Scout Picks
29 March 2019 8860 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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Fantasy Premier League managers should be filling their squads with as many players with two fixtures as possible in Double Gameweek 32.

That’s the strategy that has guided our approach to the Scout Picks XI for this weekend.

After deliberating over the Scout Squad submissions from Paul, Joe, Az and Peter earlier in the week, we have produced what we believe to be the best possible XI for Double Gameweek 32.

This time around we are lining up in the 4-3-3 formation and are within £0.1m of the £83.5m budget.

Goalkeeper

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster (£4.6m) gets the nod for the Scout Picks for Double Gameweek 32. He was tipped by all four of our Scout Squad pundits ahead of a trip to Manchester United and a home match against basement boys Fulham. While the Hornets have conceded the third-worst number of shots in the box over the last four matches, Foster has been racking up the save points. Of the goalkeepers with two fixtures in Double Gameweek 32, only Sergio Rico has made more saves, while nobody has produced more stops from efforts outside the box as Foster.

Defenders

An injury to Serge Aurier has opened the door for Kieran Trippier (£6.0m) to play both of Spurs’ Double Gameweek 32 matches, at Liverpool and at home to Crystal Palace at the brand new Tottenham Hotspur stadium. No defender with two matches in this expanded round of action has created more chances in their last four matches as Trippier, who was included in all four Scout Squad submissions.

David Luiz (£5.9m) is our chosen representative from the Chelsea defence in Double Gameweek 32. There was more clamour for Cesar Azpilicueta from our Scout Squad, with three of our pundits selecting him as the best option, but we’ve gone with the Brazilian to save some money. Also, over the last six matches, Luiz has created the same number of chances as Azpilicueta but registered four times as many shots in the box. A Chelsea clean sheet is a decent possibility in Double Gameweek 32, hence the interest in their defence. Cardiff have the second lowest goal conversion rate over the last four matches while Brighton are joint-bottom of the league for big chances in that time.

As Manchester City come into Double Gameweek 32 with strong clean potential it makes sense for the third slot of any triple-up on their assets to include a defender, especially as the line-up is easier to call in that area of the team. Aymeric Laporte (£5.9m) was the only one mentioned by the Scout Squad, as the most nailed-on of Pep Guardiola’s centre-backs, so we’ve selected him for the Scout Picks. The defending champions are currently top of the league for fewest shots allowed in the box over the last four matches and are joint best for fewest big chances conceded. We’ve already covered Cardiff’s goal conversion rate, while Fulham are joint-bottom of the league for shots inside the box over the last four matches.

Jeffrey Schlupp (£4.5m) is the most exciting of the budget defenders this week, hence why he was backed by all four of our Scout Squad pundits. A home match against Huddersfield does represent a great chance for a clean sheet while second opponents Spurs have the lowest goal conversion in the league over the last four matches. The crucial advantage of Schlupp is the fact that he has been largely operating out-of-position in central midfield for Crystal Palace, and with Wilfried Zaha currently a doubt, he could even play on the left flank of an attacking front three against the Terriers – the stuff of FPL dreams.

Midfielders

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) is the standout midfield option for Double Gameweek 32, earning the top spot in each and every Scout Squad submission. Nobody in this position has managed more shots on target in the last four matches than Sterling, who faces a truly sensational pair of fixtures over the next few days. Up first is a trip to Fulham, who boast the worst defence in the league season having shipped 64 goals, before Cardiff come to the Emirates Stadium. Neil Warnock’s men sit in the bottom three for big chances allowed over the last four matches.

Eden Hazard (£10.9m) also gets to play against that poor Cardiff defence before hosting a Brighton side that typically does not travel well. The Belgian racked up a whopping 33 points across the two games against these opponents the last time he played them and, unlike some of the Manchester City options in this position, is pretty nailed on to play in both Double Gameweek 32 matches.

Paul Pogba (£8.9m) completes our three-man midfield after being picked as the third-best in this position by three Scout Squad pundits. He may have experienced a dip in form recently but as holding midfield options return to the side he should have a more free role against Watford and Wolves. As already mentioned, the Hornets have given up plenty of chances inside the box of late, and may not be at full strength if they are putting all their focus on the FA Cup semi-final next weekend. That might be the same with Manchester United’s second opponents of Double Gameweek 32 as Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo also has previous when it comes to rotating his side before Cup action.

