Feature
26 July 2018 1554 comments
Paul Paul
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We are delighted to announce Fantasy Football book ‘Wasting Your Wildcard‘ has now been released.

Written by regular site contributor David Wardale and fully endorsed by Fantasy Football Scout, it should help you plug the painful gap between the end of the World Cup and start of the 2018/19 Premier League season, which is not far away now.

Subtitled ‘The Method and Madness of Fantasy Football’, the book is being published by Penguin’s respected sports imprint, Yellow Jersey Press, and is packed with hints and tips from some of the best Fantasy managers out there.

But it is as much about the people as the game, with stories of glory and despair, mini-league skulduggery and humiliating failure and the strange grip the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in particular has on managers from Australia to Zimbabwe and just about everywhere in between.

There are in-depth interviews with FPL champions and Fantasy-mad Saudi princes, a comprehensive look at the eternal conflict that is stats versus ‘the eye test’ and chapters on the history of the game, the all-conquering beast that is Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and what the future of Fantasy Football might look like.

There’s also a revealing section on our very own Mark Sutherns, detailing the methods behind his successful approach to playing FPL.

Written by a fan for the fans, we think Wasting Your Wildcard will inform and entertain in equal measure, while grappling with the reasons behind why we, as supposedly grown-up men and women, cannot resist playing a game of footballing dress-up.

Order ‘Wasting Your Wildcard’ with Waterstones HERE.

Australian fans can order through Booktopia.

Read more with Scout

Visit our PRE-SEASON PAGE to get the latest pointers from pre-season friendlies and read scout reports on new players by CLICKING HERE.

Pick your FPL team for 2018/19 using our list of best available players, sorted for your convenience by position and price:

Goalkeepers | Defenders: Budget | Defenders: Mid-Price and Premium | Midfielders: Budget | Midfielders: Mid-Price | Midfielders: Premium

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

Arsenal | Bournemouth | Brighton & Hove Albion | Burnley | Cardiff City | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Huddersfield Town | Leicester City | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester United | Newcastle United

Read them all in one place

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50. This will increase to the regular price of £15 after the first Gameweek of the season.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
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CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Sounds like Martial will leave. Where do you think he will end up?

    1. Mackans
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Spurs

    3. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Where's the rumours of a Martial-Willian swap? Would suit all parties.

    4. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      The hospital.

  2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone taking Lacazette punt?

    1. Viiksisika
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm thinking about it.

      1. moz_1983
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Sounds like Auba will be on the wing and Laca as central forward, but it's still hard to look past Auba given his stats.

    2. Farke in hell
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I am. Hope he plays centrally.

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        I am as well

    3. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I am

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all

    Which do you prefer and what changes would you make?

    A)
    Ederson
    Bailly, Robbo, Ward, Tomkins
    Salah (C), Sané, Richarlison
    Firmino*, Auba, Arnie
    (Speroni) (Gunnarsson, Stephens*, Malone)

    B)
    Ederson
    Bailly, Robbo, Ward
    Salah (C), Sané, Mkhi*, Richarlison
    Zaha*, Auba, Arnie
    (Speroni) (Tomkins, Gunnarsson, Malone)

    C)
    Ederson
    Bailly, Robbo, Ward
    Salah (C), Sané, Mkhi*, Richarlison
    Zaha*, Aguero*, Arnie
    (Speroni) (Tomkins, Gunnarsson, Malone)

    Appreciate some advice!
    Cheers

    1. ceerus
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Totally realise this is a tl;dr type post so to break it down:

      A) Auba, Firmino, (Stephens)
      B) Auba, Zaha, Mkhi
      C) Aguero, Zaha, Mkhi

      Ederson, Speroni
      Bailly, Robbo, Ward, Tomkins, Malone
      Salah, Sané, Richarlison, XXXX, Gunnarsson
      XXXX, XXXX, Arnie

      1. ianb808
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Deffo C

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

        I'd go for C as it's almost identical to mine with a few small changes:

        Foster
        Coleman / Shaw / Robbo
        Salah / Richarlison / Mkhi / Mahrez
        Zaha / Arnie / Aguero

        Patricio / Ward / Cairney / W-B

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Nice cheers mate

  4. United84
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    What do you think??

    A. Eriksen & Sane or
    B. Sanchez & D Silva

    1. Hasselbaink Forever
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Eze Really?
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      a by a mile; that is weeks 1 to 3

      1. Eze Really?
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        if you can accept the on;y viable week 1 to 3 player is Sane

    3. JJeyy
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      a

    4. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      B

  5. Mackans
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Someone who knows a site that is ranking all players in fpl draft?

