The Scout Squad – Gameweek 34

Double Gameweek teams – Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough – dominate our thinking as we take a look at those in the running for a coveted place in this Friday’s Scout Picks.

This article aims to give a greater insight into the decision-making process behind our selections, as Mark, Paul and I list the 18 players we think have the best chance of success across the four positions, listed in rank order.

The discussions and disagreements that will take place behind the scenes are then showcased as each of us looks to back our players for a place in the Scout Picks and Spot the Differential articles.

Finally, we will also reveal the Community Champion who has been selected by our lottery to represent the community and be in with a chance of winning a £100 Amazon voucher.

Goalkeepers

Stoppers can often be the most lucrative source of points in a double Gameweek, with clean sheets and save and bonus points available to them. This was particularly the case for Crystal Palace’s Wayne Hennessey (4.3) last season when he earned two clean sheets and three save points across his two fixtures in Gameweek 33. With that in mind, it is no surprise to see the 3%-owned Welsh keeper gain universal support, including top billing from Mark and myself.

But while he faced Norwich City and Everton last season, this time around he has far more fearsome encounters, with a trip to Liverpool followed by a visit from a Spurs side that’s scored 18 times over their last six matches – more than any other team.

Liverpool’s 11 goals over the same period also limit his clean sheet potential, which means we may rely on save points and bonus returns if he is to reward our faith.

David De Gea (5.4) is another to earn three nods, including top spot from Paul, given the strong shut-out potential of a resolute Manchester United defence ahead of visits to Burnley and Manchester City.

Over their last six matches the Red Devils have conceded just three times, the lowest tally of any side. They also earned a clean sheet against title favourites Chelsea at the weekend to give hope of returns against their Manchester rivals.

Security of starts is another attraction for the Spaniard, with Jose Mourinho likely to rotate across outfield positions during a congested fixture run that sees them play four times across 10 days.

A rib injury to Victor Valdes (4.6) could sideline him for Middlesbrough’s trip to Bournemouth and home match with Sunderland. I’ve included him in my selection in case he recovers in time, but Mark and Paul have already decided to look to Hull City custodian Eldin Jakupovic (4.1) instead.

Although the Tigers have failed to keep a clean sheet in all of their last four home league matches, they have only conceded more than a goal in one of those fixtures, the 4-2 defeat of Middlesbrough in Gameweek 31. Watford’s travel sickness also counts in the 22.4%-owned Swiss stopper’s favour, given they have failed to score in three of their last four road trips.

Defenders

While the threat of rotation looms large, Mourinho has indicated that centre back pair Eric Bailly (5.4) and Marcos Rojo (5.2) may not be given a rest due to injuries to Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Mark and Paul are backing Bailly with top spot, with starts in all but one of United’s eight league matches, in which he has secured four bonus points.

“Given his penchant for attacking returns, I’d obviously prefer Antonio Valencia for the double, but have a feeling that Jose Mourinho – as evidenced in two of the last three Gameweeks – could rest the Ecuadorian for one of United’s two matches due to recent concerns over fatigue. Bailly is my alternative, then, with his ability to earn bonus points earning him the nod over Rojo – a total of 13 is more than any defensive team-mate.”– Paul

I’ve instead opted for the slightly cheaper Rojo, just in case we struggle to squeeze our top choices into our 84m-budgeted Scout Picks. With a goal and a bonus point in his last six, he looks a more than capable deputy should we need the funds.

Daley Blind and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are lurking on the sidelines, so I’m not 100 per cent convinced that Mourinho will refrain from rotating this pair. This has prompted me to place Ben Gibson (5.0), who has started all of Middlesbrough’s fixtures this season, as my top choice double Gameweek defender.

Boro also have strong clean sheet potential, with Sunderland’s two goals against West Ham at the weekend their first in the league since Gameweek 24. Bournemouth’s attacking form has also dipped, with just three goals in their last four – half their tally over the previous quartet of matches. Second billing from Mark, and third from Paul, puts this Teesside stalwart among the favourites to survive Friday’s shakedown.

Patrick van Aanholt’s (4.9) goal threat has earned him three nominations, given that clean sheets may be hard to come by for Crystal Palace assets. The 3.6%-owned left-back has been involved in a fifth of all his sides’ goals while on the pitch this season, which includes a stint at Sunderland before moving to the Eagles in January.

Our remaining selections focus on attack-minded single Gameweek defenders with favourable home ties. As well as the aforementioned chance of a clean sheet for Hull, their towering defender Harry Maguire (4.4) also has plenty of threat, with two goals in his last three. Meanwhile, visitors Watford have shipped eight in their last four away days.

We all believe that Marcos Alonso (6.8) will recover from the virus that sidelined him for Chelsea’s defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The 15.2%-owned Spaniard has scored five times and assisted a further four this campaign, but visitors Southampton won’t make it easy for him. Over their last six road trips, Claude Puel’s troops have kept two clean sheets and scored 11 times, only failing to find the net away from home over that period against Burnley in Gameweek 21.

Midfielders

Attacking returns for double Gameweek midfielders look in short supply according to our selections, with just two players from the ranks of Manchester United, Boro and Palace earning a mention.

Wilfried Zaha (6.0) gains universal support and top billing from Paul and me, although with a last placing from Mark a berth in the Picks for the Eagles winger is far from certain.

The Liverpool trip looks crucial to the Ivory Coast international, with four of his five double-digit hauls arriving on the road and the Reds earning just one clean sheet in their last six at Anfield.

However, the Spurs encounter at Selhurst Park could also produce returns as Mauricio Pochettino’s charges have conceded five in their last six road trips. The winger is the most popular midfield acquisition since Saturday, with 50,000+ transfers.

