[sbu_large_image] Podcast
8 August 2018 3764 comments
J0E J0E
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The start of the new season is just days away and the Scoutcast crew are still full of doubts about their 15-man Fantasy Premier League squads.

Andy, Az, David and Mark join me to mull over our likely strategies for the start of the 2018/19 campaign as well as reveal our current line-ups.

Across our 82-minute chat, a consensus emerges on backing Manchester City and Liverpool premium assets. But that could all change depending on tomorrow’s transfer deadline day deals and surprise team news.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth look set to supply our teams with a supporting cast of bargain enablers due to favourable fixtures. Well, for now at least.

But the groupthink soon breaks down when we discuss forward options, with Mark looking exclusively for value up top, while the rest of us are more keen to splash our cash.

The hive-mind soon returns at the end as we reveal our top choice for the Gameweek 1 armband, so to help those daring to shun a certain Egyptian we also offer up a host of alternative captaincy options.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday evening. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link on the first player below, or take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

Also, this week we are publishing a series of videos looking in detail at each of the Scoutcast regulars’ current Gameweek 1 line-ups.

Rate My FPL Team #1 – Bargain Hunting at Crystal Palace

Rate My FPL Team #2 – Maximum Man City and Liverpool

Rate My FPL Team #3 – Daring to be Salah-less

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.

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Goalkeepers | Defenders: Budget | Defenders: Mid-Price and Premium | Midfielders: Budget | Midfielders: Mid-Price | Midfielders: Premium | Forwards: Budget | Forwards: Mid-Price |Forwards: 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 | Southampton | Tottenham Hotspur | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

Read them all in one place

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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.

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J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

  1. Reckoner.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Alisson
    Robertson | Mendy | Tomkins
    Salah | Richarlison | Jota | Townsend
    Aguero | Aubameyang | Arnautovic

    Hamer | Hughes | Wan-Bissaka | Peltier

    Hughes rotating in GW dependent:

    Midfield:

    GW1: Salah (WHU), Richarlison (wol), Jota (EVE), Townsend (ful) - Bench: Hughes (BRI)
    GW2: Salah (cpl), Richarlison (SOU), Jota (lei), Hughes (bur) - Bench: Townsend (LIV)
    GW3: Salah (BRI), Richarlison (bou), Townsend (wat), Hughes (CPL) - Bench: Jota (MCI)
    GW4: Salah (lei), Richarlison (HUD), Jota (whu), Townsend (SOU) - Bench: Hughes (TOT)
    GW5: Salah (tot), Richarlison (WHU), Jota (BUR), Townsend (hud) - Bench: Hughes (MUN)
    GW6: Salah (SOU), Richarlison (ars), Townsend (NEW), Hughes (ful) - Bench: Jota (mun)

    1. Typo
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      This is Beautiful, only real consern is Townsend

      1. Reckoner.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, that's the one spot I've been changing me team around trying to fix.

        Think I've come to the conclusion that I have to settle with 1 player I'm 50/50 on to get the rest of the team.

        If he carries on his pre-season form there's nothing to worry about.

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Couple of tough ones:

    A: Bilva Sanchez Arnie
    B: Mahrez Jota Firmino

    1) Mendy PVA Shaw Peltier AWB
    2) Mendy Robbo Daniels Peltier AWB
    3) Mendy PVA Daniel Cedric AWB

    X) Robbo + Jota
    Y) Shaw + Bilva

    1. ponsio22
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B
      1
      X

    2. Lukaku91
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B
      I have 2. thinking daniels to tomkins tho
      X

    3. hogree
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A2x

    4. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B
      2
      X

  3. RIDZ
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone can explain me why there are many teams without Arnie?

    1. JJO
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Fixtures?
      POO?

    2. Prison Mike
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Looked at his fixtures, I wouldn’t fancy want a premium striker with those fixtures. Prefer King & Zaha.

      1. WesMantooth
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Your name and grav makes me happy everytime i see your posts

    3. ponsio22
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha

    4. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      People are free to pick who they like?

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

      Can anyone explain why you don’t have a grav?

      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Freedom of choice? 😉

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He has 2 lovely fixtures GW2 & GW4, and away to Liverpool/arsenal are not guaranteed 2 pointers for a forward. Could see him nick a goal or assist at anfield. Can’t go wrong for 7.0m, especially in the Salah dominated FPL landscape in which we all now play

    7. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Don't have him to start with coz of GW1. Will get him later

  4. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    S Cook or A Smith?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Cookie boy

    2. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Smith

  5. pls
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hey lads which is the better option?