Forwards

Having won the captain poll and been selected as the best forward option by all Scout Scout pundits, it was an inclusion for Sergio Aguero (£11.8m) in the Scout Picks this weekend. Only one striker has managed more shots on target in the last four matches as the Manchester City man who, like Sterling, faces two incredible fixtures. We actually think that Aguero is more likely to start both outings than his colleague considering his extensive usage by Guardiola over the last eight Gameweeks, while Gabriel Jesus has been largely deployed more in the cup competitions. Furthermore, the Argentinian had the international break to rest while his Brazilian colleague played in both friendlies for his country.

Tipped by three of our four Scout Squad pundits, Raúl Jiménez (£6.8m) looks he could be the best of the budget forwards in Double Gameweek 32. Yes, there is some concern over Wolves rotation in the lead-up to the FA Cup semi-final but the last time Nuno tweaked things for the quarter-finals he largely made changes to the midfield and defence. The Portuguese manager does not really have any recognised strikers outside of his starting pair Jiménez and Jota. The Mexican international is fourth among forwards with two fixtures in Double Gameweek 32 for shots in the box over the last four matches, a run which includes Wolves’ ultra-defensive performance against Chelsea in Gameweek 30. Against Burnley and Manchester United, Jiménez should have more opportunities and with that should come more attacking returns.

Michy Batshuayi (£6.5m) was also tipped by three of our Scout Squad pundits ahead of matches against Huddersfield and Spurs. The Terriers are in the bottom three for shots allowed in the box over the last six away matches, while Tottenham rank inside the bottom four for big chances conceded in the last four matches. Batshuayi himself has had the same number of accurate efforts as Jiménez over his last four outings but has two more total goal attempts than him.

Substitutes

Ashley Young (£5.7m) will have to make do with a place on the bench after he could not fit into the side for budgetary reasons. Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho, the right-back has averaged a key pass every 52 minutes, the same as Pogba. With Watford and Wolves potentially not at full strength because of the upcoming FA Cup semi-final, clean sheets are not out of the question either.

Gerard Deulofeu (£5.7m) certainly looks like he will deliver attacking points in one of his Double Gameweek matches as he has attacking returns in three of his last four outings. Of midfielders with two fixtures over the next few days, only Sterling and Riyad Mahrez have more shots on target – but we suspect that Deulofeu will fall foul of some rotation ahead of that FA Cup semi-final.

We would have loved to include Marcus Rashford (£7.6m) in the final XI of the Scout Picks with Manchester United’s fixtures looking strong. However, with yellow flags on the Red Devils’ players largely unclarified this week amid news about Solskjaer taking on the manager’s job full-time, there is too much risk surrounding the England international – so we’ve put him on the bench instead.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Double Gameweek 32 is Hotdogs for Tea. They have opted for a bold 5-3-2 formation of: Ederson; Lindelof, Azpilicueta, Tomkins, Luiz, Kolasinac; Sterling, Pogba, Pedro; Kane, Aguero.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

fclackless‘s winning margin of 33 points (77-44) in Gameweek 10 is still the current target to beat.

  1. St. Joseph
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is it okay to play camarasa and rely on his lucky PK?
    allowing my team to have almost all big hitters
    Ederson, Sterling, Pogba, Hazard, Kane, Kun

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      it’s the price to pay to have kane in ur team so g4it

    2. FPLAdmiral
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I have a team below without Camarasa but all the big hitters. Prefer to have Schlupp in a 433

  2. Cojones of Destiny
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    which one lads
    a. kaku + jim
    b. hig + rash

    1. FPLAdmiral
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t like Lukaku or Higuain, sorry! Rash over Jimenez for me though

    2. barcaa7
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      b

  3. FPLAdmiral
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A or B chaps?

    (A) Ederson, Azpi, Jimenez
    (B) Foster, Laporte/Azpi, Rashford

    ___
    ___, Luiz, Lindelof, Schlupp
    Hazard, Sterling, Pogba
    Kane, Aguero, ___

    (Speroni)(Romeu, Simpson, Stephens)

    1. Ruinenlust
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Ruinenlust
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        How can you ever afford that team wtf

        1. FPLAdmiral
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Terrible bench and decent TV!

    2. Lionel Ronaldo
        7 years, 2 months ago

        (B) with Azpi

      • barcaa7
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        b

      • St. Joseph
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        i'd prefer A

        Ederson = the only 100% nailed on city defender
        Rashy not 100%
        Jimenez will at least get 120 mins from those 2 matches i believe.

