Scout Picks

Gameweek 8 Scout Picks retains faith in Salah

We have kept faith in two of Liverpool’s most attacking players for the Gameweek 8 Scout Picks.

The visit of Leicester to Anfield has concerned some invested in Jurgen Klopp’s men but are still expecting a positive result.

The Scout Picks has been carefully put together using David, Neale, Paul and Geoff’s Scout Squad submissions from earlier in the week.

For this weekend we line up in a 4-3-3 formation and come in £0.5m under our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope has a favourable fixture this week as well as good form at home in 2019/20

Nick Pope (£4.6m) was a simple inclusion in the Scout Picks this week ahead of Burnley’s meeting with Everton at Turf Moor. The Clarets have already kept two clean sheets at home this season, against Southampton and Norwich, while Marco Silva’s men have found the net just once in three road trips. Meanwhile, Pope is currently fifth in the league for saves (24).

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a regular inclusion in the Scout Picks this season

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) remains a favourite of the Scout Squad panel, chosen as the best option in defence by three of them this week. Liverpool may not have kept a Premier League clean sheet at Anfield this season but they have conceded the fewest big chances of any side in the last four matches. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold remains the top defender for chances created in that period, fashioning eight more than any other player in his position.

Nicolas Otamendi (£5.5m) continues to be the most nailed-on Manchester City defender, which should see him do well against Wolves this weekend. The visitors had another exerting Europa League encounter on Thursday night and had to play nine of the players who beat Watford in Gameweek 7. That is far from the ideal preparation for a trip to the Etihad Stadium when Wolves have had troubles in front of goal this season. Only four teams have scored fewer goals than them on the road in 2019/20, while Manchester City have conceded the fewest number of shots in the last four matches.

Matt Lowton (£4.5m) joins the Scout Picks as part of a Burnley defensive double-up. We’ve already covered the Clarets’ clean sheet potential in Gameweek 8, why it’s the right-back getting the nod is his creativity. Erik Pieters may have more assists of any other Burnley defender this season but Lowton has created more chances than any other colleague bar Ashley Westwood. 

Despite graduating from the £4.0m bracket, John Lundstram (£4.5m) can still offer plenty of value in Gameweek 8. Watford remain in the bottom three for big chances this season while Sheffield United kept a clean sheet on their last away trip. Meanwhile, Lundstram continues to be a creative force for the Blades, only four players in the whole league fashioning more big chances than him in the first seven matches.

Midfielders

Salah has been reliable in home matches in all competitions this season

The Scout Squad have retained faith in Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), even ahead of a tricky meeting with Leicester City. The Foxes defence has been in good shape in recent weeks but Salah has done very well at Anfield this season. Every Premier League match there in 2019/20 has seen him produce attacking returns and if we factor in the latest Champions League outing, he has six goals in all competitions in front of his own fans this season.

A midweek rest for Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) should put him in a good place for the visit of Wolves to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Not only did the midfielder get most of the Dinamo Zagreb off, he also provided a goal and assist when he took to the pitch as a substitute. As already mentioned, Wolves have not had the best preparation for this trip and have conceded in each of their last two away matches. Gameweek 8 was another one in which we also like the prospects of Aguero but we could not quite squeeze him and Sterling into the line-up, the latter definitely a much more likely starter this weekend.

Two goals in two for John McGinn (£5.8m) has firmly placed the Aston Villa midfielder on the Fantasy radar once again. So far this season, only two players have registered more shots on target than McGinn, which bodes well for a trip to Norwich this weekend. The Canaries have conceded 15 goals in the first seven matches, only Watford have shipped more, and are yet to keep a clean sheet at Carrow Road in 2019/20.

Forwards

Fresh from a midweek rest, Aubameyang is back in the Scout Picks once again

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) is still yet to blank this season so it is hard to see his scoring run ending in a home match against Bournemouth. The Cherries have conceded five times in their three away matches this season and have historically struggled at the Emirates Stadium.

Tammy Abraham (£7.6m) looks in a good place to reward his owners’ patience in Gameweek 8. In the last four matches, he is behind only Aguero for shots in the box and tops the league for efforts on target. A continuation of that trend at a Southampton side without a clean sheet at home this season should see Abraham do well.

Gameweek 8 should be the week that Teemu Pukki (£7.2m) returns to the Fantasy conversation. While Norwich have struggled on the road this season, they have been full of goals at Carrow Road. Pukki himself has averaged 13.3 points per game there in 2019/20 while Aston Villa have conceded seven goals across their three away matches so far.

Substitutes

Given that we fancy Sheffield United’s clean sheet chances this weekend, it makes sense to include Dean Henderson (£4.5m) on the bench. He was selected by three of our Scout Squad panel.

Harry Maguire (£5.5m) came close to making it into the final XI based on Newcastle’s problems in front of goal this season. Ahead of hosting Manchester United, the Magpies are yet to score more than once in a match this season and have blanked twice at home already.

John Fleck (£4.8m) could be a tidy differential for anyone looking to capitalise on Sheffield United’s favourable trip to Watford. He is joint-top among his colleagues for chances created over the last four matches and is second for shots inside the box.