The only other double Gameweek midfielder to gain a mention is Stewart Downing (4.9), who gets a fifth billing from Paul with a Spot the Differential article place in mind.

“Stewart Downing has become an increasingly crucial player for Middlesbrough since the recent change of manager. The winger is one of only four players to start all five matches under Steve Agnew and has played from start to finish on each occasion. Priced at 4.9 for Double Gameweek 34, he’s provided at least twice the number of scoring chances than any team-mate over that period and earned the assist for Alvaro Negredo’s leveler against Arsenal on Monday night”. – Paul

Leading the charge among single Gameweek options is Dele Alli (9.2), who drops by Selhurst Park as Spurs’ joint leading goal scorer on the road, along with Son Hueng-min, with eight goals each. Mark rates the 35.3%-owned England international as Gameweek 34’s best midfielder despite the single fixture, while Paul and I also strongly back him with second spot.

Those willing for a battle behind the scenes will be pleased to see dissent for our third choice in the centre of the park, as Paul and Mark stick by Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (11.6). His free-kick strike against Middlesbrough on Monday was his first league goal since Gameweek 29. With no double-digit hauls since Gameweek 25, I’m staying clear of the 24.7%-owned Chilean, particularly as he faces a potentially tricky home tie with Leicester City.

Instead, I’ll be urging my colleagues to back Eden Hazard (10.4), who is on a sensational run of form that has seen him score four times and assist a further two in his last six starts. Over that period, he has delivered three double-digit FPL points hauls to further strengthen his case.

Mark looks like he can be persuaded as he’s handed a fourth spot to the 30.6%-owned Chelsea schemer, who welcomes a Southampton side to Stamford Bridge that has shipped eight times in their last six away days.

A Liverpool midfielder could also get the nod ahead of Palace’s visit, with Paul and I backing the 12.7%-owned Roberto Firmino (8.6), who has delivered attacking returns in each of his last six run-outs.

Two more single Gameweek players earn a mention, with Mark strongly backing Swansea’s misfiring Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.5) with second billing.

While the Swansea playmaker has not scored in his last five, the Icelander has managed an impressive 18 shots over that period, suggesting that returns are not far away. A visit from a Stoke City side that has shipped eight goals without reply in their last four road trips looks a perfect opportunity for him to punish the 44,000+ FPL managers who have shown him the door this week.

“This is not the time to give up on Sigurdsson. I witnessed his attempts of dragging Swansea to a much-needed victory at Watford and, while his efforts were futile, rarely have I seen a midfielder attempt to take control of a match since the days of Steven Gerrard – Sigurdsson was immense. With that in mind, I just can’t see him blanking again in a home encoutner with a Stoke City side that will surely allow the Swans opportunities. If Paul Clement’s side get the goals and victory they so desperately require, the Sigurdsson will be in profit.” – Mark

Meanwhile, I’m hoping Josh King (6.0) earns a place for Boro’s visit, given he has served up five goals and an assist in his last six.

Forwards

While double fixture midfielders clearly don’t tickle our fancy, the same cannot be said of our forward candidates.

All of us believe that Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.4) is the best selection this week, with visits to Burnley and Manchester City on the back of a pair of goals, an assist and four bonus points in his last two league starts.

More than 64,000 FPL managers have secured his services since Saturday to take his ownership up to 31.2%.

Rotation could be a factor, though, and we will be keeping a close eye on his performance and minutes when United take on Anderlecht in the Europa League three days before their Turf Moor encounter.

Paul has offered up Marcus Rashford (6.5) as another option from Jose Mourinsho’s side, with a Spot the Differential berth a likely destination for the 5.6%-owned England starlet, who has scored twice in as many league matches.

Palace’s Christian Benteke (7.2) is another in-form striker to earn three votes, with three goals and an assist in his last four. Unlike Red Devils’ assets, the Belgian, who has earned 47,000+ new managers this week, looks to be rotation-proof after starting every league match since joining the Eagles from Liverpool in the summer.

Another double Gameweek striker pushing for inclusion, with three votes, is Alvaro Negredo (6.2). He has two goals in his last three and, among double fixture forwards, the 11.9%-owned Spaniard arguably has the most obliging defences – Bournemouth have conceded 11 in their last six and Sunderland have shipped ten over the same period.

Harry Kane (11.5), who has been subject to 54,000+ transfers this week, is in the driving seat should we opt for a single Gamweek striker, with second place mentions from Mark and Paul.

But while I’ve handed him a tentative last place, I’m concerned that his strong home form, with seven in his last four White Hart Lane starts, is clouding our judgement ahead of his visit to Crystal Palace.

Away from home he has had mixed fortunes, failing to find the net against Sunderland, Liverpool and Manchester City, but registering a brace against Watford in his last four road trips.

“Kane’s form, allied with the confidence in the Spurs camp, is just too intoxicating for me. I don’t see any Premier League side, let alone Palace, halting the Spurs juggernaut and, with Palace carrying their own threat, I think we’ll see three or even more goals from the visitors. If that’s the case, Kane will surely be among the points once again.” – Mark

I’ll be lobbying for Romelu Lukaku (10.5) to gain a place ahead of the England striker as he prepares to travel to his favourite side, West Ham, who have conceded 13 times in their last six. The 46.8%-owned Belgian has scored in all nine of his last Hammers encounters in all competitions. While Paul has ignored the Everton hitman, his third place in Mark’s list gives me hope.

Community Champion

Representing the Community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek will be A Manager Has No Name, who is the reigning FFScout Cup champion.

The community champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2016/17 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Last Gameweek’s champion Jazz was beaten 57-42 by the Scouts.

The current champion to beat is Boris Bodega, who achieved a 33-point margin of victory over us in Gameweek 15.