Scout Squad

The Scout Squad for Gameweek 23

The Scout Squad panel return to offer their long-list of players to be considered for our regular Scout Picks feature on Friday.

The 72 nominations listed will be narrowed down to a squad of 14 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.5m) ahead of the Gameweek 23 deadline at 11:30 GMT on Saturday.

Joe, Peter, Paul and Az – who have five top 1,000 finishes between them – expand on their notable selections and omissions in the article below.

PaulJoeAzPeter
GKEdersonBen FosterDavid de GeaEderson
Rui PatricioMartin DubravkaBen FosterBen Foster
Ben FosterRui PatricioEdersonMartin Dubravka
DFAndrew RobertsonAndrew RobertsonAndrew RobertsonAndrew Robertson
Matt DohertyLuke ShawLucas DigneKieran Trippier
Jose HolebasLucas DigneMatt DohertyJose Holebas
Lucas DigneMatt DohertyLuke ShawLucas Digne
DeAndre YedlinJose HolebasKieran TrippierMatt Doherty
MFMohamed SalahMohamed SalahRaheem SterlingMohamed Salah
Paul PogbaLeroy SaneMohamed SalahLeroy Sane
Leroy SaneDele AlliPaul PogbaEden Hazard
Dele AlliPaul PogbaDele AlliPaul Pogba
Ademola LookmanEden HazardRyan FraserFelipe Anderson
FWMarcus RashfordMarcus RashfordMarcus RashfordMarcus Rashford
Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang
Roberto FirminoSergio AgueroRoberto Firmino
Gabriel JesusRaul JimenezRoberto FirminoTroy Deeney
Raul JimenezTroy DeeneyRaul JimenezRaul Jimenez
Troy DeeneySalomon RondonDominic
Calvert-Lewin
Salomon Rondon

Most popular picks: Ben Foster, Andrew Robertson, Lucas Digne, Matt Doherty, Mohamed Salah, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Raul Jimenez (four), Ederson, Jose Holebas, Leroy Sane, Dele Alli, Troy Deeney, Roberto Firmino (three)

Paul said…

The value offered in defence and up front could allow us to invest heavily in the Scout Picks midfield for Gameweek 23.

Away to Fulham, Dele Alli has the chance to establish himself as the go-to Spurs attacker in the absence of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

Owned by 3.1%, Alli has the makings of a major differential and has a trio of successive home matches to follow after his Craven Cottage encounter.

Along with the list of usual candidates, Ademola Lookman’s busy display in Everton’s clash with Bournemouth bodes well for another start at Southampton.

Owned by 0.1% and costing £5.1m, the winger grabbed an assist in Sunday’s win over the Cherries.

Lookman has averaged 40 minutes per key pass this season – the same as team-mate Gylfi Sigurdsson.

DeAndre Yedlin is my differential in defence.

The Newcastle right-back has created six chances over the last four Gameweeks, placing him third among defenders.

Granted, the Magpies have their injury concerns in defence but a visit from a Bluebirds side with six away goals to their name – fewer than any other side – could serve up a clean sheet for the hosts at St James’ Park.

Joe said…

Harry Kane’s injury deprives us of a great option as Spurs visit a Fulham side with a solitary clean sheet at home this season.

However, it also hands us the opportunity to divert a large chunk of our budget elsewhere and as a result, I’ll be advocating a power midfield five this time around.

As discussed on this week’s Scoutcast, Dele Alli has historically been the man to step up when Kane is absent and I’m wagering the same will happen this time around.

Mohamed Salah is a shoo-in as he prepares to host a Crystal Palace side that may be forced to field their third-choice goalkeeper due to injuries. He looks primed to add another double-digit points haul to the five he has already accrued since early December.

Leroy Sane, who has racked up 18 points across his last two run-outs, is my Manchester City midfielder of choice for their trip to manager-less and Championship-bound Huddersfield. His early substitution last time out bodes well for a start. I’d like to select Gabriel Jesus for this clash, with two braces in his last three starts, but he, sadly, comes with too much rotation threat.

Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba take my other two midfield places.

The Chelsea man may well have more space to attack against Arsenal than he has found against sides in the lower half of the table recently.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s talisman looks like being a regular Scout Picks fixture for the foreseeable future thanks to a remarkable turnaround in form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s guidance. Since the Norwegian took charge in Gameweek 18, the Frenchman has fired off more shots than any other midfielder, notching four goals and as many assists along the way.

