Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 323 – Reacting to the Double and Blank Gameweeks

This week is pivotal for Fantasy managers as they look to navigate their way through a tricky set of fixtures as the season nears its conclusion.

The midweek announcement of a Double Gameweek 29 for Manchester City and Arsenal is among the key developments that our Scoutcast trio of Joe, Pranil (Lateriser12) and Az discuss in this busy episode of the Scoutcast.

They are also keeping a close eye on how Blank Gameweek 31 is shaping up, with this latest episode broadcast on Tuesday during Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup .

The deployment of chips will clearly be crucial in the Gameweeks ahead, so our trio look to cover as many permutations as they can.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of other topics to consider, including the ‘form versus fixtures’ debate that Southampton and Everton’s strikers are creating.

Teams and players who are highly motivated also come under scrutiny, with relegation and European places still up for grabs. In contrast, those already dreaming of their holidays are also debated in their chat.

The ‘Rough with the Smooth’ round-up of your Gameweek 28 scores focuses on how Leicester’s wavering form has been a hindrance for some and a blessing to others.

Az takes his turn to pick a differential, with a former favourite firmly in his sights.

Clean sheets get an airing and the Scoutcast crew round up proceedings with a look at their transfer and captaincy plans for Gameweek 29.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.


BLANK GAMEWEEK 28 FPL MATCH REPORTS

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,978 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    90 mins for Lundstram last night - has he won his place back?

    1. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      FA cup = in the stiffs!

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      30 of his is supposedly better than 90 of many others ...
      😉

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      120+

      99 for Berge and a night off for Fleck & Norwood.

      The Swedish Lord is dead.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        God rest his soul 🙁

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          And the Souls of all the Faithfully Departed 🙁

  2. Garth Marenghi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Ings- Newcastle home
    B) Perez- Villa home
    C) Barnes- Villa home
    D) DCL- Chelsea away

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Lol
      That is tough ...

      1. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Lol this is why I seek expert advice!

        Leaning towards DCL even though he’s in form?!?!?!?!?

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      dcl reluctanty

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Perez for me. Or Perez > Saka if free.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      B and C 🙂

    5. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Perez is better away from home so prob him.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        What I thought for Norwich

    6. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      If Vardy is declared fit before the deadline then B, if not throw a coin between B and C

    7. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Thx all, Perez seems to be the consensus

    8. Offside Trapattoni
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I have a similar dilemma, playing Ings benching Perez.

    9. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Perez rested tonight

    10. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I'm not resting DCL when his XGI is the best in the game.

      Perez or Barnes probably and pray you guess correctly.

    11. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Fix your team.

    12. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      One of the Leicester players would be the sensible option

  3. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    KDB and Auba enough for the dgw? Anything worth a hit?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      That's what I'm going for

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Enough I’d say

  4. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Getting twitchy about Vardy now...

    Had him all season and wanted to keep him for this nice run but, if Leicester win tonight and blank 31 and Vardy remains a fitness doubt, do I sell him for Auba?

    1FT 2.6ITB
    Ryan
    TAA VVD Soyuncu
    Salah KdB Martial Traore*
    Vardy* Ings Jimenez

    McGovern Taylor Dendoncker Williams

    Thanks!

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      No brainer, do it.

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks mate. I might do it later tonight then, seeing as Vardy looks set to drop again. It was fun while it lasted...

    2. Phlajo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I did it

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks. The DGW is a clincher

  5. Dichio24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    My team:
    Pope
    TAA - Doherty - Robertson
    Salah - KDB - Grealish - Richarlison
    Pukki - Wood - Jimenez
    Button, Cantwell, Lascelles, Lundstram
    1 FT, £3,1M ITB

    My obvious move would be Grealish to Pepe or even Mahrez, and no hits. .
    Worth a -4 to do Pukki to Aubamayang, Grealish to Saka? Still set up pretty good for GW31.

    Any advice?

