Scout Squad

The Scout Squad – Gameweek 19

Charlie Austin as your first-choice striker? We’ve got a Scout for that. All four doubling up on Man City midfielders? Check. Kyle Naughton? Yep, even he gets a mention.

Our panel of ‘experts’ has either been on the Christmas sherry or their festive forecasting comes with genius included.

We’ll find out once Gameweek 19 kicks off on Friday evening, but only after they’ve bickered long and hard about who’s going to be playing up front, as Austin squares up to Sergio Aguero, Romelu Lukaku and even Alexandre Lacazette for striking duties.

Elsewhere, there’s a uniformity of opinion about goalkeepers, defenders and the midfield, with the only bone of contention likely to be how many Man City men they can squeeze into the middle.

We’ll be back to find out the exact make-up of the Scout Picks later in the week, so for now here are their longlists and the reasons behind them.

 

PaulJontyMarkPeter
GoalkeepersDavid de GeaAdrianAdrianFraser Forster
AdrianNick PopeJulian SperoniBen Foster
Fraser ForsterDavid de GeaFraser ForsterNick Pope
DefendersNicolas OtamendiNicolas OtamendiNicolas OtamendiMarcos Alonso
Marcos AlonsoMarcos AlonsoMarcos AlonsoScott Dann
Phil JonesArthur MasuakuAngelo OgbonnaAaron Cresswell
Arthur MasuakuPhil JonesPhil JonesKieran Trippier
Kyle NaughtonScott DannScott DannVirgil Van Dijk
MidfieldersRaheem SterlingRaheem SterlingRaheem SterlingRaheem Sterling
Mohamed SalahKevin De BruyneKevin De BruyneMohamed Salah
Kevin De BruyneMohamed SalahMohamed SalahKevin De Bruyne
Paul PogbaPaul PogbaWilfried ZahaMarko Arnautovic
Marko ArnautovicBakary SakoMarko ArnautovicWilfried Zaha
ForwardsSergio AgueroRomelu LukakuCharlie AustinSergio Aguero
Alexandre LacazetteRoberto FirminoHarry KaneRomelu Lukaku
Charlie AustinCharlie AustinSergio AgueroCharlie Austin
Roberto FirminoGlenn MurrayRomelu LukakuRoberto Firmino
Glenn MurrayAndre GrayGlenn MurrayGlenn Murray

 

Peter Says…

My Merseyside selections came through last weekend, together with a certain Mesut Özil, but not so my confidence in Manchester United’s rearguard or in Leicester City’s ability to see off Crystal Palace. This week, we’re once again spoilt for choice in midfield, but very limited further forward.

Intriguingly, six of the bottom seven play each other this weekend, with only poor Bournemouth off to the Etihad for a match which will see those with several City assets licking their lips in anticipation.

Trebling up on one team’s strike force always seems a bit risky, but many managers are doing just that with the Citizens and I can’t resist either. Enter Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling with no further explanation required.

Stoke City vs West Brom is a difficult match to call, but Palace and West Ham have the form to prevail over Swansea City and Newcastle respectively.

Wilfried Zaha and Marko Arnautović have posted some very impressive attacking statistics recently, while Scott Dann and Aaron Cresswell are relatively inexpensive and fall into the clichéd “could deliver points at both ends” category.

I anticipate that Paul Pogba’s return may further boost the fitful re-emergence of Romelu Lukaku as a decent option, although the Belgian has some work to do to justify his selection this week.

Indeed, I’m struggling to identify stand-out striker options, although I do fancy Charlie Austin to take advantage of a Huddersfield defence which has been as leaky as any team, except for Stoke, over the last six.

Notably, I’ve left Harry Kane out despite Burnley’s defensive absentees. I got away with “dropping” him last week for that tricky trip to the Etihad, but previously left him out when he notched a brace, so take from that what you will…

Jonty Says…

Manchester City’s home tie with Bournemouth burns like a shining beacon across the Gameweek 19 fixture list. With 32 goals scored at home – 10 more than any other team- and just seven goals conceded, a triple-up looks a must.

Given Gabriel Jesus and Aguero are continuing to tussle for one central forward role, I’m backing a midfield partnership of their top scorer Sterling and creator in chief De Bruyne.

