Scout Picks

Gameweek 36 Scout Picks – All eyes on Liverpool attack

The money is in midfield for the Gameweek 36 Scout Picks, with a big focus on Liverpool.

The Reds host Huddersfield at Anfield in what many expect to be a one-sided affair.

With the quick turnaround between Gameweeks in the last few days this week the Scout Picks were chosen by the Fantasy Football Scout editorial team without input from the Scout Squad.

We’ve gone for a 3-5-2 formation that comes in bang on our £83.5m budget.

Goalkeeper

Redemption for Mat Ryan (£4.4m) and his colleagues at the back came swiftly in Double Gameweek 35. They came close to earning two clean sheets at Wolves and Spurs with impressive defensive performances and were only breached by a late Christian Eriksen driver from range on Tuesday night. With Newcastle coming to the Amex Stadium there’s the potential for more defensive returns as the Magpies rank inside the bottom four for shots in the box and big chances in the last four away matches.

Defenders

It was a tough call picking a Liverpool defender, because the options all look so good, but we’ve gone Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) in the end. While Virgil van Dijk is probably the most nailed-on to start against Huddersfield, the Scottish international is not far behind. We think Trent Alexander-Arnold presents great attacking threat too, but Robertson has been the more reliable across the course of the season. Huddersfield remain the division’s lowest scorers and the Reds have more clean sheets at home than any other side this season.

As Manchester City bare down on successfully defending their Premier League title, their defence has once again become a key component. Pep Guardiola’s men have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 10 league matches, more than any other side in that time. As ever, Aymeric Laporte (£6.2m) is the most likely to start at centre-back for Manchester City as they travel to Burnley. In the last five matches, he has registered 35 points, more than any of his team-mates.

With Ben Davies (£5.6m) rested midweek, and Danny Rose likely to start at left-back against Ajax, it looks like the Welshman will get the nod to start in Gamweek 36. West Ham come to north London in the bottom five for both shots on target and big chances in the last four away matches. Furthermore, Spurs are yet to concede a goal in their new stadium.

Midfielders

Mohamed Salah (£13.2m) is the first of two Liverpool attackers to be included in the Scout Picks this week as Huddersfield Town come to Anfield. The Terriers have conceded 11 goals in their last four away matches and have allowed more shots than any other side in that selection too. Meanwhile, Salah is top of the league for shots on target over the last four matches and has attacking returns in three of them.

Sadio Mané (£10.1m) completes our Liverpool triple-up ahead of Huddersfield’s visit to Anfield. Obviously, we know that the Terriers will allow plenty of opportunities for the Senegalese international, as we’ve just read, but there are certain areas in which he looks even more likely to score than Salah. In the last four home matches, no player has a higher xG score than Mané who has is enjoying most often being on the end of Liverpool’s big chances.

Given that he is suspended for the first leg of Spurs’ Champions League semi-final with Ajax, Son Heung-min (£8.8m) is the most likely of his attacking colleagues to start against West Ham on Saturday. The Hammers have conceded more big chances than any other side in the last four away matches, which should play into the South Korean’s hands. He may have just two goal involvements in the last nine Gameweeks, but out of himself, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli, he has the most shots in the box over the last four matches despite playing the fewest minutes.

Since Kevin de Bruyne went off early with an injury in the first match of Double Gameweek 35, Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) has stepped up as the key midfielder for Manchester City. In the last two matches, he has created more chances than any of his colleagues and has double the number of shots and shots in the box of popular team-mate Raheem Sterling.

Nathan Redmond (£5.4m) may have disappointed his owners in Double Gameweek 35, but he should do much better back at home in Gameweek 36. The Southampton man is typically much more effective in front of his own fans, with only six players registering a better xG score than him in the last four home matches. Meanwhile, Bournemouth make the short trip to St Mary’s Stadium having conceded at least two goals in 10 of their last 12 away matches.

Forwards

Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) is still in great form going into Gameweek 36 with eight goals in as many league matches. This weekend sees him face an Arsenal side he has six goals in seven Premier League starts against so far in his career. The Gunners are hardly in decent form of late too, conceding three times both to Crystal Palace and Wolves in the last few days. Meanwhile, only one player has been afforded more big chances than Vardy in the entire of 2018/19.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.3m) may be a surprise inclusion for some, but there’s a good chance he could deliver against Cardiff City this weekend. Since they lost Sol Bamba to a season-ending injury in Gameweek 29, the Bluebirds have conceded more headers than any other side, which plays right into Mitrovic’s strengths. Furthermore, the Fulham striker is joint-level with Salah for the most number of shots on target in the last four matches.

