Scout Picks
12 May 2017 2058 comments
J0E J0E
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After listing the players under consideration in our midweek Scout Squad article, the time has come to reveal who has earned a place in this week’s Scout Picks.

With ten teams playing twice, our XI is dominated by double Gameweek assets, including those between the sticks.

Stoke City’s Lee Grant, Arsenal’s Petr Cech, Fraser Forster of Southampton and Manchester United’s David De Gea have all earned double-digit FPL scores during double shifts this season so we think it’s the turn of Willy Caballero (4.8) to join their ranks.

The Manchester City stopper’s clean sheet against Crystal Palace last weekend bodes well for returns when Leicester City and West Brom, in particular, travel to the Etihad – the Baggies have only found the net in one of their last six.

Already subject to a price hike this week and with 60,000+ new managers, the cut-price Argentine is currently FPL’s most popular goalkeeping transfer target. Security of starts is also in his favour, given that his rival for a starting berth, Claudio Bravo, has been ruled out for the season through injury.

We have found further savings with two more budget rearguard assets in our team, with Southampton’s 5.5% owned Maya Yoshida (4.5) surviving today’s shakedown.

As with City, the Saints also have strong clean sheet prospects away to already-relegated Middlesbrough and home to a Manchester United team with their minds firmly fixed on their Europa League final on May 24.

Another budget defender who has earned a place is Rob Holding (4.0), who has excelled in Arsenal’s three-man defence and sits in a mere 2.0% of teams.

Arsene Wenger’s latest update on the fitness of Laurent Koscielny, who only has a “small chance” of playing away to Stoke on Saturday, has helped in our selection of the former Bolton centre-back.

Holding’s two shut-outs against Manchester United and Southampton in Gameweek 36 earned three bonus points to further strengthen his cause.

We decided to double up on Arsenal defenders, with Nacho Monreal (5.9) offering a far greater security of starts. The 5.9%-owned Spaniard has started Arsenal’s last ten, picking up four clean sheets, as well as an assist and maximum bonus against Leicester in Gameweek 34.

Our four-man backline is completed by Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen (5.8), who also takes on a Europa-focused Manchester United side, as well as facing a trip to Leicester. Given that the Foxes have found the net ten times in their last six, it is the Red Devils home clash where we are most confident of clean sheet returns for the 7.1%-owned Belgian.

The United match will be Spurs’ last at White Hart Lane which we think will give Mauricio Pochettinho’s troops added motivation – even if their Premier League title dreams are shattered by Chelsea securing top spot with a win at West Brom tonight.

The savings made by opting for a 4-3-3 line-up mean we can afford two of FPL’s most expensive and potentially explosive midfielders, Kevin De Bruyne (10.4) and Alexis Sanchez (11.6).

Of this premium pair, City’s schemer has the greater form, averaging 8.5 FPL points per match over his last four on the back of four assists and a goal. Little wonder, then, that De Bruyne is this week’s most popular midfield transfer target, acquired by over 95,000+ managers.

His Etihad opponents, West Brom and Leicester, have conceded seven times each over their last six to add to our confidence.

Arsenal’s top scorer may lack the same form, with two goals in eight, but he has far superior fixtures to merit his inclusion and a late surge into second place in our latest Captain Poll.

The 28.2%-owned Chilean travels to a Stoke side that has shipped eight in their last six, and then hosts a Sunderland team that has seen their net breached nine times over the same period.

When it comes to value in midfield, Bournemouth’s Josh King, who was initially priced at 5.5 and still only costs 6.2, is in a class of his own. He’s netted 15 times this campaign and a home tie against a Burnley outfit that has conceded 33 times on the road has ensured the Norwegian takes his place as one of only two single-Gameweek representatives in our XI.

The other is Romelu Lukaku (10.2), who has 16 goals at home and hosts a Watford side that has shipped 10 over their last four away trips. We are anticipating heartbreak for the 199,000+ FPL managers who have discarded him this week ahead of tonight’s Goodison Park clash.

The Toffees talisman forms part of an expensive three-man frontline that includes Harry Kane (11.7), who should still be motivated by a late charge for the Golden Boot regardless of Chelsea’s possible title wrap-up. With 21 strikes this season, the 19.9%-owned striker is currently just three behind Lukaku.

