Scout Picks - Bus Team

FPL Double Gameweek 25 Scout Picks early selection: Salah v Ronaldo?

With only two matches of Gameweek 24 to go, we’ve put together our Scout Picks ‘bus team’ ahead of Gameweek 25 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

This is a new feature we first rolled out last week and it’s essentially a first draft of our regular XI, partly in response to feedback from some users who wanted certain features or articles to be available earlier in the week.

The Scout Picks widget on the home page is generally only in use for a very short space of time (one or two days a week, at most) and becomes largely redundant once the deadline passes, so this new article strand will also hopefully give it a bit more shelf-life.

The pre-deadline picks will stay as they are and cement our weekly selection based on the Scout Squad long-list entries but this ‘bus team’ – a rather macabre term coined by the Always Cheating boys, as it’s the team you set at the start of the week in case you get hit by a bus before the deadline – will discuss the players who are likely to be in the running.

Here is our early, rambling thoughts on the runners and riders up for selection in Gameweek 25, followed by the preliminary picks themselves.

THE LIKELY LADS

Toney fitness update as 2

There are two teams who ‘double’ in Gameweek 25, Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion, and even with various reservations about the Red Devils and the Seagulls, it’s a fair bet that at least one or two assets from each side who will find their way into our final Scout Picks.

One of David de Gea (£5.3m) and Robert Sanchez (£4.6m) will surely be between the posts, with the money on the former given that United are at home in both matches and that he is capable of compensating for clean sheet losses: he has picked up a combined total of 13 save and bonus points in Ralf Rangnick’s nine matches in charge.

If Sanchez is overlooked, then a Brighton defender comes into the thinking as a route into their backline. We probably can’t rely on Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) for successive starts, so Marc Cucurella (£5.1m) could be a safer selection: quite creative, a bonus points magnet and not prone to injury like his fellow defender, he has a 100% appearance record since his Gameweek 4 debut. With a goal-shy, Hodgson-led Watford one of Albion’s opponents, a Brighton defender would arguably have been in the Scout Picks conversation even without a second fixture. A fit-again Lewis Dunk (£4.8m) also merits consideration.

Further forward, Bruno Fernandes (£11.7m) is surely the front-runner. Given more license to drift into more threatening central positions in Ralf Rangnick’s 4-3-3, he is the league’s leading chance creator over his last four matches.

With Burnley scoring on only three occasions in the last eight matches, there is an argument for a Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.5m) and Andrew Robertson (£7.1m) double-up if the budget allows. The corner-taking, free-crossing pair, responsible for 21 attacking returns this season, will be facing a Burnley outfit that has allowed more opportunties to be created from set plays per game than any other side bar Leicester.

Speaking of the Foxes, their dismal defensive displays this season sunk to new lows last weekend when they were thrased 4-1 by second-tier Nottingham Forest – a perfect match-up, you’d think, for the in-form Jarrod Bowen (£6.9m), who is on the cusp of hitting 20 attacking returns with over a third of the campaign to go.

IN CONTENTION

Salah penalty miss, Jota blank, Maddison injured: FPL notes from Leicester v Liverpool 1

Mohamed Salah‘s (£12.8m) three-Gameweek hiatus from the Scout Picks may be about to come to an end. The only doubt about his inclusion is for budgetary reasons, as there’s a rigid £83m cap and there often isn’t room for more than two premium midfielders/forwards.

And so, while a ‘threemium’ selection’ can’t be ruled out at this early stage, it may come down to a straight choice between Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m). About the only thing that the veteran Portuguese has in his corner is the fact that he has two fixtures to Salah’s one, with one of the Double Gameweek 25 matches against a Southampton side without a clean sheet in 12 games. Ronaldo’s minutes-per-chance average is actually better than Salah’s since Rangnick took charge but those opportunities simply haven’t been going in, and he’s evidently now a rotation risk, too.

Rotation has historically been one of the downsides to Brighton assets and while it hasn’t been as rife in 2021/22, both Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) and Neal Maupay (£6.5m) were on bench-warming duties in the Seagulls’ last Double Gameweek. Maupay is the form player if we do swallow the risks, with six returns in his last seven starts.

Line-up tinkering also burned us with Odsonne Edouard (£6.5m) in midweek, so perhaps Wilfried Zaha (£6.8m) is the safer, more sensible bet against a Brentford side with only one clean sheet to their name since Gameweek 5.