Substitutes

Shane Duffy (£4.8m) continues to stay in the plans of Fantasy managers for Gameweek 36. We’ve already covered the defensive potential for Brighton this week against a potentially shot-shy Newcastle side but we still believe there’s some goal threat for the centre-back. Duffy has been a threat from set pieces this season, to which the Magpies have allowed 155 chances in 2018/19 – the second most in the league.

Ryan Babel (£5.5m) looks to have decent points potential in Gameweek 36, just like his colleague Mitrovic. He has three goals and two assists in his last seven matches, which could continue when Cardiff come to Craven Cottage desperately searching for the goals to keep themselves up.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.4m) completes our subs bench as he continues his run of decent form. The Everton striker has two goals in his last four away matches while Crystal Palace have conceded five times in their last two without James Tomkins.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 36 is our Eliteserien writer Johannes. He has opted for a 3-4-3 of Ederson; Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, van Dijk, Laporte, Walker; Son, Hazard, Moura, Babel; Mitrovic.

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.

It was a win for the Scout Picks over TopMarx in Double Gameweek 35 by a 80-65. fclackless‘s winning margin of 33 points (77-44) in Gameweek 10 is still the current target to beat.

1,232 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Firmi-no

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      any link Jarv?

      just on

  2. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gots Sit One
    A - Lacazette
    B - Fraser
    C - C Wilson

    Whoooooo knew Deulofeu would be my hottest player? Not me.

  3. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Laca/Tielmans > Origi/Hazard (-4) - Good moves?

    Ryan
    TAA - Kola - Valery
    Son - Hazard- Sterling - Salah TC
    Origi - Aguero - Jimenez

    Leno - JWP - Duffy - Bednarek

  4. JurgenRocks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Play Digne or Doherty?

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Having Flashbacks
      Last time this question was raised Digne scored a hattrick

  5. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    If you want an official account for Firmino news, here's some accounts to keep an eye on ahead of the deadline:

    @JamesPearceEcho
    @MelissaReddy_
    @_pauljoyce
    @NeilJonesGoal
    @LynchStandard

    Anybody else would be speculating. Good luck for the GW, see you guys tonight 🙂

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I don’t care what they say about you. You’re a good lad

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Ta. Don't own - but I hope he's fit and firing, would be a killer for those who went with him and more to the point we all want to see Pool full strength vs Barca.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers Berb 🙂

    4. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks mate.

  6. Nerdlinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which one to transfer out for Mane...

    A. Eriksen or
    B. Sane

    Cheers

    1. JurgenRocks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sane

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Eriksen

  7. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Uh, who plays up front if Firmino does not play?

    Previously it was Salah, but there was a very brief period this year where Mané was playing the CF role.
    (Likely as Origi can play on the Left Wing too.)

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Salah has previously lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 but it's been 4-3-3 in recent weeks, so I'd expect Origi to start. Really hope the Firmino news is rubbish though.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Think it diminishes Mane appeal if Firmino ends up out ?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Nope, don't think so, I'll still TC him.

  8. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Eriksen to mane for free sound good. Already have Salah and son

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It's the move I did last night, so I would be hypocritical if I said no to that!

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      For free yes

  9. Blame it on Traore
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who would you take out for TAA - Duffy or Jonny? Thanks a lot guys.

  10. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Really hope Eriksen punished sellers again this game week.

  11. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Im chasing by 100 points not gonna catch up now TC on Salah it is

  12. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Do I have my order right?
    Ryan
    TAA Doherty Robbo
    Mane (TC) Son Sterling Jota Eriksen
    Jimenez Aguero
    Gunn - Llorente - Valery - Cathcart
    0ft 0.5itb

    A bit wobbly about Eriksen now, but it's not worth a hit or a benching I assume?

  13. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Jimenez
    B) Wilson

  14. Richd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    FirmiPOO

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Do you have him Flap?

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        No

        Couldn’t afford else I would have

  15. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Lots of "with Firmino now out" comments.

    -- still unconfirmed--

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Untill a reliable correspondent reports it it’s all rumours. We had a similar situation earlier in the season with aguero v huddersfield

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I captained Aguero that week. That rumour was obv bad

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Happened with Mane a while back & Vardy more recently... both played & did well.

  16. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    JWP + Kun -> Siggy + Firmino?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Bobby out rumors flying around

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I know but he’s still tempting

  17. arkom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Play:

    A) Luiz (MUN A)

    or?