A final mention goes to Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, who earns my endorsement as a Harry Kane replacement given his strong Anfield form. The Brazilian is second for goal attempts among all players over their last four home matches.

Az said…

Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injuries combined with Son Heung-min’s exit have really shaken things up across the FPL world. But as the dust settles, Fantasy managers who are moving on these players will be looking to take advantage of new options who emerge from the shadows.

There seem to be a great number of defenders with attacking potential for this week and beyond: I’ve gone for five full-backs who like to get forward but picking an order for them was surprisingly difficult. I am glad I hung on to Andrew Robertson, who continues to deliver for me and remains the only player I’ve had in since Gameweek 1. But he’s quite pricey now, and the fact that Lucas Digne, Matt Doherty and Luke Shaw are all available for around £5.0m (which, coincidentally, is in the region of Alexander-Arnold’s price) means an easy switch can be made.

In midfield, I was buoyed by Luke’s words on the Scoutcast about Huddersfield’s impressive work rate and defensive stats under Wagner. However, they are still bottom and with their beloved manager departing, I would be shocked if they were feeling any kind of “new manager bounce” and have the worst possible team to come up against.

Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne could all be in my team, but I’ve decided to back Sterling. If he starts, he will deliver – I have no doubts about that. Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah and Paul Pogba are both in great form, while Dele Alli has a chance to carry on his excellent run when Kane is out. He looks a superb differential at under 5% ownership.

Bournemouth will also be looking to bounce back after failing to score against Everton and Ryan Fraser is crucial to their chances of success against an unpredictable West Ham.

Up front, Marcus Rashford was perhaps the easiest selection I’ve ever made. The England forward has the form and the fixture and has completely made a mockery of my doubts about his shared game-time with Romelu Lukaku. His goal against Spurs was fantastic, and he looks both undroppable and unplayable at the moment.

My other selections were quite tough up front. I think Sergio Aguero will start over an in-form Gabriel Jesus, however, and will surely be in the goals against Huddersfield.

Roberto Firmino also looks a good shout for a double-up with Salah, despite flattering to deceive from an FPL perspective this season (bar his hat-trick against Arsenal). Raul Jimenez owners will be hoping he gets more minutes against Leicester than he did against City, meanwhile.

My left-field pick this week is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been doing a good job from the bench and has been showing Richarlison how to finish. I can see him starting up front with Richarlison going back to the left flank, where the Brazilian is perhaps more comfortable anyway.

Peter said…

With many an FPL team suffering the red and yellow flags of outrageous fortune, I arm myself with some home comforts from Anfield, Vicarage Road and Old Trafford and popular assets from Chelsea and Manchester City.

I’m stat-light at the best of times and my selections this week owe more to both the eye and the gut than significant number-crunching. The result is a power five midfield and budget attack which resembles many of the sides being posted on these message boards since news of Harry Kane’s enforced lay-off broke.

A defensive double-up at Anfield was tempting before Trent Alexander-Arnold also joined the injury list and some may still be tempted to shell out around £13m to ride the Reds’ defensive machine.

Instead, I’ve brought in Roberto Firmino alongside Andrew Robertson and the inevitable Mohamed Salah. The Brazilian often plays second fiddle to his Egyptian team-mate but only three other strikers have amassed more points this season, including Kane and Callum Wilson, who may also miss out this week.

Wolves were unable to continue their good form against the top sides after Willy Boly was sent off early at the Etihad. However, I’m expecting the Wolves to maul the inconsistent Foxes in Saturday’s early kick-off. Matt Doherty passes the eye test in virtually every game and Raul Jimenez joins a cheap and cheerful front line.

Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford are flourishing under new management at Old Trafford and will surely feature across the board in the Scout Squads. I’m not buying into Manchester United’s backline just yet, though, despite Brighton’s meagre attacking returns on the road. It certainly helps when you have one of the world’s best goalkeepers in between the sticks but the fact the Red Devils had to rely upon David de Gea so heavily last time out was a concern.

I finish my musings at the Vitality Stadium with an intriguing match-up between the Cherries and the Hammers. Both sides are fairly unpredictable at the moment: Bournemouth are in something of a slump but better at home than away, while West Ham are buoyed by their victory over Arsenal on Saturday. Last weekend, I wrongly predicted goals at both ends when Bournemouth visited Everton, but the hosts were a tad fortunate to escape with a clean sheet and I foresee both teams scoring again in Gameweek 23. I’ve pulled in Felipe Anderson but Bournemouth have some decent midfield options too, particularly if the budget requires a cheaper choice.