    3. fridge
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hi all. Good to go on the below? 0 ITB!

      Kepa
      Azpi. Schlupp. Dunk
      Sterling. Pog. Haz. Dilva
      Kun. Rash. Bats

      X. Peltier. X. X

    4. Lionel Ronaldo
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Can this finally get me into Top 10K?
        ----------------------------------------------------------
        Ederson
        Azpi - Trippier - Smalling - Schlupp
        Sterling - Hazard - Pogba
        Aguero - Higuain - Rashford
        ----------------------------------------------------------
        Not super happy about Smalling/Rashford
        (would prefer Young/Batshuayi) but that's
        the best my funds can allow

        1. St. Joseph
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          maybe a little bit too template.
          as top 10 K will almost have a pretty much the same

          1. Jimi
            • 17 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Disagree. Latest stats show Free Hit is around 90k of ALL FPL players. I’d guess less than half the top 10k are free hitting this week. Pick the best team not differentials

            1. St. Joseph
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Top 10 k not free hitting but their ownership for those big hitters are way too high.

              Pretty much same team but maybe they are TC ing Kun / Sterling 😀

        2. FPLAdmiral
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Don’t get it? Y+Bat is the cheaper option?

      • barcaa7
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Help me with my FH team

        a-Son , laporte
        b-DSilva,Trippier

        1. Cojones of Destiny
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          b

        2. LLoris
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          B

      • Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        ML leader 10pts ahead played his FH last week and convinced he played his WC this week but was 105.5m and 0itb no transfers and now 105.4 and had Allison. Does this mean no WC?

        1. Amey
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Most probably.
          TV generally reduces after WC/FH imo

        2. Cojones of Destiny
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          yep

      • The Artist
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A. Guaita + Alli

        B. Ryan + Son

        Thanks!

        1. LLoris
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          B

        2. Hairy Potter
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          B

      • Slitherene
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Last decision to make..

        A) Luiz, Alli, Rashford, Kepa, Laporte
        B) Luiz, Alli, Jimenez, Ederson, Azpi
        C) Young, Trippier, Higuain, Ederson, Azpi

        Help needed, to decide!

        1. Positive vibes
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          C

      • olidooley
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Luiz or Rudiger?

      • Wakanda
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Is hazard really necessary ?

        1. olidooley
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Yes

        2. Amey
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I think so

        3. FPLAdmiral
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Yep!

        4. Hairy Potter
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          For me it came down to Hazard vs Kane, and went Hazard given the fixtures

      • olidooley
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Batshuayi or Jiménez?

        1. Ruinenlust
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Jimenez

        2. FPLAdmiral
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Bats but it’s VERRRY close

        3. Hairy Potter
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Jimenez

      • Hazardous1983
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Gtg??no fh or wc

        Guaita (fab)
        Awb doherty luiz (bednarek robbo)
        Sterling hazard madison.mane (hojberg)
        Jiminez augero wilson

      • soumyeah
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Bottomed & bench boosted. a possible 31 matches!
        good luck all

        1. MINUS FOUR
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          -16? Wow, you need your bench to do something just to break even. I suppose if you match Free Hit teams it will be a decent result.

          1. soumyeah
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            2 hits all season before this. no hits being my mantra this season. 5,316 rank. late night decisions... excited for the weekend though!

      • oi no professionals
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Money is no object, which Utd defender do you pick?
        A. Young
        B. Smalling
        C. Lindelof
        D. Shaw

        1. soumyeah
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          young

        2. yer old da
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Young too

        3. Hairy Potter
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Young

      • Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Button to Foster worth a - 4(and bench Allison).. Or just play Allison vs spurs without any hits.

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Could even do Barnes to Bats or Fraser to Mili?

          1. Mondeo
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            I don't hate Allison vs Spurs (especially at Anfield).

            I'd much rather Barnes to Bats or Faser to Mili - Bats out of those for me.

