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. UnitedFan51
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Help me with my DGW team
    Lloris, DeGea
    Yedlin, Chilwell, Bednarek, Naughton, Dummet*
    Sterling, Eriksen, Alli*, Sanchez*, Willian*
    Jesus, Perez, Welbeck*

    Dummet - got subbed last GW, Willian - played only 9', Sanchez - may not have travelled, Welbeck & Alli - I dont have Kane

    A. Alli, Willian, Sanchez, Welbeck to Tadic, Arnie, Pogba, Kane (-12)
    B. Dummet, Alli, Sanchez, Welbeck to Chambers, Tadic, Pogba, Kane
    C. No hits No kane

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

    GW37 only:

    A) Salah
    B) Willian

    1. UnitedFan51
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Willian played 9mins last week so Salah. Neither if possible.

  3. dimitros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is VDH nailed on?

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

      If they keep 3 at the back, he should be.

  4. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best mahrez replacement? 9.2m to spend, was thinking pogba

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

      Might be Mahrez himself.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He's on the beach already

      2. RomeluAndJuliet
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling or Alli

  5. Maarrrr17
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Play Andy King or Barnes??

  6. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Valencia to...

    A) Smalling
    B) Ben Davies
    C) Vertonghen

    1. Zlat-man
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Why sell V?

      1. L S P
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        didn't travel to brighton

    2. BAMBAA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Free or hit?

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Hit. Not having a player rested first game of the DGW

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

          Still keeping but vert from these.

          1. JabbaWookiee
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            What's the logic behind keeping? He may well be rested for two of the final three

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

              Have vert already and no options that are 100% nailed that I want.

              1. JabbaWookiee
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                Logical!

  7. L S P
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Locked and Loaded with my BB:

    Ederson
    Smalling/Cedric/Yedlin
    Sterling/Ozil/Pogba/Zaha
    Jesus(C)/Ayew/Perez

    Fab-Baines-Salah-VVD

    Good luck all!

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

    This TC decision will decide many mini leagues.

    Wowzer.

    What a big call.

    1. SAINTS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely the case for me. Currently on Sterling.

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Likewise. I had a dream last night that sterling got a red card v HUD. 😮

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

    This is becoming so stressful...
    TC Kane or Jesus? Or maybe even Sterling? Please help lads

    1. Euro Raiders
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane is the safest bet.

    2. jbenny1107
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane IMO

  10. BON
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else going without Jesus or just me?

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

      81.9%

    2. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I am without. ML rival that I'm trying to catch has him. Same with Sterling. And Pogba!

      Hate chasing. Not used to it

  11. Zlat-man
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    A. Willian > Pogba for -4?
    B. Willian > Ramsey for -4
    C. None

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I prefer Pogba tbh but a lot on here are vouching for Ramsey. I'm just concerned about his minutes.

  12. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A) Pogba + Otamendi + 4
    B) Silva/Sane + Smalling

    1. L S P
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba.

      Ramsey's a total wiB

      1. L S P
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        oops. fail.

        B to your question.

  13. SAINTS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Big decision everyone. Any help would be really appreciated.

    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Play Chilwell or Morgan?

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

      Chillwell injured out of squad

      1. SAINTS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Decision made then!

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Chilwell IMO

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Nvm, didn't know he was injured

  14. skriniar
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Todays Utd squad news ???

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Was in Manchester Evening News I believe. Sanchez didn't travel, Bailly did.

    2. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No Sanchez, Valencia and Jones according to Manchester evening news

      Don’t think this is correct

    3. duffnasty
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Isn't that Alexis in the picture with Bailly? Head is turned but I'm fairly certain that's him.

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

    Make sure you take an extra hit this GW!

    End of the season, its a bit of fun, what could go wrong... 😛

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      hits in DGWs don't count, remember?!

      1. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        could well do this week with so many looking like only getting the one start.

  16. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Just outside top 10k.
    1. Vardy Gross to Jesus Fernandes -8
    2. Salah Barnes to Jesus Young -8
    3. Willian to Arnie -4
    4. Keep and no hits this week

    DDG
    Vert/Smalling/Morgan
    Salah/Sterling/Son/Willian/Gross
    Kane(TC)/Vardy

    Ryan/Barnes/Lowton/Tark

  17. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What's the consensus on here for keeping or selling Salah? Say whether you're keeping or you've sold, and if so who to and if its for a hit.

    I've kept him but I'm teetering towards Eriksen for a - 4

    1. L S P
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping

  18. Lignja
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian to Arnautovic worth hit? Allready on -4

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yes. IMHO I don't think Willian plays.

  19. MartialMatas
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Worth taking Bailly out for a hit for anyone up to 6.9m?

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

      Yup, Alonso/Azpi/Vert/Davies/Smalling

  20. Boom Xhaka-Laca
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    1. a) Sane
    B) Pog
    C) Dilva
    2. Willian to Zaha -4? Yes or No

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

      1A
      2 No

  21. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with Salah?

    A) Hold
    B) Sell for de Bruyne (buy back for free next game week)
    C) Sell for Hazard (buy back for free next game week)
    D) Sell for Sane (buy back for free next game week)

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

      D

  22. GE
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    1) Barnes -> Ayew (-4), bench Morgan
    2) Just play Morgan

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

    Perez to ayew - 4 ?

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

      Yup

  24. Kno
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    So my draft team is kinda stacked in the best kind of way. Who would you bench between these four boys? Thinking smalling or kompany atm

    Kompany, azpi, davies and smalling.

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

    Did Pep say he was gonna start that kid up front in a game or is it just fear-mongering?

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

      Source or zip it

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I thought he was just doing that thing where he pretends City are bringing through kids rather than buying players so that the media are placated.

  26. Queens of the South Age
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is my logic sound?

    I have both Arnie and Ramsey. They are playing Leicester. Worth a hit to replace Morgan given that I'm hoping he's getting no clean sheets anyway?

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Get rid

  27. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    No hit taken with this team. Good to go or would a -4 be worth investing somewhere to improve?

    Zaha obvious one to take out for a double week player but he is in form and has good fixtures.

    DDG
    Mustafi Kompany Smalling
    Salah Son Sterling Zaha
    Kane (TC) Jesus JAyew

    Ryan Morgan Gudmundsson Lowton

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

    Rivals own Smalling and Jesus and I'm chasing. Worth going Otamendi Giroud instead of that?

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

    Bottomed. 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.

    Currently have Alonso Willian Vardy Barnes

  30. anish10
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian worth taking out for -8?

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

      For -4 yes