from their last 13 outings. Meanwhile, Huddersfield Town last earned a shutout away from home back in Gameweek 6, having conceded at least once in their last 12 road trips.

Among City midfielders, Raheem Sterling (9.1) looks irresistible – he’s been directly involved in 35 goals over the season. He has three successive double-figure scores and is second only to Salah for shots (12 to 17) and penalty box efforts (10 to 11) in that spell.

Gabriel Jesus’ (10.4) four goals and three assists over the last five starts makes him another vital option. With Sergio Aguero still injured, the Brazilian’s seemingly assured starting role also helps justify his selection. Ahead of tonight’s deadline, Jesus is the most popular transfer target, with over 200,000 managers swooping to acquire his services.

Harry Kane (13.1) may not be at his best, but a goal against Watford (from four shots) gives us hope that the Spurs striker can continue to deliver returns against West Brom and Newcastle.

Kane is currently top of our Captain Poll and has attracted more than 127,000 new owners this week.

The final place in or 84 million budgeted XI goes to Swansea striker Jordan Ayew (5.3), who looks primed to be more than just a makeweight, having scored seven goals from 14 Gameweek starts.

He faces a pair of suspect defences; Southampton have matched West Ham’s record tally of 13 goals conceded over their last six run-outs, with Saturday’s opponent Bournemouth placed just behind, shipping 12 in the same period.

Saints’ Cedric Soares (4.7) may struggle to earn us clean sheets against the Swans and Everton, but he claims one of our three bench spots thanks to a potential for attacking points. Handed the attacking freedom of a wing-back role, he created both goals at Arsenal in Gameweek 33, a feat that also earned him two bonus points.

Paul Pogba (7.9) just misses out on a berth in our XI, but still looks an enticing prospect for Manchester United’s visits to Brighton and West Ham. The Frenchman has claimed three goals and an assist, along with six bonus points, over his last four starts.

With Pogba’s team-mate Romelu Lukaku expected to miss out on both these ties through injury, we have handed our final bench spot to Marcus Rashford (7.3), who is likely to deputise for the Belgian up front. With six goals and five assists across just 15 starts, he has a strong record of making the most of limited pitch time.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 33 is Red Arrows who has opted for a 3-5-2 line up of: Lloris; Mawson, Vertonghen, Laporte; Alli, Arnautovic, Hazard, Sane, Tadic; Jesus, Aubameyang.

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. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best choice to play with Jesus in a transfer bundle?

    A. Alonso Kenedy (-4). Barnes on 1st bench.
    B. Mawson Willian (-4). Barnes on 1st bench.
    C. Mawson Arnie (-8). Barnes on 1st bench.
    D. Alonso J.Ayew (-8). Mili on 1st bench.

  2. hurrrrr
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Whats the deal with Bednarek?

    4.1 starting Southampton defender looks very tempting.

    1. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      This DGW's Long

  3. Delhidynamo
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Nice to see no may the 4th be with you jokes here

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      What’s that then?

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Star wars pun

      2. Delhidynamo
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        the date

  4. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    This is my current defenders am worried about them .... Which 3 should I start with??

    Davies/ Smalling/ Morgan/ Dunk/ Lowton

    1. frankiefernandez
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Davies, Smalling, Morgan imho

  5. jm2126
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Why has everyone stopped mentioning Ramsey?

    1. Sylas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey!

  6. arndff_
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    (-8) Morgan, Mahrez to:
    A) Vert, Arnie
    B) Mawson, Pogba
    C) Naughton, Dilva
    D) Other (13.1M total)

    Full XI:
    DDG (Nordfelt)
    Alonso Cedric Morgan (Lowton Long)
    Salah Sterling Mahrez Son (Kenedy)
    Kane(TC) Jesus J Ayew

    0FT, Nothing ITB

    1. subhojit123
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. subhojit123
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry.. A

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky between a and b.Depends on ur gut.

  7. frankiefernandez
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender for this week, max budget 4.3. Barrel-scraping ahoy...

    A. Masuaku
    B. Bednarek
    C. Lejeune
    D. Dummett
    E. Someone else
    F. Don't bother

    It'd be a -4 for Chilwell. On BB, so would like a full 15 who are actually playing!

  8. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Play Vvd or transfer out lowton > smalling or any defender at max 6m for a hit ?

  9. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Anybody else think that the 'flow' of man city could be disrupted by the fringe players getting games?

  10. Lazydayz
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all.

    I really need to catch the leader in one of my mini leagues.