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Spoonfeeding.net

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    SKY SOURCES: Newcastle agree deal with Mainz to sign striker Yoshinori Muto for £9.5m

    https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1022406081476210689

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ashley splashing the cash.

    2. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Mitrovic R.I.P.

      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        time for him to come home 😎

    3. Fassy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      He is class.

      Never understood why he went to Mainz instead of Chelsea. Both clubs had a deal with Tokyo but he felt he wasn't ready yet for Chelsea. Quote: "The Premier League is a great league but I'm not ready to play for Chelsea yet. I don't want to hurry myself and want to develop steadily."

      1. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Good to hear

      2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Really? Record for Mainz isn't that good, and couldn't get into Japan's WC starting XI?

  7. JJeyy
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone getting Moura after last night?

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      What did he do?

      1. GAMBIT
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Scored a brace I think

        1. A.T
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Its still too much up in the air at this point for me.

      2. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Scored a brace against Roma. So did Llorente

    2. Farke in hell
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      For a 7m price its better to go for Arnie, even though they play different positions.

    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      He and Llorente both in my team right now

  8. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Martial -> Lamela as the Mhki/Ramsay placeholder now?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      reasonable
      or mata

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Mata playing up top OOP... Just means Utd will score less...

  9. GAMBIT
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    What do you guys think of this?
    352/343

    Ederson
    Robertson, Shaw, Cedric
    Salah, Sane, Mkhi, Rich, Cairney
    Aguero, Firmino

    Stek, Sorloth, Tomkins, 4.0

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Shaw nailed for 2 GWs max. Rich as in Matt Ritchie?

      1. GAMBIT
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Richarlison.

        Some other 5.0 defender will emerge by then and if not I can play both Tomkins and Cedric

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Overall looks good though. I like the balance. Figured you mean Richarlison

    3. Guba
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good to me with the possible exception on Mkhi but who knows on him yet.

  10. le flem
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Pope nailed for Burnley?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      No, 50/50 Pope or Heaton at the mo.

      1. le flem
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Darn.

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

      TEAM NEWS: Sean Dyche confirms that Tom Heaton has not travelled with the team after suffering a calf strain. Ashley Barney, Robbie Brady and Steven Defour will also play no part tonight. @EuropaLeague

  11. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Johansen for FUL anyone? Wondering if he might be a better 5.5 than Mooy. His stats are decent, 20 goals in 80 caps.

    1. le flem
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      On free kicks and corners. Kind of like a Prowse kind of player. Don’t expect big hauls though.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

  12. tanser11
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on my first draft?

    Ederson / Speroni
    Robertson / Tomkins / Coleman / Daniels
    Salah / Sane / Mkhi / Walcott / Neves
    Aguero / Firmino / Kamara

    Cheers!

    1. GAMBIT
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Kamara no longer nailed. Neves is a DM.

      1. tanser11
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        DM?

  13. Farke in hell
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Seeing Sergio Aguero's record against Arsenal, I think he is a must have. Have very little alternatives in that price bracket.

    1. GAMBIT
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Aguero or Aubameyang

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

      I think this could be a big year for Aguero, fixtures after Arsenal are fantastic too

  14. piquiblanco
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I keep going back and forth!

    A. Ederson + Robertson
    B. Alisson + Mendy

    1. le flem
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer B.

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Same dilemma, but thinking it through ...

      B - Alisson will get more saves for Liverpool, Mendy will get more attacking returns for City

    4. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      A more nailed

    5. JJeyy
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      a

    6. WVA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      A

      1. daitheboot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        A

  15. le flem
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    How many games will Shaw start till he is dropped?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on how well he plays, imo.

      1. le flem
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Not necessarily- I think Jose just doesn’t rate him.

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      3 max.

    3. Slip it like Stevie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Mourinho hates shaw and the bad performances this preseason have confirmed that shaw has no future in manchester. I think young will be rushed back from holidays and Utd will sign a left back if they have any common sense.