    A: TAA, shaw
    B: Robbo, (wan-bisska and bednarek rotation)

    1. Goat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Cofinho
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

  6. Typo
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    A. Jota, Rich, Walker

    B: Bilva, Jota, PVA/Luiz/Coleman

    Have Mendy and Aguero

  7. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Feel like my team is completely template apart froma few cheeky punts. ☺
    Going Deeney over King, Trent over Robertson and Rudiger at the back.
    Feels nice to have some players different.

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      always end up bad as those who you got rid for that punts do good

  8. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Pick one please?

    a. Hughes

    b. Fraser

    Cheers

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Cofinho
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Gut is going with Fraser but already have King?

      Thanks lad

  9. Deece
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone considering going with all 3 Liverpool attackers?

    Thinking that 90% of serious players will have 2x Liverpool attack so the only way to get some advantage over that is to go all 3?

    I can’t split Firmino and Mane so why not both ?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Good call lad

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I thought about that, made a draft in morning with 3, team started looking dirty and weak, back to previous draft now.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I tried it out too but got spooked by Fat Shaq and the Studge stealing game time from Bobby and Mane.

        1. Deece
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          My thinking is that you’ll still get spooked if you just went for one of them. This way you are covered if / when one gets rested. I can’t see Klopp resting both at same time ever.

          I’m also tempted as I’m worried about making the wrong decision between the two and having both puts your mind at ease.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I’m 60/40 towards doing it at the minute. I have three starting slots left to nail down, 1 def, 1 mid, 1 fwd & 24.0m to spend. Can have max 1 Liverpool (Salah/Mané locked) and max 1 City (Mendy/Bilva locked)

      I keep coming back to VVD instead of Firmino though, but May yet just get Bobby & go with their 3 forwards.

  10. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Got A atm but worried that Mane will share time with Shaq so I leaning towards B now, thoughts ?

    A) Zaha/Arnie and Mane

    or

    B) Firmino and Jota

  11. bordalo1
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Whos the best 4.5 defender?

    Got Daniels but i have doubts, dont know of hes nailed.

    Any sugestion??

    1. hogree
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Majority have Tomkins. Boly Cedric also good options.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Tomkins

  12. hogree
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Nervous about back line. How would you improve this? (Front 8 settled) Covering Watford defence sounds wise, that's why I've gone Foster, is a Wolves defender a better shout than a Southampton one?

    Foster - Hamer
    VVD - Mendy - Cedric - AWB - Peltier

    1. Lukaku91
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      cedric to tomkins maybe

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I'd upgrade Peltier by finding 0.5 from somewhere.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes - go Boly from Wolves for sure mate!

  13. Ninja Škrtel
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    0.5 in the bank...any suggestions?

    De Gea 6.0
    Clyne 5.0, PVA 5.5, Daniels 4.5
    Eriksen 9.5, Salah 13.0, Sane 9.5, Sessengon 6.5
    Firmino 9.5, Zaha 7.0 , Tuson 7.0

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      you know that but clyne big risk same as sane but rest of punts are ok
      nice to see something diferent

    2. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Please post these in the RMT Community Article 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/06/rmt-collection-niemi/

  14. Fantasynørden
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    My defence is:

    Robbo - Mendy - Tomkins

    Which 4.5 defender should i have to rotete with Tomkins? Thinking about Boly, is he nailed on?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, he is.

    2. Demel
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Robbo & Tomkins to TAA & Luiz (or Maguire if he signs for United).

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Start with Shaw at 5.0 and have the cash to upgrade to Maguire or other when settled in 2-3 weeks

    3. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kabasele rotates pretty well.

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Boly is your man

  15. AThousandSuns
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone interested. Ready to make this upcoming 9 months fun for y'all! 254608-747039

  16. Lukaku91
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    guys help
    rmt pls - any suggestions appreciated

    foster
    mendy robertson daniels
    mane sanchez richarlison lucas-moura bernardo-silva
    aguero firmino

    bench: fabianski kamara wan-bissaka peltier

    0.5 itb

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Please post these in the RMT Community Article 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/06/rmt-collection-niemi/

  17. child of God
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    So with everyone eager for a good start how many points would we be okay with? And how many above the average score?

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Top 100k would be nice. I did bottle a 5k start last year though, so doest really matter! 😮

  18. Gee_mm
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Something tricky for me

    Townsend or Richardson?