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I considered Pepe but I’m reluctant, feels risky and a bit of a coverage pick for Auba, so maybe the hit option?

  6. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Pope
    Doherty TAA Egan lascelles Williams
    KDB Salah Bruno Barnes Saka
    Ings Jimenez Firmino

    1 ft, 1.8 itb

    Early thoughts? Wc, fh, bb left

    6 players for GW31 rn, with 3 transfers... Very tempted to do Firmino>Auba (c) this week anyway.

    Worth it?

  7. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    My Team with 1FT and nowt in bank
    McCarthey
    TAA/O'Connell/Soyuncu
    KDB/Salah/Fernandes/Maddison
    Ings/Jimenez/Firmino

    Bench...Button/Cantwell/Dunk/Kelly
    Got WC/Free Hit and BB left...would you WC this GW??

  8. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Evening.
    Would you do this for a hit?
    Boly + Traore ----> Doherty and Duda

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Much as I like Doherty, no.

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Yeah not for a hit

  9. jorgenoj
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Martial + Vardy --> Sarr + Auba (C) for -4?

    1. temo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I think I will do the same

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Nice moves

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      It's a yes from me

  10. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Sterling? I hope AWB makes it back ofc but if he wasn’t to he could be a great option tbh.!.

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Zero returns in the last 8 gameweeks for the best part of 12m? You'd have to pay me that much to even consider it.

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Worth a punt!?

        1. Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I am getting Sterling. He has a high ceilings and was involved in both goals in Madrid.

        2. Hulk Smash
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Sure... in the same way that one more drink is worth it when you're an alcoholic with crippling liver disease.

          1. Tinkermania
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            That analogy sucks. He is a differential. I am considering (R)aheem

  11. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Would you play a WC now, If you otherwise can get 7 players out GW31?

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      No

  12. Neto
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Best 4.1 option?

    A) Williams MNU
    B) Tanganga TOT
    C) Ngakia WHU
    D) Hanley NOR

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Tanganga.

  13. arkom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Soy / TAA / VVD / Aurier / Rico
    Salah / Martial / Maddison / KDB / Cantwell
    Vardy / Ings / DCL

    1 FT (1,3£ ITB)

    A) Vardy —> Auba
    B) Martial —> Pepe
    C) Other?
    D) Save

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      A

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      A

  14. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    This bench boost good to go?

    Ederson McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Doherty Lascelles Egan
    Sarr Barnes Grealish KDB(c) Salah
    Jota Jiménez DCL

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Medium on it

      Lascelles away
      Grealish ?
      McCarthy - 3 goals or cs

      Nice first team

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        I don’t hate it, means I can focus on my 11 for the season run it and not let my bench impact my decisions. For context I have no WC

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          On the same policy really. Just can’t do anything about it as I’m stuck with Button post WC - face palm.

          Could work out.

  15. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Leicester loss gives me 11 in 31 and a FT to carry over for 32 to do Mane Ings to Auba Mahrez

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Same for me, but I think we may have used up all our luck last night.

  16. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    2 FT 2.6 ITB , no WC and FH in GW31

    Henderson
    TAA Stephens O’Connell
    Salah Bruno Barnes Mahrez
    Jimenez Aguero Ings

    McCarthy Taylor Hayden Fernandez

    A) Bruno -> KDB
    B) Mahrez -> KDB
    C) Mahrez and Kun -> KDB and Auba

    1. arkom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      A or C

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I guess C as KDB and Auba have a better chance of playing 180 minutes than the other pair.

  17. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Walker rested looks a decent double shout

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Considering him if i am on wc

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Pep doesn't seem to trust Cancelo with important games, at least for now. So probably the most nailed player other than KDB and Ederson for the double.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      cheers for the headsup. Might stick him in for Robertson if we get early team news saying Robbo is rested on Saturday.

  18. sovietrockettes
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Is this good for a WC?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Doherty Alonso (Cathcart) (Taylor)
    Salah KDB Pepe Saka (Sarr)
    (A)uba DCL Jota

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Good team but what your approach to 31?