    My current team is
    DDG, (Ryan)
    Chilwell, Mustafi, Otamendi, (Long, Mbemba)
    Sterling [TC], Salah, Lingard, Kenedy, Willian
    Jesus, Kane, (Barnes)

    2FT, £1.2 ITB, Bench Boost & TC
    Should I do
    a) Salah, Lingard, Willian, Barnes > Hazard, Pogba, Tadic, Crouch. -8?
    b) Willian, Barnes > Tadic, J Ayew?
    c) Something else?

    Thanks

  11. yer old da
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Dunk/Morgan to Cedric for a 4 point hit?

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No

  12. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Repost

    Chasing 24 points, he will put (C) on Kane but i got TC. Do I put TC on Kane or Jesus?

    1. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      ask him

  13. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Jesus or Sterling TC?
    Currently on Sterling.

    Not capping Kane

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Same dilemma, I'll probably go for sterling as worse case scenario he can get an assist or two

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah

  14. Hardly Athletic
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    1FT and 0.0ITB. I'm playing my bench boost chip this week.

    Fabianski - McCarthy
    Vertonghen - Smalling - Cedric - Chilwell - Dummett
    Salah - Eriksen - Sterling - Arnautovic - King
    Kane - Jesus (c) - JAyew

    Save transfer??

  15. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Baily to Mustafi FT

    Morgan to Mawson -4 worth it

    Mahrez to Sane for another -4 worth it?

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

      Yep
      No

      1. HD7
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        soo only first transfer?

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

          Bailly and Morgan ones do it. Wont ship mahrez out for anyone other than Sterling

          1. HD7
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks 🙂

  16. Superballzzz
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Take out Gundogan for lingard for a -4??

  17. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian to Alli worth a hit?

    Leading by 15 points, I suspect he has replaced willian for a hit

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Puts you 19 ahead then 🙂

    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I would say so.

    3. SomeoneKnows
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      If you are leading then whoever you bring in for that hit should at least be someone that he also has in his squad... That way you can block his points and reduce his chances of catching up

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        LAME

      2. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I have no way of knowing who he has got in.

        1. SomeoneKnows
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Doesn't have to be who he got in this week, could be any other strong player which he will not likely take out.

          Does he have Alli in his team? if yes then definitely go Alli

    4. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Keep your lead, 19 us good.

  18. SomeoneKnows
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is either worth a hit?

    A) Barnes > Ayew (-4)
    B) Lowton > Naughton (-4)

  19. BEEZUS
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best sub 5m defenders?

    Got VDH atm.

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'd see a doctor about that

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        My doctor gave me a prescription to get VDH!

  20. JasonG123
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Which pair?
    (A) Eriksen and Maguire
    (B) Silva and Alonso

    1. frankiefernandez
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A, but could go either way

  21. Marlen R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I'm using benchboost and am thinking about a -4 hit for Salah to Pogba for 1 week only. I can bring him right back for next week.

    Crazy? Yes or no?

    Ederson (Fabianski)
    Smalling Vert Mustafi (Yedlin Fernandez)
    Erkisen Sterling Zaha Salah (Kenedy)
    Kane Jesus J.Ayew

  22. Legohair
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Worth to -8???

    Salah&Murray->KDB&Ayew

  23. Rushford
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Have Mahrez, Son and Willian. Which one should I take out for a hit?

    a) Mahrez -> Sane/Silva
    b) Willian -> Ramsey
    c) Son -> Pogba

    or a combination?

    1. SomeoneKnows
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Was in exactly the same boat, ended up doing:
      Mahrez > Silva & Son > Eriksen

  24. Rik Waller
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Morgan likely to play both? What's the news?

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Simpson injured. Albrighton suspended. So if Dragovic plays at RB, then Morgan is nailed on to play both games!

      1. Rik Waller
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Nice one cheers

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah but who knows. What about huth? Cant see Morgan getting more than 4 points

  25. Aaaatsu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:
    Christensen, Chilwell or Lowton ?

  26. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Which DGW Midfielders to have beside these?? Got 11.6 mil...for these spots....

    Son/ Sterling/ Salah/ ???/ ???

  27. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    who would you rather for the remainder of the season:

    A - Salah +8
    or
    B - Jesus

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Salah.

  28. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    How’s she looking?

    DDG
    Smalling Naughton Yoshida
    Hazard Sterling Arnie Eriksen Kenedy
    Kane Jesus

    Hart Barnes* Dummett

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      And VDH

      B.B. active

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Niceee

  29. Caleb's Kitties
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Start morgan or duffy?

    1. frankiefernandez
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Morgan

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    anyone getting rid of son and willian? Not nailed and annoying if benched

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      o/

    2. frankiefernandez
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      For free, could do. I wouldn't take a hit to replace them though (so they're still in my team)