As we discovered earlier this week, Chris Wood (£6.2m) stands a good chance of continuing his scoring run when Everton come to Turf Moor. In the last four Gameweeks, only three players have been afforded more big chances than the Burnley striker.

The Captain

The Scout Picks now has a captain for the 2019/20 campaign.

This skipper is chosen using the conclusions of the latest Captain Sensible article and a four-way vote between David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek will be known only to those who have signed up to Membership for the 2019/20 season.

It will be revealed to the public only when the deadline for the Gameweek has passed.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 8 is Vobinho in Wengerland.

They have gone for a 3-4-3 of Dúbravka; Holebas, Schär, Alonso; Zaha, D Silva, Willian, Saka; Firmino, Aguero (c), Kane.

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 Community Champion in Gameweek 7 as The Greenback Boogie won by a close 54-52 scoreline.

irfansheikh‘s winning margin of 16 points from Gameweek 7 is the latest score to beat for the 2019/20 season.

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

5,269 Comments Post a Comment
  1. gamesmad11
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Even tho KDB is flagged, does that not lock his price?

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks like he’s gonna drop to me

    2. gamesmad11
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just read the rules, ignore

  2. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Most on here say Yarmolenko is a better buy over the next few weeks then McGinn, but the RMT tool says otherwise.

    Who do I trust?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      the RMT tool!

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

      Never trust anyone on here. Bunch of knobs for the most part.

      Go with your gut.

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

        This.

  3. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How’s she looking? Hit taken, 0.8 ITB, WC available 🙂

    Pope
    TAA Digne Otamendi
    Sterling(c) Salah Mount Yarmolenko Cantwell
    Auba Pukki
    — Lundstram Rico Greenwood

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Did you remove KDB for who?

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

        I did. KDB to Yarmo, Barnes to Auba.

        WC still intact in case it goes tits up

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Nice

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

      I like this, as usual good on paper ...

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      She's a beauty, fancy a go myself

    4. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks a lot like this:
      https://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-wildcard-tips-gw8-ffgeek-imaginary/

      ...which is to say I approve

  4. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which 1?
    A.Guendouzi
    B. Saka?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Saka obviously more likely to haul, but more likely to be benched as well. Risk vs reward

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

      None

      1. Mesh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for your help..

    3. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      How good is the rest of your bench? Saka is the better player short term but if you have 3x possible no show on the bench, Guendouzi is the safer pick

    4. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B as long as you have other active bench players

  5. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB in free fall worth a hit to move to Mahrez, Dilva?

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Which though, such a tough one!

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I've punted on Mahrez but let's face it, it is a minefield. He's in form, higher ceiling etc.

  6. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Good luck to everyone for GW8

    Hope all your defenders get assists and no clean sheets

    Hope all your midfielders score double digits

    Hope all your strikers get hat tricks

    Out

  7. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Team looks weak : what to do here?

    Adrian
    Lund Ota Vvd Tomori
    Salah Eriksen Ceballos Yarmo
    Aguero King

    Button greenie KdB Smith

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

      WC? Adrian, Ceballos, Smith, Greenwood, King are the ones requiring action IMO.

      https://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-wildcard-tips-gw8-ffgeek-imaginary/

  8. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Struggling like mad lads, any help?

    1FT 0.2ITB

    Hendo
    TAA Digne Diop
    Salah KDB Sterl Ceballos Mount
    Barnes Pukki
    (Stek, Greenwood, Soy, Montoya)

    1. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB + Barnes -> Son + Abraham?
      or Auba + Maddison (dont know if price works)

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers but not keen tbh

  9. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope, heaton
    Vvd, soyuncu, montoya, (Rico, aurier*)
    Salah, sterling, Mount, Dendoncker, (kdb*)
    Abraham, pukki, Haller

    1 free transfer, 0 itb....defence is looking shocking this week.

    WC next week, or wait til gw 13?

  10. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    WC this lot next week? Thinking its time to freshen up
    Heaton*
    Trent Aurier* Zinchenko* Lowton
    Salah Sterling KDB* Mount
    Pukki Haller*

    Button Rico Dendonker* Greenwood

    Have 1ftand 1.3mil

  11. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think Mahrez will start?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not so confident as an owner.

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I bloody hope so, just punted here

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I think yes! BSilva drops at KDB's place! Mahrez plays at the right flank!

    4. MTPockets
        4 years, 5 months ago

        If Bernardo's in midfield

    5. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Plunge taken on KDB to Mahrez...

      Start
      A. Cantwell
      B. Lundstram

    6. ludaslol
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Whats the WC template this week? IM pretty lost...

      1. FPL Panda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Shocker of a question. Make.ur own team mate

    7. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero owners! How are you feeling?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Nervous - capping him potentially

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          You're gonna be a happy lad this weekend!

      2. Percy07
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        confident

      3. hsakrujd
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Pretty relaxed, thanks...