At the Etihad, the Belgian has seven assists and has found the net three times, while Sterling has seven successful strikes and has been provider on two occasions. The word ‘essential’ barely does this duo justice for this Gameweek.

With just five goals on the road for Eddie Howe’s troops, Nicolas Otamendi earns top billing among my defenders.

Another theme of my selection is a shift in power from forward positions to midfield.

Seven of the top ten Fantasy Premier League points scorers are midfielders, while Kane is the only forward representative and even he is being outscored by another of my picks, Manchester United stopper David De Gea.

As a result, I’d like to see Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who has scored 20 in all competitions this season, once again earn a place for his side’s trip to Arsenal.

The Red Devils’ returning midfielder Pogba is another shoo-in for me. He is averaging seven points a game, which makes his current 7.9 price tag perfect for our 84 million Picks budget.

I’ll be strongly arguing to shun Kane for the second week in a row. His trip to a Burnley side that has only shipped three goals at Turf Moor means that the Spurs man’s 12.8 price tag simply cannot be justified. And ditching him from the Picks means there is plenty of cash to spend on luxury items in midfield.

For value, I like the look of Watford’s Andre Gray up against a Brighton defence without their suspended centre-back Shane Duffy.

Crystal Palace’s 4.9 midfielder Bakary Sako is another enticing budget enabler. He is expected to deputise for the suspended Christian Benteke up front, and travels to Swansea in search of his third goal in a row.

Paul Says…

Man City are obviously going to be prominent part in our starting XI for Gameweek 19. Right across every outfield position, Pep Guardiola’s side offer up strong candidates.

Of my four picks, Aguero has lacked form – with just a single goal in his last four league outings – yet looks very likely to be named on the teamsheet after Jesus played 120 minutes against Leicester on Tuesday night.

The Cherries have conceded more shots inside the box (52) than any side over the last four Gameweeks to boost Aguero’s case.

Elsewhere in attack, Alexandre Lacazette, Austin, Roberto Firmino and Glenn Murray are all among the top forwards for expected goals in our Members’ area across the last four Gameweeks.

West Ham’s resurgence under David Moyes should continue at home to Newcastle.

Three successive clean sheets suggest that backing Adrian or Arthur Masuaku could be the smarter move, particularly as the absence of playmaker Manuel Lanzini could be an issue in the final third – he has assisted all of their last four league goals, after all.

Nonetheless, I’m keeping faith in Marko Arnautovic on the back of two goals and 11 efforts in the box in the last three Gameweeks. He faces a Magpies defence with one clean sheet in 14 league matches.

Mark Says…

Two Man City midfielders look inevitable, but even though Aguero looks the most likely to lead their attack, I’d still prefer to have Otamendi’s clean sheet and set-piece goal threat in our Picks. Aguero’s recent form has hardly been that convincing.

That means that Austin is all set to lead a two-man strike force in what should be a 3-5-2 formation.

The Southampton striker has the fixture to warrant inclusion, but the fact that he figures so highly in my selection reflects the scarcity of options available. Nothing against Charlie, but even he would be surprised to be keeping the likes of Kane, Lukaku and Aguero in the corner.

Kane is still a factor for me, but I doubt very much I’ll win that argument.

James Tarkowski’s absence will hit Burnley hard: he has been their key defender to this point and, while their defensive record is strong, they have conceded more shots from outside the box than any other side in home matches (61).

Kane will only need a few sighters to punish them if that continues. I fully expect another double-figure shot count from Harry on Saturday and a healthy number of saves from Nick Pope.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 17 will be THFCLIFE, who is in his third season and finished in 12,207 spot in his first campaign.

The Community Champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2017/18 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Gameweek 18’s champion Powell comprehensively beat the Scouts 70 -48, but even that wasn’t good enough to oust Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.

800 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    captain Sterling (often looks rubbish but gets the goals) or KDB (often looks amazing but might only get a few assists!)

    Thanks

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Only Sterlings finishing is rubbish, otherwise he's great

    2. Fpldonny
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Sterling rarely looks rubbish tbf, both good shouts.

  2. King Kohli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Captain:

    A. Sterling
    B. Salah

    1. BigAsGiroud_
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      a

  3. WesMantooth
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    How reliable are the news that Silva is back in manchester?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      I can't imagine that Pep would have played Gundogan for 120 mins midweek if he wasn't expecting Silva back.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        You never know with pep who else could he play anyway ?