Given that only five of his goals have come on the road it is that White Hart Lane finale, against Manchester United, where we are most hopeful of returns.

However, as Leicester could be without Wes Morgan and possibly his central defensive partner Robert Huth due to injury, Kane’s visit to the King Power stadium could also prove fruitful.

Another forward that may benefit from the Foxes’ injury problems at the back is our captain poll leader Gabriel Jesus (8.9), who takes on Craig Shakespeare’s troops before the Baggies drop by next Tuesday.

The Manchester City striker’s four goals and two assists across seven matches suggest he will reward our faith. With a relatively modest 10.3% ownership, he looks a shrewd differential armband option for those chasing in their mini-leagues.

A trip to the Etihad following tonight’s visit from a title-charging Chelsea means we are not anticipating clean sheet returns for West Brom’s Craig Dawson (4.8). But with four goals this season, including a strike at Burnley last weekend, he is worth a bench role in our picks as Tony Pulis looks to utilise the 2.3%-owned defender’s threat at set-pieces for the Baggies’ tough pair of matches.

If, as expected, the Blues wrap up the title at The Hawthorns, our midfield substitute Cesc Fabregas (6.9) could be handed a start for the London side’s second fixture, at home to Watford. With 13 assists in just 11 starts, the Spanish creator looks primed for points should he be afforded more minutes. A mere 2.6% ownership makes him another potentially savvy differential option.

Our final substitute has motivation in abundance, even if he only has the single fixture. Swansea City desperately need to win at Sunderland to continue their fight to stay in the Premier League, so their 6.4%-owned Spanish striker Fernando Llorente (6.1) will need to maintain the fine recent form that has seen him score twice in his last three.

Community Champion

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.

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

Last week’s champion, Coleymc3, was beaten 80-55 by the Scouts.

This week’s champion, QPRUTD, has opted for a 3-4-3 line-up of: Cech; Alonso, Davies, Gibbs; Hazard, Sane, Son, Albrighton; Costa, Jesus, Kane.

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

  1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    This page at least isn't flying yet

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Ahhh peace and quiet

  3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Shhhhhh

  4. Ginola14
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    7

    1. Think
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez (C)

  5. Fingerspitzengefühl
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Cheers, looking forward to captain sensible as well!

  6. AccountAnt80
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Holding or Gibbs? Scouts have Holding but is that a budget decision?

    1. Johqvist
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I went for Gibbs for the attacking threat should he only get one match but I guess it's bit of a coin toss since Kosc might be back for the second game.

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      As long as Kos is out (if Kos is out), both look relatively secure of starts. It's just what happens when Kos is back is the unknown.

    3. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Budget decision ...both are as at risk as each other though with Koscielny potentially back.

      Our picks came to 83.9 so very little spare £££

  7. Duffy Dunk
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Cech Caballero
    Alonso Koscielny Smith Maguire Yoshida
    Sanchez Hazard Alli Eriksen King
    Kane Jesus Barnes

    1 FT, 0.4 itb

    Your thoughts on these:

    A) Hazard->De Bruyne?
    B) Alli->Sane + Maguire->Vertonghen?
    C) Maguire->Stephens?
    D) if Koscielny is injured, Koscielny->Monreal or Koscielny->Mustafi?
    E) Which one is more at rotation risk, De Bruyne or Sane?

    Thank you

    1. Lanzini girls just want to …
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A

  8. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Scout picks getting thrashed by QPRUTD this week 🙂

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Grrrrr.... 🙂

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        No chelsea is a tad worrying, banking on rotation I guess.

  9. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on:
    Herrera > Xhaka
    and
    Gabriel > Vert

    1. Think
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Gabriel one.

    2. Lanzini girls just want to …
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Xhaka?? You mad man

  10. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Holding my Willy as I sit like a King eating my Nacho's

  11. Ginola14
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Took Bailly out for monreal on wed for a -4 wish I'd waited now

    1. Dino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Delighted you got stung, wish it happened to more early transferers

      1. Ginola14
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate

  12. eoan
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Wow Dawson made it in! I got him in for Huth in the hopes Pulis can do us that favor of postponing the title for Chelsea.