      4. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Gone full circle from convincing myself to get Auba to now potentially captaining Agüero

    8. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Already regreting my De Bruyne to Mahrez transfer...

      1. RealVirg
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Would you prefer to double up with Tammy and Mount?

    9. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Play Cantwell or James?

    10. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      will Mahrez play in AFCON game v Morocco? (October 18th)

      1. Party time
          4 years, 5 months ago

          He has to, captain of Algeria against a rival nation. Won't be an easy match for algeria

          1. SAY MY NAME
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            don't think he played first leg...maybe he has an agreement not to play the qualifiers?

            1. Party time
                4 years, 5 months ago

                You're right. He might not play, the date has not been completely fixed as of now(18th is just the likely date)

          2. MTPockets
              4 years, 5 months ago

              African Nations Championship and no, just for those who play in african national leagues

              1. SAY MY NAME
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                great, thanks MTP!

          3. Benjixclusyv
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Ryan, Adrian
            Aurier(suspended), Kelly, Digne, Montoya, VVD
            Fraser(questionable), Sterling, Mount, Salah, Dendonker
            Abraham, Barnes, Pukki

            1 FT. 1mil itb

            Have the funds to do Aurier & Fraser to Mahrez & a West Ham 4.5 defender for a hit.

            Worth it? or play Fraser and use the 2 FT over the intl break? Should I even be considering wildcarding after the break?

            Any suggestion appreciated

            1. FPL_DON
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Do it

          4. Lignja
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Pope
            Robertson, Otamendi, Lundstram
            Salah, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell
            Aguero, Abraham, Pukki

            Button, Kelly, Dendoker, Aurie

            a.Save
            b.Aguero to Auba
            c.Cantwell to Saka

          5. Snapes on a Plane
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Which seems like the better option?
            A) KDB > Mahrez
            B) KDB + Haller > Yarmalenko+ Auba(-4)

            1. CRO KLOPP
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I am torn betwen B and save

            2. Pep Roulette
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              B looks good! I did Pepe +Haller to Yarmolemko & Aubameyang for a hit! Feels good!

            3. jason_ni
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I'm not really considering option a, not sold on mahrez..
              But I am tempted by option b.

              Problem is how do we get kdb back in down the line!

          6. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yarmolenko is a trap,right?

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              feels like it tbh, seems to good to be true

              1. CRO KLOPP
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Enabler for Auba I suposse

            2. Lecky Legs FC
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Nah

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                havent watched him if im honest lol, but doesnt he just cut in and shoot on his left? Thats how all his goals came I think?
                A decent defender should know this and not give him this opportunities. I may however be chatting total cack, my point is maybe he can be nulified easy enuf by a smart defender

                1. CRO KLOPP
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  I think Haller Open his space

            3. Fpl Richie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              A handsome Ukrainian goal getting trap.

          7. Catastrophe
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Would you do Cantwell -> Yarmalenko for a hit? Montoya 1st sub.

            Cheers

            1. CRO KLOPP
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Nope

              1. Catastrophe
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Thanks

          8. Pedersen
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Anyone think Mahrez or son will increase twice or Bruyne will decrease twice in price? Consider making Bruyne to either and by him back when he is fit. Might as well earn some to the bank on it 🙂

          9. n14mul
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yea KDB injured but why the is everyone selling him for potentially one game?

          10. elchilangles
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            should we sell KDB or keep?!

            1. n14mul
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Similar question above, can't understand the mass sale.

              1. Pedersen
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Well city manager have a bad habit of talking problems down, ending calling their return way sooner than they actually do...

                1. n14mul
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Good point. But I have had KDB in from the start and see him as a key player so not selling him till he is out for a more than one game. International break gives him potentially the time to recover

            2. Gudjohnsen
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              50/50 imo

          11. Henning
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Play Rico or use a transfer to do KDB out for D.silva/Mahrez?

            1. n14mul
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I'm playing rico

            2. korbendallas82
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Is KDB out costing you 4 mill? Im sitting on him til 19.10.

              1. n14mul
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Agree

              2. Henning
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Have Rico as first sub, but if i get D.Silva/Mahrez in for KDB i would play One of them instead for Rico

                1. korbendallas82
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Well, it could work. Its a difficult choice.

            3. FPL_DON
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Hmmm thinking of selling myself at most looks like we’ll be losing .1

            4. KNOW IT ALL
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              play rico

          12. KJT123
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            KDB + King > Saka + Auba for free?

            1. korbendallas82
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              No.

          13. A Fat Spanish Waiter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Help please:

            1) de Bruyne -> Mahrez (will get De Bruyne back in week 9 or after Bernardo is back from (presumed) suspension.

            2) cantwell -> Saka

            3) nothing.

            I have 2ft and .8itb. Happy with rest of team

          14. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Did anyone think of Aguero & Jesus both starting this weekend? Jesus on LW, Raz on RW with Aguero in thr centre!

            1. how now brown cow
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              No point guessing.

            2. SHOOTER MCGINN
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I can get on board with that

          15. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            First week in a while I've looked at my kdb-less team and thought it looks well set.

            Bound to end in tears.....