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. Astronautovic
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    5.2 itb
    Which defender should i get?
    A)holding
    B)dawson
    C) someone else

    Have stephens and already 3 southampton players

  2. RealSocialDads
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on Kompany (c)?

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

      can't trust Kompany's for a captaining matter

    2. Astronautovic
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No

  3. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who to get ?
    Monreal or Kompany

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

      Monreal

    2. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Monreal

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

      Agreed

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers

    5. Da Funk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Kompany, Arsenal are not keeping a clean sheet at Stoke I feel, awful record there.

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

    Those who have used their TC chip, when did you use it, on which player vs which team, and how much did it earn you?

    I used mine GW10, Sanchez vs Sunderland, total points was 39.

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

      Aguero on DGW 27 points

  5. Essrick
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Hi guys,

    A) Gabriel > Holding for free

    or

    B) Gabriel > Holding, Hazard > Fabregas, Alli > KDB and Costa > Kane for -16 (Read below for thinking behind this)

    My team currently;

    Caballero/Pickford
    Vert/Gabriel/Yoshida/Stephens/Holgate
    Sanchez/Haz/Alli/King/Albrighton
    Costa/Jesus/Anichebe

    My rival is only 24 points behind but has taken a -12 this week. His team before the transfers is this;

    DDG/Jaku
    Bertrand/McAuley/Pieters/Gibson/Pennington
    Sanchez/Alli/Eriksen/King/Zaha
    Kane/Gabbiadini/Rashford

    I feel like the only player I need to be worried about in his team before the transfers is Kane and I'm pretty sure he'll bring in KDB.

    Thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

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

      I think you're panicking, don't take a crazy hit like that and neutralise the hit your mate has taken. You've got a good team already, just do choice (A) if you wanna make a transfer

  6. rnrd
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Are you guys also trying to get into your rivals mind and try to profile them out?
    There are some guys I don't know in my leagues and I am studying their captain pattern so as I am able to get a rough picture of their profile to try to figure out what will be their captain this GW 😀

    You have the:

    - ultimate gambler. The guy that has dreams at night and follow them because if Holebas scored in his friday's night dreams, he will at saturday irl
    - the fixture man: always pick his captain depending on the weakness of the opponent
    - the mainstream: captain poll man
    - the casual: always captain the guy that have had two consecutive hauls
    - the son of a b*itch: the guy that transfer in an immediately captain his transfer so as nobody has seen it coming

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

      soab is interesting

    2. Enzo the Baker
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      haha good one, you should re-post this when traffic is slower on here

    3. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Lol

  7. umerlfc
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Take out Koscielny for a hit or keep and hope he plays?

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

      Take him out for monreal

    2. Jose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Keep

  8. timmmuh
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who to captain? I've literally switched 8 times in the last 2 days:
    A) Hazard - is there a risk he skips one or plays significantly fewer minutes?
    B) Jesus - track record?
    C) Alonso - differential but maybe also a playing time concern if Chelsea clinch tonight
    D) Kane - matchups aren't great
    Thanks!!!

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

      Jesus out of those

    2. Darklord_bg
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Jesus of those

      Don't you have Sanchez?

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

        No eriksen/hazard/sane/king/kante

  9. pedro-tacuara
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Do you think Pullis will imitate the strategies seen in recent weeks to completely drain Hazard's influence? If so, and Chelsea still win, he's probably not gonna play in the second fixture. KDB a better option then? With Aguero back, im also uncertain that he will be near the box enough. Maybe a cheeky punt on Sané?

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

    Bottomed, rp
    Final question :
    A) Kosc -> Kompany
    B) Kosc + King -> Yoshida + Sane (-4)

    Really think Sane can get haul with his performance vs Cry last week..
    Put the trigger on B or play safe on A?

    1. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Sane stats at home are dire

  11. Chucky
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Was the PL ever won on a Friday?

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

      asking for a friend...