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          Fernandinho / Fernando

          1. I Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 10 months ago

            - Don't think Pep planned to play any of his players for 120 mins.
            - Fernandinho is a more important player than Gundogan and is one yellow from a suspension.
            - Fernando doesn't play for Manchester City.

  4. BON
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Speroni
    Otamendi Jones Ogbonna
    Hazard Salah Sterling Richarlison
    Kane Morata DCL

    Hennessey Surman Gomez Zanka

    Morata > Aguero (c) for free?

    1. Going Home
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Like it - have a plan to move back or to Lukaku soon though as Kun can be frustrating as hell to own (Kun owner)

  5. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Austin and DCL rotate amazingly, Kane and those 2 up front with an expensive midfield sounds like the way to go

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Saints are terrible

  6. Botman and Robben
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    2FT and 0.5 ITB

    A, B or C for tomorrow afternoon? Or better moves?

    A. D.Silva + Vardy -> Sterling + Firmino
    B. D.Silva + Vardy -> Sterling + Austin
    C. D.Silva + Vardy + Kabasele -> Sterling + Firmino + Ogbonna for a -4

    Fabianski
    Jones Otamendi Monreal
    D.Silva Hazard Salah Richarlison
    DCL Kane Vardy

    Elliot Kabasele Mee T.Carroll

  7. Dr. DOOM
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Pope
    Jones-Otamendi -Christensen
    RLC-Richarlison-Salah-Hazard-Sterling
    DCL-Kane

    Elliot Naughton Long Morata*

    1Ft 0.3itb
    What to do here?

    A. Morata-Kun
    B. Naughton -Masuaku
    C. Save

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      How can you afford A? I would do B anyway

  8. Bellerinmondo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Leon Britton caretaker Swansea manager. Think I may get rid of Naughton after all...

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      explayers who get promoted tend to do alright, Monk, Howe..

      1. Bellerinmondo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Unsworth though

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Has Wenger said anything about Giroud?

    1. CL4PTRAP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Last I checked he is out for the next few GWs. Laca may actually see 90 mins.

  10. machickenz
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Player order and captaincy correct? G2G?

    Courtois
    Alonso Otamendi Jones Naughton
    Hazard(c) Salah Sterling(vc)
    Kane Firmino DCL

    Sub: Elliot RLC Cork Mbemba

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Play RLC over DCL and captain sterling

  11. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Kane>Kun -4?

    1. Going Home
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      No. Never

      1. Nolberto Solano
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Not for a hit

  12. CloudSky
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    So Taylor, Mee, Long, Bardsley against Big Ol Harry. Last chance Saloon (for the 6th time).

  13. jamie1972
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Choupo out the picture now or a chance he'll start?

    (5th mid and looking to lose him next week but the Morata ban may bring that forward for a -4)

  14. maxy111
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think of Schindler from GW 20?

    1. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Put him on your list

      1. maxy111
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        He is on my list..that's why I ask 😀

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Good cleanie shout this week tbf

  15. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Who will score more in next 3/4 weeks:

    A sane and rotate Austin/DCL (-4)
    B morata and rotate RLC/DCL

  16. MFC86
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Carroll to sterling
    Morata to Austin for free?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Thinking of something similar and looks good for this week. Just concerned that morata will do well in gw20 and 21 and Austin’s fixtures are awful after the weekend

      1. MFC86
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah good point and would have to take a hit to get Morata back

  17. Pierce34
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Who do you think is likely to score more - Tottenham (at Burnley) or Chelsea (at Everton)?

    1. Matt Sk
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Chelsea imo

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Spurs

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Everton will definitely score more than Burnley,

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Chelsea I think

    4. Pierce34
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks all.

  18. Don Kloppeone
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Convince me of the right move!? I'm already on -4 and my gut says stick....