      • GAMBIT
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Okay guys, rip this one apart:

        Kepa
        Laporte, Smalling, Schlupp
        Sterling, Hazard, Pogba, Alli
        Aguero, Rashford, Bats

        3.9, CHO, 3.8,3.8

        1. olidooley
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Same as every team apart from Alli over Son

        2. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I like it - only issue with Bats is I'm not convinced his ceiling is that high (may pinch one vs. Hud but home form not good, unlikely to get anything vs Spurs)

      • yer old da
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Really can’t get away from the strategy of 3 City, 3 Chelsea, 3 Man Utd and 2 AN Other. Those 3 have THE stand-out fixtures and have to be maximised. So here’s what I’ve ended up with:

        City - Laporte, Sterling, Aguero
        Chelsea - Luiz, Hazard, Higuain
        United - Young, Pogba, Rashford
        AN Other - Ryan, Schlupp

        1. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Like it - have gone for Higuain as well.

          Not 100% sure United will keep a clean sheet (have swapped Trippier for Young) but otherwise very similar teams.

        2. MINUS FOUR
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I agree. I've got DDG, Azpi, Duffy, Silva, Martial to your Ryan, Luiz, Young, Laporte, Pogba.

          So just shows even on FH and similar thinking, our whole teams can be differentials. We all need a bit of luck, but there are some huge scores to be had this GW.

      • balint84
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A) play Fraser
        B) Deulofeu (-4)

        1. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Babel

      • JohnBlack
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Bats or Zaha?

        1. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Bats - I love Zaha but can't risk him getting only 20 minutes vs HUD

      • Mondeo
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Going fixtures over form I think (pens down for me):

        Kepa
        Trippier | Schlupp | Tomkins
        Sterling | Hazard | Pogba | DSilva
        Higuain | Aguero | Rashford

        Thoughts? Feelings? Emotions?

        1. GAMBIT
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Wouldn't double up on palace defense, would rather replace Tomkins with Dunk

          1. Mondeo
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            I hear you - there's risk reward for sure - but Saints at home vs HUD at home is a clear winner for me!

            (i.e. I am 100% confident that Saints will score 1+ in their current form)

            Cheers for the reply though!

      • Rik Waller
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Who's a Safe pic...

        Lindelof or Shaw

        Vote now...

        1. Rik Waller
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Safer*

        2. Positive vibes
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Lindelof

        3. Pieterke30
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          There is all this chat that Lindelof wasnt spotted at the hotel... Ive done Lindelof+Mili OUT for Smalling+Townsend

      • Hairy Potter
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Rashford or Martial?

        1. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Rashford (close one though)

        2. korbendallas82
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Rash if injury free.

      • Ruinenlust
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Ederson or David Silva?

        Luiz or Higuain?

        Money no issue

        1. korbendallas82
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Higuain, ederson.

          1. Mondeo
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            DSilva + Higuain.

        2. JohnBlack
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Dilva & Luiz

      • korbendallas82
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        What is the situation on Rashford? Marked yellow.

        1. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Unknown.

          Spotted at team hotel in squad that travelled but no official word.

        2. Amey
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          He's fine imo.
          Posted a video yesterday i think. I have him in my team.

        3. balint84
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          im sure he will play

      • S3
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Rash or Bats?

        1. Ruinenlust
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Jimenez

        2. E25
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          currently on bats but have a bad feeling not putting rash in

      • The Red Devil
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Pick a combo
        A- Shaw/Luiz/Dunk/Townsend/Kane/Quaner
        B- Smalling/Azpili/Conolly/Son/Rashford/Jimenez

      • Kabayan
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        A. Kane + Dunk + Ederson (4-3-3)
        Or
        B. Rashford + D.Silva + Kepa (3-4-3)

        1. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          B 100%

        2. Pieterke30
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          A for me

      • EL tridente
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Who to start?
        A) Arnautovic
        B) Redmond
        C) Van Dijk

      • S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Is Dilva better option than Son? And is he better option than Ederson/ Laporte?

        1. Mondeo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I think so. And yes I also think so for part 2 of that question.

        2. Hairy Potter
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I prefer Dilva to Son, but I decided to go Ederson as my 3rd Man City player