The Scout Squad – FPL Gameweek 2

Following their excellent selections last week in which they garnered 81 points (that’s without a captain, of course), the Scout Squad return to offer their long-list of candidates to be considered for our regular Scout Picks selection on Friday.

The 72 nominations will be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding £83m) well ahead of the Gameweek 2 deadline at 11:30 BST on Saturday.

With five top 1,000 finishes between them and countless years of Fantasy football writing to their names, Scoutcast/site staples Paul, Joe and Az plus regular contributor Peter Kouwenberg are perfectly positioned to offer us their initial thoughts on the weekend’s matches.

The knowledgeable quartet expand on – and justify – their selections and omissions in the article below.

Six players are nominated across the board, each of whom has an appetising home fixture to come in Gameweek 2.

Paul has backed Eden Hazard and Kieran Trippier to return to their respective clubs’ starting XIs and deliver, while Joe has gone rogue with the new-look N’Golo Kante.

Az and Peter both champion the case of James Maddison while overlooking the highest-scoring player in FPL history.

Who would have thought we’d see the day that Joe Hart received as many Scout Squad nominations as Mohamed Salah?

Most Popular Picks: Jordan Pickford, Benjamin Mendy, Richarlison, Sergio Aguero, Jamie Vardy, Marko Arnautovic (four); Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Christian Eriksen (three).

Paul said…

On paper, Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane both have the fixtures to present a major challenge to Mohamed Salah for a place in our final XI.

If the Captain Poll is anything to go by, however, Kane will be cast aside for Fulham’s visit on Saturday.

Yet The Cottagers defence looked obliging against Palace last weekend – no side conceded more shots on target than their total of 10.

Kane’s team-mate Kieran Trippier also deserves consideration. After being handed last weekend off, he seems set to start and has a fine record at Wembley for Spurs.

In just 12 appearances, Trippier made more key passes (26) than any defender at home last season, supplying a scoring chance every 41 minutes.

Eden Hazard joins four of last weekend’s goalscoring midfielders in my selection.

He dazzled against Huddersfield, earning an assist off the bench, and is surely poised for a return to the teamsheet at home to Arsenal.

At 11% ownership, he’s remained relatively overlooked in the clamour to acquire the likes of Paul Pogba and Sadio Mane.

Hazard also has form against the Gunners, scoring in three of their last five league meetings at Stamford Bridge.

Joe said…

Defenders dominated proceedings in Gameweek 1, with nine of their ranks achieving double-digit returns. This means I’ll be backing the roll-out of at least four rearguard assets in our XI.

Benjamin Mendy tops my defenders’ list at home to Huddersfield due to his multiple routes to points, having notched two assists, fired off two shots and delivered maximum bonus returns against Arsenal last time out. With just a solitary shot on target against Chelsea at home last weekend from the Terriers, a clean sheet also looks likely for the part-man, part-shark.

Davinson Sanchez gets the nod as my Spurs defender of choice when they host Fulham, having earned an assist against Newcastle and surprisingly registering the highest number of goal attempts among his team-mates in that game. A home fixture with Fulham should see him earn a shut-out.

Among those with strong underlying statistics to impress in Gameweek 1 is Leicester defender Ricardo Pereira, who created two chances, fired off six crosses and won four tackles to boost his bonus potential when Wolverhampton Wanderers drop by the King Power Stadium this weekend.

Christian Eriksen is another of my picks who showed promise despite not delivering returns last time around. His owners should feel confident he can impress against the Cottagers given his five key passes was joint top for Gameweek 1.

My optimism for Leicester continues in attack, with Jamie Vardy taking second spot in my selection behind Sergio Aguero. The England forward’s goal in his 27-minute cameo against Manchester United indicated he can still torment defences even without the departed Riyad Mahrez. Wolves’ shipping of two goals against Everton at home suggests their backline could be in for a torrid time.

My midfield punt slot goes to Chelsea’s 5.0 priced N’Golo Kante, who as predicted earlier this month by 2014/15 FPL champion Simon March, has taken a more attacking role under Maurizio Sarri. Could the Frenchman’s goal against Huddersfield last time out be the shape of things to come? I’m willing to bet it is.

AZ said…

A couple of standout fixtures this week. I don’t think anyone would be too surprised to see Manchester City decimate poor Huddersfield, who do not look like they have strengthened much from last season. Benjamin Mendy and Sergio Aguero both look potential captaincy options this week, and I don’t think we can ignore Raheem Sterling if he remains a Pep favourite and carries on from last season where he was the second-highest points scorer in the game. Bernardo Silva did nothing to suggest he will lose his spot, so looks a secure option in the minefield of City’s midfield.

Spurs v Fulham also looks like a potential rout, but Harry Kane‘s poor performance against Newcastle, August hoodoo and new baby perhaps keeping him up at night means he only takes third on my forward list. I could regret that come Saturday, but I like the look of Aguero and Jamie Vardy more. Christian Eriksen, though, who created the most chances of any player in Gameweek 1, looks set to reward owners and his threat from set-pieces could spell trouble for Fulham as they try to recover from a pretty humiliating defeat in the opening week.

I’ll be interested to see how Wolves get on in their first away game in the premier league. I was impressed with Leicester for spells against Man United and I think James Maddison has a good chance of delivering on his promise. He monopolised set pieces and looked very attacking until he was taken off. Having Vardy back also enhances his prospects. Ricardo Pereira got an assist against United and looked threatening in spells, he’s one for the watchlist and I think he could deliver as Wolves look to adapt to Premier League life.

I find the Palace v Liverpool game hard to judge, so you will notice notable omissions of ‘Pool assets. I can’t see a thrashing being delivered here and think there’s greater potential amongst some of the other sides – with Sakho and Tomkins in defence, Palace are resolute in defence and may frustrate Liverpool.

There’s definitely potential in the West Ham v Bournemouth and the Everton v Southampton games for some comfortable home wins. West Ham have strengthened hugely so the pressure is on for their star-studded squad to perform. Marko Arnautovic didn’t look fit, though, so only gets fifth spot on my forwards’ list. I like the look of Ryan Fredericks at right-back, who may cause the Cherries some problems. Richarlison is an easy choice for Everton and seems fit to start after scoring two goals in Gameweek 1.

Peter said…