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. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Who gets TC?
    Kane
    Sterling
    Jesus

    Lead ML by 115, but chasing in H2H

    1. DaveZubie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone Kane

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Harry

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

      Sterling

    4. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus or Kane. Sterling wont play both.

      1. Bleach †
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Not a fact.

    5. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks, all!!

  2. DaveZubie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Last decision before GW closed:

    1) Play Barnes (v Ars)
    2) Play Dunk (ManU/ManC)
    3) Barnes -> Ayew (-4)

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

      3 then 1

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      3.

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

      3

    4. DaveZubie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Just noticed I could also do

      Dunk -> Naughton (-4)

  3. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more points this week?
    A. Barnes (+4)
    B. Mawson

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        What about chilwell (+4) v Mawson?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Then Mawson

  4. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed

    DDG
    Davies Morgan Duffy
    Pogba Son Sterling (c) KDB
    Rashford Auba Jesus

    Karius RLC Ward Lowton

    GTG?
    Or Morgan / Duffy out for Naughton -4..?

    I have TC chip. Thinking of saving for Salah 38? Y/N?

    Thanks for the help

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      G2G! TC Jesus

  5. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    BB for this week.

    De Gea, Ryan
    Lowton Mustafi Morgan Dummet Cedric
    Willian Son Sterling Sane Kenedy
    Auba Austin Kane

    Will do an extra transfer. it's all for hits.

    A. Lowton to Vert
    B. Lowton to Mawson + Willian to Silva
    C. Lowton to Mawson

    C might mean I can Salah with no hits next GW.

  6. DAVISAM
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    3 Options

    A) Mawson in for Mariappa
    B) Pogba in for Willian
    C) Mawson in for Mariappa and Ramsey for Willian (-4)

    Current:

    DDG
    Chilwell - Davies - Mariappa
    Sterling - Salah - Willian - Arnoutovic
    Kane(c) - Jesus - Vardy

  7. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    On -4, Willian > Rambo for one more hit or G2G? Cheers 🙂

    DDG
    Alonso • Smalling • Mustafi
    Eriksen • Sterling • Willian • Arnautovic
    Kane[TC] • Jesus • Austin
    (Ryan / Kenedy / Morgan / Lowton)

    1. sunzip14
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg

  8. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Sane or Dilva TC?

    1. Cookie Kid
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No

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

    Son Willian Vardy to Tadic Arnie Jesus -12?

    Yah or nah?

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

      No

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

    A- Salah + GROB
    B- Etiksen + Ayew but -4
    Which is better ?

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

    D. Silva to play both games this week?

    Y or N

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

      My guess is No

    2. elwardio
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      50:50

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

        Trained today and two home games.

  12. sunzip14
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Christensen+Gross>Mawson+Arnautovic (-8) {not possible to get Arnie without -8} Yes or No? Or just start Gross/Young? without hits?

  13. Jaok
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian + Gross + Christensen -> Davies + Rasmey + Tadic, worth -8?

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

      I wouldn't take a hit for Gross to Tadic

  14. WhySoSerious?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Don't have TC, so should I captain someone else then Kane? I'm around 1,5k, many saying to TC Kane around that rank to be safe.
    But without TC, does that logic apply really? I am anyway kind of wishing that Kane doesn't get huge haul. So should just go with either Sterling or Jesus?

    Thanks!

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling or Jesus. Hide behind sofa.

  15. Sid07
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Whom to get for chilwell
    Have vert and christ

  16. Clintymints
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Here's a query

    I'm neck with two rivals - one who has no spurs but sane Jesus and kdb. the other rival has no city but Kane and Eriksen.

    I have Kane, Son, Jesus and Sterling. Got TC Jesus or Kane. 5 points separating the three of us so who the F do I go for!

    Also have a ft for a punt in for Willian. Arnie in?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Arnie yes! Harry for me

      1. Clintymints
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Even with Smalling and Dave d G

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

    Willian > Rambo -8?

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

      2 hits to just play Ramsey over Willian?

      No

  18. 1314
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    best 4.4 defender (already have Burnley player) ? VDH ?

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

      Look towards Swansea VDH

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

    Chasing Top 2 and behind by 35 in ML, captain Kane or Jesus?

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

      jesus

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

    Pick one from each

    1) Mawson
    2) Davies

    A) Pogba
    B) Sane
    C) Silva

    1. 1314
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      2C

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

      1 & A

  21. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Think I'm going to tc Jesus........hold me

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

    Vardy to Jesus for -8? Have to make 2 moves to get it done ...

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

      Kinda hard without knowing your team boi

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

        Lloris
        Kompany-Smalling-Bavies
        Salah-Sterling-Arnie-Mili
        Kane-Vardy-Rashford

        Nacho-Hoijberg-Mee

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

    Sterling or Eriksen

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

      Sterling

  24. Scotty B
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Shaqiri or Walcott?

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

      No BB?

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

      Shaq then.

  25. James231
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy > Jesus for -4 worth it?
    Already have sterling

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

      For 4, yes

  26. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    a) vdh or fernandez
    b) ramsey or arnie or tadic
    c) azpi or alonso

  27. Neymar
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Lingard -> Arnautovic -4 stupid?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah could sting

  28. Pigsinblankets
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hi chaps, good to go?

    Ddg
    Vert Mustafi Morgan
    Lingard Son Mahrez Willian Sterling (TC)
    Kane Jesus

    Ryan Tomkins Barnes Lowton

    Tadic in for one of my mids for a -4 worth it?
    Anything else?

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

      For Willian maybe and only if -4 is the total hits.

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

        Over Lingard? I could get either Arnie or tadic in for him.

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

    Anyone fancy Sane TCaptain?

    1. nbutler1981
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I have Sane, but I wouldn't as not certain he will play both games this week.

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

      Too much risk with rotation at City.

  30. nbutler1981
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Keep Lascelles or swap for someone else (would cost points)... Cresswell maybe? or no point in swapping.

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

      Naa keep.