    A) Kane, Carroll >> Austin, De Bruyne
    B) G2G

    0FT (-4pts) £0.6itb
    De Gea
    Alonso, Otamendi, Smalling, Ogbonna
    Sterling (C), Salah, Hazard, RLC
    Kane (V), Firmino

    (Elliot) (DCL, Carroll, Duffy)

    Cheers!

    1. fattfattygavgav
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      go with your gut

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Leave it.

  19. Matt Sk
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Morata out for 1 gw, no problem with RLC stepping in 😉

  20. fattfattygavgav
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Help much appreciated;

    1FT, 0.7 ITB

    Foster
    Christensen, Mee, Otamendi
    Hazard, Salah, Sterling(c), Gross, RLC
    Kane(v), Morata

    Elliot, DCL, Kenny, Duffy

    A. Morata > Lukaku
    B. Morata & Gross > Ausin & KDB -4
    C. Morata & Gross > Gray & KDB -4
    D. Hold and play DCL v Chelsea

    ???

    Thanks

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      D for me. Keep Morata and play DCL

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      D

  21. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Fabianski to Adrian a good move? (In light of Clements sacking) Not bad rotation with Elliot

    1. damiang2233
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Why would you get rid of 3 highest scoring keeper??

      1. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Swansea's fixtures and form is poor to say the least. Inexperienced caretaker boss now as well.

        1. damiang2233
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          Ya there form may be bad and they might concede often but he is still the 3rd highest scoring keeper!! As pointed out below Adrian has more competition and I can see Hart regaining his spot eventually!!

    2. fattfattygavgav
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Joe Heart might play the odd game or even regain his spot, that's what puts me off.

  22. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    My team is:

    Foster (Elliot) Kenny, Mawson, Kabasale, Kolasniac (Hunemeir)
    Sterling C, Hazard, Salah, Richarlison (Carroll)
    Kane, Murray (Morata)

    I have two free transfers, only 0.1 in the bank. I'm thinking Kola and Mawson to:

    A: Jones and Christensen
    B: Otamendi and Masuaka

    Which would you do?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      A

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

    2. damiang2233
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Probably A

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  23. raoulduke71
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    a) Smalling & Richarlison >> Creswell & Pogba
    b) Coutinho & Richarlison >> Pogba & Sane/Dsilva
    c) Stick

    Pope
    Otamendi Jones Smalling Christensen
    Sterling Salah Coutinho Richarlison Hazard
    Kane (DCL)

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Stick.

    2. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Thats a wild structure. Way too much funds in defence, for me

    3. TheAdder
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Stick, one of the best teams Ive seen.

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Tbh you have 11 great players, the changes are probly going to score similar to each other

    5. raoulduke71
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers guys, probs stick but I want pogs in asap

  24. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Sorry not fantasy football related but similiar 🙂

    In a last man standing competition and I have used all the big six plus leicster but not sure for this week. Was thinking
    1. West Ham
    2. Huddersfield
    3. Crystal Palace
    4. Everton (Risky)

    Thoughts? Much appreciated!!

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      What exactly are you asking? Best team this GW? Best team for the remainder of the season? Best player to have from these teams?

      1. damiang2233
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        Best team that will win this gameweek.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          Hammers imo. But check bookies odds.

    2. RealSocialDads
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Go for West Ham

  25. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Anything on David Luiz? Still tempted to go into Saturday with only 3 fit defenders

    1. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Still out.

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 10 months ago

        good news for Christensen and Azpi then. Now to hope Jones is fine to start

        1. CloudSky
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 10 months ago

          Didnt play in the cup, should be fine.

  26. wulfrunian
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    AGray or Abraham only for this gw?

    1. fattfattygavgav
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Gray

    2. Matt Sk
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 10 months ago

      Tough one, probably Abraham if Gray was at home it would be him

  27. LIARS POKER
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    1 ft, am I better off with doing

    A) Morata -> Firmino then reversing the transfer next week
    B) Playing Mustafi (LIV)

  28. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Mariappa or Long for Bench fodder?

  29. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Any goss from the press conferences ?

  30. InSaneMan-e
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 10 months ago

    Having taken a -4 for Kola + Gross--> Masuaku + Pogba, do you think another -4 is worth it for Morata -->Kun. Have no city assets so kun would probably be captain.
    Alternatively if I hold Morata RLC plays then DCL then Holgate