    4. WVA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      1 probably, playing crap in pre season too

  16. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    FPL really hasn't coped well with inflation. We should be starting with £500m budget. Salah would be £65m, Aubameyang £55m, Mhki £35m. Much more reasonable 🙂

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      this is not Venezuela here

    2. Farke in hell
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Welbeck?

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Agree

  17. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    is danny ward the best 4.5 mid?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I think so.

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Atm for sure

  18. Fire Chief Moe
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Will Batshuayi be added to the game?

  19. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    No 1 between the sticks at Chelsea with Courtois going?
    Caballero?
    Surely can't be Green

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      schmeichel

    2. RomeluStormzy
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Schmeichel

    3. DeathoftheParty
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Would be hilarious... Hope they stick him on at 4m and Sarri is like 'hes my favourite goalkeeper of all time... He'll start every game this year'

    4. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ah so Schmeichel is still on, good. Makes my decision for who will be my keeper for the season.

    5. WVA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Really hoping Schmeichel deal is still on!

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        I actually don't. It would force me to have him and Courtois didn't get many baps or save points.

  20. RomeluStormzy
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I've tried a salahless team...

    Alisson (4.0)
    Robertson Mendy Sakho Cedric (AWB)
    Mahrez Sane Richarlison Sanchez (4.5)
    Firmino Auba (4.5)

    Worth it?

    1. le flem
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Nope.

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      all salah less teams look fantastic.
      except for one small thing.

      1. RomeluStormzy
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Just gone Sanchez and Firmino to Salah and Arnie. Feel better now.

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      And your captaining plan is to permacap Auba?!? Good luck 😉

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Nothing wrong with perma cap Auba.

    4. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I dont think Sanchez is a worthwhile replacement for Salah. Salah-less team with Hazard and KDB after they come back from WC leave looks tasty though.

  21. nivz 32
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    grant should be added at 4.0!!!! 3rd choice gk!!!!!!!
    and any draft league code?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I run a cash h2h league. $20 CAD, 1st 60% 2nd 30% 3rd 10%

  22. James2201
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Please Rate my team and suggest any improvements if you see fit

    Players with a * next to them I am not sure about

    Fabianski
    Mendy TAA Shaw*
    Sanchez Mane Eriksen Cairney
    Tosun* Aguero Firminho

    Subs - Speroni Neves Wan-Bissaka Cederic

  23. JJeyy
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Best Option?

    A) Zaha + PVA + Mendy/Davies
    B) Firmino + Cedric + Tomkins

    1. Kizza_10
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Zaha/Coleman/Davies

  24. Strchld
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Is someone going to double up ManC or Lpool attack?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I've doubled up on both at the moment

    2. Lukakwho
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I got Sane and Aguero

    3. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Mane, Firmino (robbo)
      Mahrez, Kun (mendy)

      ALL IN

  25. Kizza_10
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Would you make any changes to this team ?

    Ederson
    Shaw Robertson Coleman Bellerin
    Sane Salah Silva Richarlison
    Arnie Aubameyang

    Subs: Stek, Cedric, Gunnarson, Madine

    1. golfboy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Decent. Bench is weak but aren't they all (well most!)

  26. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Good morning folks.
    Is having Sanchez worth downgrading Auba to Lacazette for you?

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

      No chance.

    2. Dre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm trying to find a balance to include Sanchez and Auba

  27. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Morning everyone.

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Afternoon to you horsie. Long time no see, but nice that u back 😉

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        After 1213 points last spring I consider myself no longer "casual rookie scnautzer" and changed my name.

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

          Haha, and rightly so.

  28. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    martial likely move kills my team 🙁
    must...find...cash...for sanchez....

  29. Dre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Where do you expect André Schürrle to line up and predicted price? Seems like his goals have dried up but he could be tempting

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      He's a has-been living off of a reputation from years ago. Avoid.

    2. RomeluStormzy
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      6.5

    3. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      On the right 6.5

  30. JaydenLFC87
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    How's the team looking below? Advice appreciated

    McCarthy
    Daniels VVD Kabasele
    Salah Lamela Milivojevic Mata Mane
    Aguero Aubameyang

    Kamara Malone Wan-Bissaka

    1. golfboy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Daniels might not start, same with Lamela but could be a good dif if he does. Better out there than Mata imo

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      It needs a lot of work. The defence is very poor as is most of the midfield.