  13. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    How many of the top 100k still have BB?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      About 60k I think

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thats quite a few. Thanks.

  14. JurgenRocks
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Posting again on new article.

    DDG,
    Davis, Stephens, Kompany, Alonso
    Sanchez, Sane, King, KDB (TC)
    Gabbi, Kane

    Pickford, Rashford, Townsend, Evans

    G2G

  15. luke25
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    JWP, Tadic, Walcott, which one to get out most urgently? And secondly, for who?

    Thanks!

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Walcott->Sane/Sterling if you can afford, at least the other two are playing

      1. luke25
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Already got my three city players :/

  16. liiusions
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Sshh don't tell everyone about Dawson

  17. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Koscielny, Blind, Chambers, Rashford
    to
    Clichy, Davies, Holding, Jesus (-12)

    Yay or nay?

    1. Ginola14
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Leaning towards it. Let's have it.....

  18. Elwood
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What were the highlights from the City Presser?

    Any word on Aguero - he could be an epic dif.

    1. luke25
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      He's fit

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      He's fit

    3. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No new injury concerns.

      Aguero and Stones have been training and are in contention.

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    this is now making me consider holding

    1. Helia
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      samsies

    2. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      "What" is Bemba ? Arsenal presser on?

    3. Dino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      What is?

  20. Helia
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    what to do with koscielny? worth taking out for a hit?

    Callabero Jakupovic
    Koscielny monreal yoshida maison holgate
    sanchez sane ericen hazard king
    kane jesus(c) ayew

    (BB) 0FT, .3 itb thanks lads

  21. Lawrø
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone got McAuley or Brunt for this gameweek? 😀

    Ultimate differentials

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I need a 4.8 defender and I think I'm going Brunty 😆

    2. Ginola14
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Had brunt before gw 28, his 5 points came in handy last week

    3. Balance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      May I pick your brain 🙂

      What do you think of Huth to Brunt? Seems like Huth may miss the first game.

  22. guspowell
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Do we think Fabregas is a risk?

    Need a differential but can't afford him being benched.

    Thoughts?

  23. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    A. Gabriel (BDavies in)
    B. Gabriel & Huth (BDavies, Clichy in)
    C. Gabriel, Huth and Hazard (-4) (BDavies, Clichy, Fab in)
    D. Gabriel Huth, Hazard, Gabbiadini (-8) (BDavies, Clichy, Fab, Lukaku in)

  24. Ravager
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    RP:

    Huth out, 5.4m to spend:

    A) Clichy
    B) Holding
    C) Yoshida* (have Stephens)

    1. Think
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      B

  25. Think
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Repost because of new article.

    What's the consequences about Gabbiadini ?

    I want to ship out but can't afford other notable strikers.what to do with this team?

    Chec Caballero

    Alonso Huth Yoshida Manqillo Holgate

    Sanchez Hazard Sane King Capoue

    Kane Vardy Gabbiadini

    .4 in bank with 1FT.

  26. HazardAGuess
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    So would the scouts prefer Holding over Holgate? Hmm.

  27. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Please RMWCT

    Cabalerro Jak
    Stephens Davies Valenica Benalouane Holding
    Haz Eriksen Sanchez Albrighton Carroll
    Kane Rashford Jesus

    0.4ITB

    1. Lanzini girls just want to …
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Are rashford and Davies even gonna play?

  28. Cok3y5murf
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Holding in the scout picks. 100% nailed then?

    1. Lanzini girls just want to …
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Budget enabler

    2. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      100% destined to fail

    3. HazardAGuess
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't say so. Scout picks still often get things wrong.

    4. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Can't see Wenger dropping him now he's made the Scout Picks

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        xD

  29. Lanzini girls just want to …
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Is ageuro fit? Just knee jerked kdb in and wanna know

    1. luke25
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      He is

      1. Lanzini girls just want to …
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Hopefully he doesn't encroach on kdb's pitch time too much

  30. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    With the news about Kosc/Holding is it worth doing Robertson to Holding for free?