The Manchester City title procession continued with a 2-0 win over Brentford and there’s another appealing fixture on the cards this weekend, even if Norwich have tightened up a bit of late. The only issue with the trip to Carrow Road is that it falls in the middle of a Wednesday-Saturday-Tuesday trio of games, the last of which is the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Sporting Lisbon. The likes of Kyle Walker (£5.4m), who is suspended in Europe, and Ilkay Gundogan (£7.2m) could be Scout Picks candidates then, alongside the in-form Kevin De Bruyne (£12.2m).

Fresh from their double-digit hauls against Leeds, Philippe Coutinho (£7.1m) and Jacob Ramsey (£4.6m) may be in the Scout Picks running – although three goals conceded in four matches by Newcastle suggests Eddie Howe is moving the Magpies’ rearguard in the right direction. We’ll have to see if the blow Coutinho sustained to his knee on Wednesday amounts to anything, too.

And speaking of defences, the Spurs backline will have a good chance to bounce back from their 3-2 loss at Southampton with the visit of a Wolves side who have scored just eight goals in 11 matches (albeit five in their last two).

THE LONG SHOTS

Brighton Burnley 8

Leeds, who have conceded 23 goals in eight games, this weekend meet Everton, who are without a clean sheet since Gameweek 11 and who were arguably flattered by a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle. Compatriots Raphinha (£6.6m) and Richarlison (£7.4m) could come into the reckoning, then, although it’s a bit of an unknown how Frank Lampard will set up after the midweek defeat and a tired-looking Raphinha had a real off-night against Villa on Wednesday. At the moment, the Leeds winger fits perfectly into our £83m budget as the 11th selection but there is a conversation to be had over if he stays there – and the ‘out of position’ Daniel James (£6.0m) is a cheaper alternative after his two-goal heroics at Villa Park.

After they conceded to Burnley (twice), Newcastle, Wolves, Aston Villa and Brentford in the last six Gameweeks, we’re also putting the Manchester United defensive double-up in the ‘long shot’ pile despite the appealing-looking fixtures.

Harry Kane (£12.3m) and Son Heung-min (£10.7m) have to be low down the premium priority list, too, as Wolves boast one of the meanest defencces in the division and haven’t conceded more than one goal in a match since Gameweek 11.

GAMEWEEK 25 BUS TEAM/FIRST DRAFT PICKS

FPL Gameweek 25 Scout Picks early selection: Salah v Ronaldo?
932 Comments Post a Comment
  1. radawson
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Only have De Gea currently for DGW25. Got 2FT and planning to use one on Maddison > Bruno.

    Got £5.1m to spend on a defender for the other….

    A) Dalot
    B) Cucurella
    C) Digne

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C of those

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Despite loast night. I am thinking Digne as i will dead-end my team GW30 and the fixtures age good

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think DDG & Bruno is plenty for 25. Still not convinced that Villa keep many CSs so I'd probably look elsewhere (Tierney?)

      1. vova
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        this

  2. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Coutinho v Newcastle GW25 & v Watford GW26

    B) Zaha v Brentford GW25 & Chelsea + Watford DGW26

    C) Olise v Brentford GW25 & Chelsea + Watford DGW26

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. ebb2sparky
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. vova
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A all day

    4. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A if he is fit?

    6. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

  3. Kno
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    How many fires to put out before you consider a wc? Got like 6 players I want to get rid of including a couple of watford strikers stinking up my team as well as the amazing duo of keane/alonso

    1. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Oh dear, defo WC time.

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

      Maybe give those Watford strikers the last opportunity with their upcoming DGW and then WC?

  4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Curious on opinions here. Sa or Pope? I'm on WC but have had Sa and was planning on holding but contemplating Pope. Has a good few fixtures to be rearranged and great save point potential. But Sa may end up with another DGW after DGW26 and has great save point potential as well as better chances of clean sheets, as well as a fixture swing soon. Am I right to stick with Sa?

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If on WC now, id definitely have DDG first and Ramsdale second for gw26 tbh.

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I don't trust MU defensively despite DDGs ability to get save points so I'm afraid I'm not considering him. I'm only getting Bruno for the double but he's straight out after to facilitate Kane

        1. Free Hat
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I understand, but with saves he is almost a guaranteed 6pointer for me that gw.
          And if you dont go DDG, id pick Sanchez as 2nd for gw25.

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

      Pope

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think Pope, and maybe a Wolves defender

  5. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Current team for GW25
    Sanchez*
    Cancelo TAA Digne
    Jota Bowen KDB Foden
    Edouard Dennis Antonio

    Subs: Foster, Rudiger, Livra, Luiz

    Is it worth a -4 to do Rudiger & Foden > Cucurella & Bruno?

    Or should I not worry too much about taking a hit for DGW and just do Foden to Bruno?

    Looking to Free Hit GW26 and then change tinker GW27 going forwards, all chips available still. Any suggestions welcome.

