The Scout Squad – Gameweek 38

The end is nigh, and for some managers who have endured an apocalyptically bad Gameweek 37, it can’t come soon enough.

But our ‘expert’ panel of Scouts, Mark, Paul and Jonty and Career Hall of Fame number one Peter Kouwenberg, are made of sterner stuff, so they’re primed and ready to see out the season in style.

To do so, they’ve mostly agreed on a number of key players, with Mohamed Salah back from his one-week Scout Picks holiday, Harry Kane looking to push the Egyptian to the final whistle in the race for the Golden Boot and Double Gameweek 37’s undoubted star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, also getting strong backing from our panel.

Beyond that, it’s likely to be rather less harmonious.

Between the sticks, David De Gea is fairly well backed but expensive, which could open the door to either Nick Pope or Lukasz Fabianski, while there are four different first-choice defenders vying for a spot in Sunday’s side.

Peter, in particular, has gone maverick this week, preferring Sadio Mane to Salah and Alexandre Lacazette to Aubameyang, but all agree that Raheem Sterling deserves a place after his midweek rest and the likes of Marko Arnautovic, Wilfried Zaha and Roberto Firmino are also heavily backed across the board.

We’ll be back to reveal those that make the final Scout Picks team of the season. Until then, bask in the magnificence of/scoff incredulously at the choices our quartet have called their own.

Paul Says…

Picking through the recent teamsheets as we look to pre-empt rotation will be key this weekend.

Virgil van Dijk has been immune to Jurgen Klopp’s tinkering during Liverpool’s run to the Champions League final and has started each of their last 12 league outings.

The Dutchman’s aerial ability could be a crucial weapon for the Merseysiders at Anfield – visitors Brighton have conceded more goals from set-pieces (20) and corners (14) than any other side.

With so many strong premium options on offer, Burnley wide man Johann Berg Gudmundsson (5.0) offers a handy budget enabler at home to Bournemouth.

Having played a part in 53% of their goals at Turf Moor, his delivery looks set to trouble a Cherries defence that are ranked joint-bottom with West Brom for headed attempts conceded (92).

Up front, I’d back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alongside Harry Kane.

With their weekend hosts Huddersfield now safe from the drop, Arsenal could hand Arsene Wenger the perfect leaving gift with a return to winning ways.

A goal or assist in eight of his last nine league outings highlights the winter signing’s prolific form ahead of his trip to the John Smith’s Stadium.

Peter Says…

Virtually double the matches last week harvested about half the regular points: C’est la vie.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be involved with the Scout Picks all season but, like the British summer and  my brief flirtation with Hall of Fame supremacy, all good things come to an end (and the clouds have certainly gathered this season).

This week, more than any other, is a time for a few maverick choices (never my strongest suit) as rotation, player swansongs and only a handful of genuinely meaningful fixtures should lead to unpredictable line-ups and results.

My defensive picks cost an average of well under 5.0 a player, but I’m adamant there will be clean sheets and attacking points aplenty from the likes of Swansea’s Alfie Mawson, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Burnley’s Kevin Long.

The final day is traditionally goal-filled, so I’m told, but I’m struggling to pick five on-form, injury-free strikers who still have something to play for.

My selection of Jordan Ayew stems solely from the fact the Swans need to overturn a hefty goal difference to have any chance of staying up, which I don’t think they will.

In truth, none of my other four strikers could be said to be in great form either, apart from Alexandre Lacazette, with the Frenchman unfortunately playing at Arsenal’s bogie ground (i.e. anywhere other than the Emirates).

There do appear to be a few more viable options in midfield this week, with Sadio Mane, Wilfried Zaha and Marko Arnautović bringing both decent form and fixtures to the table, although this does mean overlooking golden boy Mohamed Salah, who I’m sure will make the final squad in any event.

As always, it’s tricky to choose a Man City player, but I feel Raheem Sterling owes me one (or at least Pep does) after being left out of the City squad on Wednesday. He could come good against a Southampton side which probably needs to avoid a pounding in order to prolong their Premiership stay.

Eighteen picks, which probably means 14 starts given final-day alterations, but if they don’t bring in a three-figure haul I’ll buy everyone on this site a pint just as real as Harry Kane’s recent goal against Stoke.

Best of luck with your mini-leagues and roll on next season!

Jonty Says…

A popular theory is that the final Gameweek can be among the most unpredictable of the campaign.

But last season’s finale showed that may be a myth, particularly when the fixture list falls kindly for the bigger teams. At the end of the 2016/17 campaign, minnows were predictably crushed by Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Given all those sides once again have, on-paper, easy encounters, I’m banking on history repeating itself with my collection this time around.

A Liverpool triple-up looks key to me for their home tie against a-now-safe-from-relegation Brighton side, who they routed 5-1 in the reverse fixture. Salah, Roberto Firmino and Andrew Robertson all get the nod from me in a winnable clash that should guarantee a top-four berth.

Firmino scored 13 points in that previous Seagulls clash to strengthen his case for inclusion, while Salah has returned in all but one of his home matches since Boxing Day.

A pair of Spurs assets would please me. Kane’s goal against Newcastle this week gives me hope of returns, while Christian Eriksen’s consistency should also reward us.

After earning a rest against Brighton on Wednesday night, Sterling looks certain to start against a Southampton side that is seemingly safe from relegation.

A clean sheet for Manchester United looks strong at home to Watford, which sees Chris Smalling win my backing.

Aubameyang has already done enough in Gameweek 37, with a 23-point haul at home to Burnley, to justify his place for the Gunners trip to Huddersfield.

A final mention goes to two talismen from sides that have flirted with relegation this season, but are now guaranteed to play top-flight football in 2018/19.

With returns in five out of his last seven starts Crystal Palace’s star man Wilfried Zaha looks a reliable pick for West Brom’s visit. Similarly, for West Ham, Marko Arnautovic’s three goals and two assists since Gameweek 32 give plenty of hope for points when Everton drop by.

Mark Says…

After seeing Aubameyang emerge as the only player to score more than one goal over Double Gameweek 37, my confidence in banking on attackers is on the wane.

By my reckoning, when it comes to final-day differentials, defence is the area where it can really pay off. Aaron Cresswell, van Dijk and Patrick van Aanholt all have the goal threat and fixtures to present an opportunity for double-figures.

I’m still keeping faith in City pair Sterling and Jesus, though. Yes, the Brazilian burnt us against Huddersfield and Brighton, but I’m backing him to return with a goal or two at St Mary’s – he’s scored in each of their last three on the road.

For those in need of a final-day differential up front, Olivier Giroud could be the one to turn to.

Not only does the Chelsea target man have eight goals and two assists in nine against his hosts Newcastle, he has history with Gameweek 38. Giroud signed off the 2015/16 season with a hat-trick for Arsenal against Aston Villa.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 37 will be Choppers 13, who has only finished outside the top 10,000 once in his six season career. He also has two top 1,000 finishes under his belt, achieved last season and in 2012/13.

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).