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

      In Hawaii I'm sure it has 🙂

    3. Chinchinnati
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal 1989, beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield with iconic Brian Moore "It's up for grabs now!" commentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAZK5PpOZOQ

  12. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who are you captainin?

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

      Costa...

    2. Darklord_bg
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez

    3. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Fabregas

      1. Gooner97
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        No Haz?

    4. Astronautovic
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Jesus

    5. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Jesus sanchez didn't really do much besides one decent strike

  13. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I cant wait for the deadline so i dont have to (over) think anymore, my head hurts....

    1. DaveZubie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Good thing about Friday deadline - can't spend all tonight thinking this over.

  14. NevilleSouthall
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Im chasing so is it madness To triple captain De Bruyne?

    Other options on my team are Sanchez, Jesus, Hazard & Costa.

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

      Decent shout.

    2. RealSocialDads
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not madness at all

    3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not imo

    4. Da Funk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I have the exact same dilemma with those players. I've swapped multiple times between KDB & Jesus and i still don't know who to put it on!

    5. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not madness at all , especially as a chaser
      Go .... gl

  15. Darklord_bg
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard&Gabbi to Jesus&Sane for -4?

    Thanks.

  16. greghammer95
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I reckon Alonso is going to write his name in Fantasy folklore tonight. Brace & a CS. He's then going to go from Fantasy Gold to Fantasy GOD on Monday with another goal and CS. 35 points from a defender? Yes please. Captain Alonso LETS GOOOOOOO

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

      I think I'm gonna captain him also. Just hope that he plays at home after they likely clinch tonight. I'm not sold on Jesus as captain.

  17. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Blind >

    A. Yoshida
    B. Jones
    C. Holding

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A if you have Monreal

      1. Venom Snake
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I do.

        Cheers!

  18. DAN DARE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    £0.0 itb. Eriksens sv being exactly the same as Silva's cv feels like a sign. Only problem is that it would leave me with no Spurs cover. Do I do it?

    1. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I personally wouldn't

    2. Darklord_bg
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No

  19. Knowledgeable meerkat
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Is henessey > Cech worth a hit?

    1. Dutte
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

  20. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on Caballero - is he worth bringing in for a hit? I currently have Hennessey playing instead vs Hull

    1. Dutte
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

  21. Viper
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Mustafi a good alternative to Monreal?

    Rival has Monreal so want to avoid if possible

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Y

  22. Whazza
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Is this Holding guy worth getting in??

  23. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Any Huth news?

    1. DaveZubie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      The Huth?
      The Huth?
      The Huth is on fire!!

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

    Huth + Ozil -------> 4.1 def + KDB???

    What ya think?

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Holding maybe

  25. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Team linked - QUICK POLL for -4 hit

    Hennessey and Gabriel OUT for Holding and....
    A
    Cech
    or
    B
    Willy

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Cab

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

    Hazard+Capoue+Gabbiadini >
    KDB+Pedro+Anichebe

    -8 yay or nay ?

  27. Bonus magnet
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Sane (TC) locked in

    you only live once; whats the fun if you cant take a big risk all season

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Fair enough. Gametime would worry me. He missed out last time aguero & sterling started together. He did have more shots than anyone last game though.

    2. Darklord_bg
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Good luck, it's a big risk indeed.

  28. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Koscielney:
    (A) Keep
    (B) Holding/Monreal/Mustafi - which one?

    1. Lizard Lips
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      (C) Kompany

  29. krishgorwani
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    a) gabriel to gibbs for free
    b) gabriel,eriksen to monreal, sane for -4
    c) gabriel, king to monreal, albrighton for -4

  30. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Any changes worth making lads? Team at the mo (with BB, BANK = £0.1m, 1FT):

    Pickford Caballero
    Monreal Alonso Trippier Benalouane Stephens
    Sane Sanchez Alli Capoue Hazard
    Gabbiadini Costa Jesus

    Maybe dump Trippier and/or Benalouane?

    Or make a sacrifice to get Kane in?