The Community Champion

The Community Champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2018/19 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Last weekend, FPL_SUNNY narrowly beat our Scout Picks 53-52 with a 3-4-3 line-up of Guaita (1); Luiz (8), Pereira (4), Alexander-Arnold (6); Richarlison (2), Salah (11), Sané (8), Son (2); Barnes (2), Aubameyang (2), Rashford (7).

fclackless’s Gameweek 10 victory over the Scout Squad crew by a score of 77-44 remains the deficit to beat.

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1,541 Comments Post a Comment
  1. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who will get the most points? Eriksen or Alli?

    1. tyron
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I would say alli

    2. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen overall for the season.

      But if you’re talking about while Kane’s away there is good chance Alli wins

    3. tyron
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      consider lamella? he is almost certain to start now

    4. Predator
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I back Alli

  2. Mr. Clueless
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    1) Robertson, Sterling, Firmino (-4)
    2) VVD, Sane, Auba

    Currently on Auba, Hazard, TAA*

    Or just replace TAA with Kolsaniac

    1. tyron
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      2 for sure.. can u replace taa with another Liverpool def without hitting

      1. Mr. Clueless
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yip have 2 transfers so transferring value from Hazard to VVD.

        Was 0.1 of from Robertson, Sane, Aub

    2. Champions11
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      2

  3. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I've the exact money to bring in Aguero and 0.1 short of affording Auba.

    Should I pull the trigger on Aguero?

    1. Spambo
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Or Jesus...

    2. RustyBz
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      not aguero no

    3. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It’s a risk but he could go nuts against a managerless Huddersfield he got a hat trick and an assist against them in the reverse. He could also play 20 mins and do nothing for a lot of your budget. No correct answer I chose against him so I’d say no but my rival got him and I’m scared about Sunday.

    4. Champions11
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think Aguero will start personally, considering the fact that Man City play burton again on Wednesday, which Jesus might start that instead.
      So it’s a good risk personally, and you will be kicking yourself if he’s start and goes insane. Just don’t captain him

  4. HenrikFPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi!

    GTG for this week?

    Which player(s) would you prioritize to transfer in/out the next couple of gameweeks? Got 3.6 ITB.

    Fabianski
    Robertson D. Luiz Digne
    Fraser Pogba (vc) Salah (c) Sane
    Jimenez Rashford Aubameyang

    Guaita Doherty AWB Højbjerg

    1. Bocaginge
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      David Luiz over Doherty is an interesting choice

      1. HenrikFPL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        True - Not too sure about that choice really. Might overestimate Luiz chances of attacking returns on set pieces vs a shaky Arsenal defence.

        Thank you for answering!

        1. Bocaginge
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Doherty has massive attacking returns this season and I’d fancy his chances at home to Leicester over David Luiz away to Arsenal. Jimenez tin Firmino maybe?

          1. HenrikFPL
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Your reasoning is sound - Doherty in, D. Luiz first on bench it is!

            Not too sure about doubling on Liverpool attack atm - think I am going to monitor this round to see if I should double in attack or defence.

            Thank you for your time and input, fine sir - have a good day!

  5. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Foster - (Guaita)
    Robbo - Holebas - Digne - Doherty - (AWB)
    Hazard - Pogba - Sane - Anderson - (Masuaku)
    Rashford - Jimmy - (Barnes)

    7.4 ITB 0FT

    Looking to see if there is anything pressing that needs changing for -4, i want to upgrade one of the mids to Salah, but i'm worries about lack of strength up top???

    1. shadeslayer
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Masukau - > Salah. Play 352 or 451

      1. bryant
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Don’t think he can afford that

  6. tyron
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    start one
    a- mitro(h) vs spurs

    b- bednarek (h) vs lei

    1. Chelseafan8
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B) definitely. Mitro has not done much in the last few weeks

  7. pedjaaaa
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Activated wildcard, am I G2G?

    Etheridge
    Robbo - Digne - David Luiz - Shaw
    Pogba - Sane - Salah - Richarlison
    Auba - Rashford

    ---------------------------
    Speroni - Success - Bennet - Puncheon

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. Bocaginge
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      David Luiz is up against Auba

    3. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      David Luiz > Doherty

  8. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who’s the player you’re most scared will do bits that you haven’t been able to get in your team this week?

    Aguero (if he plays obviously) or maaaybe Rashford for me.

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling.