    B) Brooks (SOU A)

  18. deepmind
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Thinking about doing this:

    Out: Auba/KDB
    In; Benteke/Salah

    Current rank 5.8k

    Should I go for it?

  19. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Llorente a good option for the rest of the season?

  20. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hello everyone I know I'm getting in early but any help would be appreciated as I'm trailing by 40 points.

    Llloris (Speroni)
    Doherty Valery Robertson (Dunk) (Kelly)
    Eriksen Son De Bruyne Pogba (Oriol Romeu)
    Aguero Rashford Firmino

    2 trasnfer and 0.1 to spend.

    Im drawn to trying to find a way to get Salah in my team/any other suggestions. Thanks for reading 🙂

  21. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Willing to buy someone a Virtual Pint to sort me out of this mess.

    Here are my options.

    Keep Team - no transfers:

    a) Lloris, Ryan,

    TAA, Doherty, Valery, AWB, Duffy,
    MAne (C), Sterling, Eriksen, Son, (Hudson Odoi = injured)
    Jiminez, Laccazette, King

    Or, -8 for option B/C - 3 transfers:

    b)
    Lloris, Ryan,

    TAA, Doherty, Valery, AWB, Duffy,
    MAne (C), Sterling, Delefeou, Son, Redmond
    Jiminez, Aguero, King

    c)

    Lloris, Ryan,

    TAA, Doherty, Valery, AWB, Duffy,
    MAne (C), Sterling, Delefeou, Son, Moura/ B.Silva
    Jiminez, Lacazette, King

    Cheers Chaps!

    1. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I don’t think either of those would be worth a -8, I would stick

      1. jaywills
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Will Eriksen be benched? What about Eriksen to just Delefou (no hit)?

        Or, Eriksen to Delefou, Hudson Odoi to Player under (-4)

        Playing BB so no point having an injured player in Hudson Odoi

  22. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Poor Emilio Sala s dad died today. That's just tragic.

  23. CarelessGenius©
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Is there a better upcoming game to use my TC than Mane v Hudds?

    1. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Not likely

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Just use it man, don't overthink

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      some comment history 🙂 haha... you're other comment made me proper laugh

      I'd say this is as good as any tbh

  24. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Doing my head in this week!
    Current team, any help appreciated.

    Ryan-Foster
    Robbo-Laporte-Doherty-Duffy-Valery
    Mane-Son-Martial-Moura-Jota
    Kun-Vardy-Jim

    A) Martial to Sane/BSilva (TC Mane)

    B) Kun, Martial, Moura to Sterling, BSilva and Firmino (TC Mane -4)

    C) Martial and Moura to Salah, and Fodder (TC Salah)

    D) Martial and Moura to Sterling and 5.7MF (TC Salah)

    Cheers lads and good luck this week!

  25. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Klopp to troll us tonight Mane Salah Firmino Van Dijk benched till needed?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      you work away on that theory & see how it goes 😉

      1. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Lol got salah Mane and TAA myself just playing!

        Is playing Ryan and Duffy a bad move they done me in the first double game 2 points between them and past week I benched them for the haul

  26. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Given i'm going to play Ryan over Foster....Play 1 of:

    A) Duffy
    B) Kolasinac

    1. deepmind
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Duffy

    2. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm playing both alongside TAA debating Duffy to Valery though?

  27. Aubaaaaa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Leno Etheridge
    Robbo Laporte Vertong Duffy Valery
    Mane Eriksen Son Deulofeu Camarasa
    Aguero Firmino Jiminez

    Wanted to BB initially. But with the Firmino’s injury rumours and Poch presser indicating he may rest some players, it’s not a good time to BB this week right?

  28. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Salah upfront would be sweet!!!

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Oh yeah... 😎

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It's been Mané more recently though, right? He did pretty well if I remember correctly...

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Not sure, when Salah was playing upfront in mid-season, he was getting good returns from what I recall

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          He's lead the line in a 4-2-3-1, not in a 4-3-3 which Liverpool have been rolling out in recent weeks. Expect Origi to come in if, and it's a big if, Firmino is out.

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Not really.

      1. XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Huddersfield fan?

    4. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It will be Bobby. News is nonsense.

  29. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Llorente -> Origi?

    Too punty?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Wow - bold as brass

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It’s like selling dumb for dumber

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        *dumberer

  30. Spoox777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Please pick one to start...

    Doherty vs WAT (currently on Doherty)
    Cathcart vs WOL (Watford won 2-0 earlier in the season)
    Kolasinac vs LEI

    Thank you.

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm in a similar situation and am starting Doherty while benching kolasinac and foster.

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks. Think i'll stick with Doherty.