    1. Lukaku91
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      richarlison

  19. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which combo?

    A) Luiz & Mane & Zaha

    B) Tomkins & Jota & Auba

  20. Jebiga
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Adam Smith another 4 mil defender who will start the season ?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No. He's 4.5

    2. barracuda
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      4,5

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      4.5

    4. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Blaaah, I meant Simpson 🙂

  21. sam1406
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    RMT please, any feedback greatly appreciated:

    Patricio
    Mendy - Luiz - Robertson
    Sanchez - Mane - Pedro - Neves
    Aguero - Arnautovic - Aubameyang

    Bench: Foster - Wan Bisakka - Peltier - Cairney

    Thanks!

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Please post this in the RMT article 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/06/rmt-collection-niemi/

  22. Lebowski85
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    There is no way I can squeeze Aubamayang in without tearing my team up....and that spells disaster. How about this though..

    Eriksen & Arnie
    To
    Bilva & Lacazette

    1. Lukaku91
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      looks better

      what about bilva & firmino

      1. Lebowski85
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I've got triple liverpool already. I just feel like I need Arsenal cover up top.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Can see arsenal having more than a goal, maybe two, on the board after GW1 & GW2 so no panic on Auba just yet.

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Laca not nailed unfortunately

      1. Lebowski85
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        That simplifies thing....thanks, my toffee bredren

  23. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Why isn’t Schlupp the go to 4.5 def?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      unnailed

  24. Jebiga
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think, is KDB better option than Sane or Mahrez ?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Of course he is, but he hasn't played any pre-season.

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        This.

  25. Moyseehh
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hey guys, please help me out. Been switching between Mitrovic and King for the last week.

    Which one to pick and why?

    Thanks!

    1. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      King because of the fixtures

    2. Lebowski85
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      How solid is your bench? Mitrovic is a red card waiting to happen. He looks in form, so makes more sense

      1. Moyseehh
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I feel like their fixtures are pretty even and Mitrovic did look quite solid in the world cup.
        My bench is not the greatest: Hamer - Stephans - Schlupp - Peltier.

    3. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I’m going both to start. Might be suicide but well soon find out!

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Neither!

      2. Moyseehh
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Lol, good luck!

    4. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      K

    5. Moyseehh
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Thank you all for the feedback, much appreciated

  26. Fantasynørden
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Im standing between two teams and i really need your help. Your opinions will decide which team i’ll go for.

    A)
    Foster

    Mendy - Robertson - Luiz

    Richarlison - Salah - Jota - Mané

    Arnautovic - Aguero - Zaha

    (Fabianski - Ward - Tomkins - Wan-Bisakka)

    or
    B)
    Fabianski

    Mendy - Boly - Tomkins - Robbo

    Richarlison - Jota - Salah - Mané

    Aguero - Aubameyang

    (Hamer - Ward - Wan-Bisakka - Kamara)

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Please post these in the RMT Community Article 🙂

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/06/rmt-collection-niemi/

  27. Yankee Toffee
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Who do we think is the most nailed 4.5 def?

    So far I've had Jags, Tomkins and Kabasele in my team and I can't seem to settle on one. I like Tomkins but already have WB and don't want to double.

    Help appreciated.

    1. Lukaku91
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      do the double. worth it if both play

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I'm hesitant

    2. hogree
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just moved to a Wolves lad - Boly is a popular shout

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers, I think Wolves will be good going forward but will concede. Same reason I moved off Jags

  28. cheeky moses
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    A) Bednarek (rotate with Pelt and AWB), Eriksen and King

    B) PVA, Bilva, Arnie

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

  29. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which keeper, have Mendy:

    a) Kepa
    b) Ederson

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C) DDG

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B unless you want 3 City outfielders.

    3. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Would be tempted by Kepa - 5.5 (probably) for Chelsea set-and-forget defensive cover.

  30. Fantasy Gold
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    @ Mods

    When is the pre-season tab being replaced by Team News?

    1. Dacra
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Late enough to put everyone in a last minute panic 😉

    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I would suggest some time very soon, it's nearly updated.

      Click on members to get to it easily

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        where in members is it located?

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          When you click on members, at the top, along the header bar (Can't think of the word!)

          Please post these in the RMT Community Article 🙂

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news should also be the link iirc

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Ha ha right there lol

    3. Snikii
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Why would you want Team news, if they dont have all the information.

    4. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Later today or tomorrow morning

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks Geoff