    2. RossoneriHammer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      All Man City attackers!

  9. Hodg55
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth the move?

    Kane >> 5.4 forward to get Salah in?

    Currently...

    Fab (Pat)
    Robbo / Digne / Alonso / Doherty / Kola
    Haz / Richa / Sane / Pererya / Snoddy
    Jimmy / Rashford / Kane*

  10. benbro
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Keane, Bednarek or AWB?

  11. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any advise for this team going forward (not for this week)?

    Fabianski
    Digne Doherty Shaw (TAA AWB)
    Sterling Hazard Salah Pererya Pogba
    Jimenez Rashford (Kamara)

    3.9 ITB

    Considering: Ali (in for Pereya), Robertson (TAA), Lloris (Fabianski), Firmino (Jimenez - could downgrade TAA to Bednarak and Kamara to Firmino)

    Thoughts?

  12. Knowsnothingaboutnothing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Please advise me on who to Captain and whether Martial or Richarlison
    Mitrovic on bench

    Etheridge
    Holebas - Digne - Doherty
    Hazard - Sane - Pogba - Richarlison -Martial
    Auba - Rashford

    Fabianski - Mitrovic - Luiz - AWB

    I have 1FT and 0.8 in bank

    Thanks

    1. Bocaginge
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Keep your transfer, captain Sané and keep Mitrovic on the bench. If Richarlison pulls another blank then next week you’ve got 2 FT’s and you can transfer out Rich and Mitro for a couple better form players

      1. Knowsnothingaboutnothing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for confirming.....still unsure whether to bring in Salah this week for a hit but prob not worth it

  13. Nederlaget
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Foster (Guaita)
    Digne Robbo Pereira (AWB Bednarek)
    Hazard Pogba Salah(C) FAnderson Sane
    Rashford Mitro (Kamara)

    2FT, 1,6 ITB. What to do? Get rid of Mitro atleast?

    Cheers for help guys 🙂

  14. Vasshin
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So i have already used my FT and now Kane and TAA are injured. But i think TAA might just miss 1 game and be back after FA cup week, so probably holding him might be good idea.

    I need city attacking assests. Sane is probably the one in form but mendy’s arrival probably next week will make his position interesting. Also Jesus is scoring so Aguero isn’t nailed at all. The safest bet is sterling but he is little expensive.

    So what do i do?

    My team is

    Fabianski
    Robertson trippier bednarek
    Pogba salah Richarlison puncheon hazard
    Barnes Rashford

    Bench kane TAA wanbisaka

    So if i let puncheon to play, then next week probably transfer kane to Ings(if he plays this week) or llorente (if he plays this week) and transfer puncheon to Sterling

    Or if Aguero plays this week then probably transfer kane to aguero next week

    Or just transfer kane to auba with 4 point hit and think about next week’s transfer next week

    Or anything else

  15. Sanish_08
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alisson(Hamer)
    Robbo-Doherty-Pereira-AWB-Stankovic
    Hazard-Pogba-F.anderson-Deulofeu-Elneny
    Kane-Firmino-Jimmy

    1FT. 2.6mitb. Any Suggestions Guys??

  16. Blens
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Kane and Son for
    1) Mane and Aguero
    2) Alli and Rashford
    3) other?

    Help please guys...I'm inclined to go 1) as it feels more of a differential (I can't afford Salah though)

    1. Chelseafan8
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      2 as Aguero is not nailed on for a start. Jesus is running the show atm

  17. Identityinchrist
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    (A) Bednarek + lookman + long or

    (B) AWB + puncheon + long or

    (C)benarek + puncheon + Ings

    ???

  18. younglee
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Snodgrass 7.4 in bank > Lamela/Fraser/Maddison/Richarlison/Sigurdsson/Felipe? Or somebody else .... any suggestion?

  19. Brad Cowden
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Does Fantasy Football Scout show player point projections? And if so, where would I find it?

  20. idanish1981
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I have to say Manchester United are getting away with season ending tackles!
    Rashford on Rob Holding and now Young on Harry Kane. Not even a foul given???!!!

  21. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What are the chances of Bernado S starting? Or will KDB take his place?
    Cheers!

  22. Quatzl
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard or Doherty ?

  23. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Opinions about Youri Tielemans, anyone?

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Will help Vardy. Will probably help Maddison as well. Talented player and will provide quality from midfield that Leicester have lacked since losing Drinkwater.

      Not sure he'll be a great asset for FPL though.