      1. sovietrockettes
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        I will only need two transfers to field a full team for GW31

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      You played BB already? If not you have a gk transfer incoming - seems a waste on WC. (Fid the same myself 🙂 )

      Nice if you rate Arsenal. But that treble up feels bonkers to me. I’d go Mahrez over Pépé any day.

      1. sovietrockettes
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Mahrez is starting tonight, feels like Pépé is going to get more playing time.

  19. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Robbo & Vardy ➡ 5.5 DEF & Auba (-4)

    Yay or Nay..?

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Nay

  20. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Need to get rid of Barnes and Perez. Who's wildcarding for GW29?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Rested before Villa at home? madness.

    2. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I'm pulling the trigger most likely

  21. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Is there any point in doing Vardy > Auba if I'm going to to KDB (c) anyway?

    1. arkom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Wondering same question here..

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      If you think he's going to score more points in a DGW than Vardy in a SGW (which I do), then yes.

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        But in addition to this week's outcome, Auba has a blank in 31 and so maybe Vardy > Jota makes more sense.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          It's an option, if you think Auba's not going to score more than 4 points more than Jota this GW.

    3. Dichio24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Now that is a good point

    4. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      There is always a point in going for the players you think will score the most points

  22. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    How about this for free?

    Ings and Mane to Auba and Pepe?

    Would mean no KDB though (0.3 off him instead of Pepe).

  23. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Actually considering ederson as my ryan replacement, good fixtures til the end plus atleast one more dgw. Thoughts ?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Good option

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        cheers

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      If FH in GW31 and got the funds, good option imho

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        nah probably going FH DGW 34, WC GW 36 and BB DGW 37

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          No gk i 31 then? Then why not go with Pope or Patricio?

  24. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Martial > Pepe for free?

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Sure

    2. darkmatt3r
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Yes

  25. arkom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Who score more points in GW29?

    A) Ederson (-4 points)

    vs

    B) McCarthy

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      B imo, Newcastle at home is one of the best fixtures for keepers/defenders.

  26. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Anyone wonder why KDB is not even on the bench tonight for City.

    I fear for those who own/got in Aguero for GW29. Two starts in a row for him equals likely bence duty vs UTD.

    Where is Sterling by the way 😀

    Utter bench managed minutes blanks etc incoming!

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      As a Kun owner, I'm fine with last 30 mins at Old Trafford and starting home to Arsenal.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Kun likely to be rested after tonight to start vs Burnley.

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Huh? He's not missing both Utd and Arsenal.

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      DGW looks promising for KDB, Walker, Sterling.

    3. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Quite tempted by Sterling for dgw actually - mane likely rested before champions league and fresh sterling also has Burnley home after these 2 games when Mané is at Everton. Could then swap back to Mane for blank. Massive punt though with his current form

  27. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Anyone thinking of WC29 and FH31 strategy?

    Initially looked into WC29, FH34, BB37 with WC including 9 for GW31 fixtures. However the issue with this is that none of the BGW31 players are likely to have DGW in 37 and only 5 FTs would be left before GW37 to replace these.

    WC29, FH31, BB37 has a potential issue of GW34 but it seems like there won't be many blanks/doubles anyway so could be manageable.

    Any thoughts?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Wolves are an interesting case

      Play 31
      Potential blank 34
      Potential double 37

  28. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Oh my days just seen Carlos Vela’s chip from 1st round of MLS. Worth a look

  29. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Good evening guys! Would you WC this team ?

    Pope

    TAA - Robbo - Soy - Egan - Dann

    Salah - KDB

    Vardy - Ings - DCL

    Button - Antonio - Mcneil - Perez

  30. Salah Daze
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Martial + Firmino to Aubameyang + Saar for -4? Yay or Nay?

    1. darkmatt3r
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Yes not sure about the - 4 though maybe wait a week