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

      I would do that move for -4 certainly

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Who would you drop if you got Cucurella?

      1. niaz1982
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Most likely Dennis

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

    0 DGW players, 1 FT……prioritise Bruno but are any of the following worth a hit?

    A) Kane>CR7
    B) Kane> Maupay
    C) Pickford>DDG
    D) Johnson>Dalot

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

      C imo

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Don't like losing Kane, you'll want him back.
      Not keen on the Utd defence.
      So, probably not, no, although Johnson doesn't play so maybe D

    3. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C should pay off.

    4. hustler7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C

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

    I have at the moment 0 players for GW30 (or actually I have Livramento if Southampton plays) and got only 1 FH left. Is it better to use the next 5 free transfers to get 5-6 players for GW30, which might be anyway a very low scoring gameweek, and play FH in GW27? Or just completely ignore GW30 and use FH then?

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      how does your team look like for GW27? I would lean towards using a FH in 30 if you have no players, would ruin the balance of your team to use all your transfers preparing for 30

  8. Mufc202020
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A) Bruno + Mac Allister
    B) Pogba + Sancho

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

      B

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    4. Il Capitano
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    5. vova
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

  9. waltzingmatildas
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thinking of KDB to Bruno using my FT.
    Any of these worth a hit?
    A) Antonio to Maupay
    B) Pedro to Broja

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Only pedro to maupay would be worth it imo, but I guess thats not possible.

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Neither

    3. Il Capitano
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not massively keen on either for -4, you have Pedro benched I guess?

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah exactly. Cheers

    4. vova
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      nah

    5. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers guys. Will just stick with the first move.

  10. Il Capitano
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    1FT 3.7m ITB

    Guaita
    TAA Cancelo Dawson
    Jota Foden Bruno (C) Raph Bowen
    Antonio Watkins

    Foster - King Livra White

    Want Salah and Son in for 26, need to shave some cash off to make this happen:

    A) Foden > Son (downgrade Antonio/Dawson next week to fund Bruno > Salah -4)
    B) Foden + Dawson > Son + Webster/Veltman (-4) (Salah for free next week)
    C) Dawson > Webster/Veltman (Bruno + Foden > Salah + Son next week -4)

    Brighton defender the best pick if I'm playing them in 25 and 27 (benched 26)?

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B, maybe Dalot instead of Brighton def?

      1. Il Capitano
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Could work, but not too keen on the United defence beyond DDG, still a small risk of AWB coming in for one of the games too? What I also like with Webster/Veltman is I get a bigger buffer against price rises (0.4-0.6) v 0.2 if I go with Dalot.

  11. vova
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Jota to Salah this week or wait?

    1. hustler7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If nothing else required and its for free I'd go for it.

  12. hustler7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Which of these teams do you prefer for DGW26:

    A)
    Foster*
    Tierney* TAA* Cancelo
    Jota Salah Martinelli Bowen
    Antonio Dennis Kane

    B)
    Foster*
    Cash TAA* Cancelo
    Jota Salah Saka Bowen
    Weghorst Dennis Kane

    I guess it is Tierney, Martinelli, Antonio (A) vs Cash, Saka, and Weghorst (B). I have all chips left too and plan is to use TC in 26 and FH27.

    1. TanN
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A imo

  13. Old Bull
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Bring Salah back or leave it another GW and roll with KDB?

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      let's see what happens tonight, I'm leaning towards bringing him back in (don't have KDB though)

    2. Blens
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I have KDB but hear noise that he may be rested in advance of CL...I was initially thinking Salah but then also have the option of Bruno or Pogba(as a bit of a punt) for GW25 (double) and Salah in GW26

  14. George James
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Kane >> Ronaldo for free?

  15. TanN
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Current squad
    1.4itb 1ft

    DDG Sanchez
    Cancelo TAA Robbo Reguilon RAN
    Bowen Jota KDB Maddison Gilmour
    Dennis DCL Watkins

    I am considering Jota and Maddison to J.Ramsey and Bruno (c).

    And then the week after KDB/Bruno out for Salah with either Watkins or Dennis making way for a cheaper striker like Edouard

    Thoughts on this plan?

  16. AzzaroMax99
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Which one to get instead of Gray?

    A) Coutinho
    B) Ramsey

    Ramsey would be 5th mid in 3-4-3 but with Coutinho my formation should be changed to 3-5-2 :/

    Front 8:

    Kdb Bruno Bowen Jota Gray*
    Dennis Watkins Edouard

  17. The Bad Seed
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    so who else benched Ramsey and isnt getting his points?

    Thank you Eduoard for the 5 mins cameo!