Scout Squad

The Scout Squad – Gameweek 25

The magic of the FA Cup is back in its false-bottomed box, next to the rabbit and the pack of marked cards, leaving us to enjoy three straight Gameweeks of unadulterated Fantasy bliss.

We start with two nights of midweek action involving plum home ties for Man City and Chelsea, while Spurs entertain Man United to cool most, if not all, of the interest in assets from that particular pair.

Our ‘expert’ panel of Fantasy Football Scout regulars Mark, Paul and Jonty and Career Hall of Fame luminary Peter Kouwenberg have all spent big on the stars from Pep Guardiola’s and Antonio Conte’s teams, requiring more budget-friendly picks across midfield and at the back.

Among the bargain buys being mooted are Southampton, Crystal Palace and Stoke City players, with the latter’s home match against Watford promoting the stock of Xherdan Shaqiri and even sparking a rare Scout Squad mention for Mame Diouf and a possible Picks debut for Moritz Bauer.

We’ll be back to unveil who makes the final Scout Picks team on Tuesday, leaving you with the thoughts behind the Scouts’ initial selections in the meantime.

PaulJontyMarkPeter
GoalkeepersAlex McCarthyKarl DarlowJack ButlandNick Pope
Nick PopeAlex McCarthyAlex McCarthyKasper Schmeichel
Jordan PickfordAdrianKarl DarlowKarl Darlow
DefendersMarcos AlonsoMarcos AlonsoMarcos AlonsoNicolas Otamendi
Nicolas OtamendiNicolas OtamendiNicolas OtamendiNacho Monreal
Maya YoshidaLaurent KoscielnyMaya YoshidaMarcos Alonso
Ben MeeMoritz BauerNacho MonrealMaya Yoshida
Moritz BauerMaya YoshidaVirgil Van DijkBen Mee
MidfieldersMohamed SalahMohamed SalahEden HazardRaheem Sterling
Eden HazardEden HazardRaheem SterlingEden Hazard
Raheem SterlingMesut OzilMohamed SalahMohamed Salah
Son Heung-minXherdan ShaqiriXherdan ShaqiriRiyad Mahrez
Xherdan ShaqiriRiyad MahrezBakary SakoAlex Iwobi
ForwardsSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio Aguero
Harry KaneRoberto FirminoHarry KaneJamie Vardy
Roberto FirminoAlexandre LacazetteRoberto FirminoHarry Kane
Christian BentekeJamie VardyJamie VardyRoberto Firmino
ChicharitoHarry KaneMame DioufChicharito

 

Peter Says…

Subject to FA Cup exertions, I’m inevitably drawn to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea host a Bournemouth side which has conceded more goals (12) than any other team over the last six matches.

And then there’s the Etihad Stadium, where a somewhat more obdurate West Brom defence will be sorely tested by the top home scorers in the league (42 goals).

I also fancy post-Sanchez Arsenal to overcome Swansea City after my Forest team kindly provided them with a welcome break over the FA Cup weekend, but anticipate that I may face accusations of chasing last week’s points by selecting Nacho Monreal.

Despite the Swans’ success last Monday, only four teams have kept Liverpool at bay this season and I don’t fancy Huddersfield to become the fifth.

I’m confident daddy-Klopp can prevail against mini-Klopp and that the former’s fab three (including Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino) will be firing on all cylinders once more.

With some highly predictable names already in, the more interesting task is padding the squad with some players from the lesser lights of the Premier League.

In the hunt for clean sheets, I call in at St James’ Park and St Mary’s Stadium to pick up some budget defensive players.

Brighton are also potentially vulnerable to set-pieces, bringing Maya Yoshida into my thoughts if he can reclaim his starting berth.

Meanwhile, with the joint highest headed attempts for defenders (15), I’m getting tired of listening to the phrase “Ben Mee heads just over” and hope that he will finally break his scoring duck.

Jonty Says…

Contrary to popular belief, Sergio Aguero was heavily backed by the Scouts last Gameweek ahead of his hosting of Newcastle.

Mark, Paul and I all listed him as second choice in our striker selection behind Harry Kane, who was facing a Southampton side he scored a hat-trick against over Christmas.

In the end we left the Argentinian marksman out due to price constraints, but following his treble against the Magpies, I’ve promoted him to top choice this time around.

Kane earns a cursory last place mention. His home encounter with a Manchester United side that has kept a record 14 clean sheets this season should see him miss the cut.

In fact, the Spurs striker only sneaks a mention due to the lack of other credible striking options this Gameweek.

In contrast, there looks to be a wealth of strong midfield prospects, which makes me think a 3-5-2 formation may be required.

Shaqiri looks to offer good value in the centre of the park in a new-look Stoke City attack. Over the last two Gameweeks, only Kane has had more on target shots than the Swiss mini-maestro.

I’m also backing the Leicester City attack to get the better of Everton at Goodison Park, with Big Sam’s defensive bus currently failing it’s MOT.

I’d like to see one of Riyad Mahrez or Jamie Vardy included, with the Algerian my preference. He’s scored three goals over the Foxes’ last six road trips, while Vardy has contributed just one.

Eden Hazard’s five goals in six appearances against Bournemouth makes him a shoo-in when the Cherries drop by Stamford Bridge. Mr Consistency, Marcos Alonso, is another essential Blues pick as he looks to deliver points for the ninth Gameweek in a row.

In addition, there looks to be some strong budget options at the back to consider, among them Southampton’s Yoshida.

The centre-back’s set-piece threat is clear. He’s scored both his goals from corners and fired off 16 close-range efforts this term, which will come in handy against a Brighton side that remains fragile from dead-balls.

Paul Says…

As usual, I’ve scoured for some differential picks as budget options to go along with the usual big-hitters.

At home to a Brighton side that’s failed to score in their last six road trips, Southampton’s defence could be worth backing.

Costing just 4.4, Alex McCarthy has started the last four Gameweeks and is a cheaper option than the fit-again Yoshida if we’re struggling for budget.

All five of the Saints’ league clean sheets have arrived with the Japan international in their XI, and his return to action helped them to a 1-0 FA Cup win over Watford at the weekend.

Stoke have the chance to register a second straight win under Paul Lambert as Watford make their way to the bet365 Stadium in midweek.

The Hornets have two goals in their last five on the road, which could bring new right-back Bauer into contention at 4.5.

Handed his debut in Gameweek 23, the Austrian is ranked second among defenders for key passes (three) in the last two rounds of fixtures. As ever, the creativity of Shaqiri will be vital, while his close-range goal threat caught the eye last weekend – all three of his efforts against Watford were inside the box and on target.

Elsewhere, I’d be reluctant to overlook the Spurs attack at home to Man United at Wembley – the Red Devils may have served up four clean sheets, but no side have allowed more shots inside the box (36) over that period.

If there’s no space for Kane, Son Heung-min – with a goal in seven of Spurs last eight in their temporary home – still merits consideration.

Goals could be on the menu as West Ham and Crystal Palace’s injury-hit squads collide at the London Stadium.

With the hosts’ options up front limited, Chicharito now looks a secure starter and found the net against Bournemouth in the previous Gameweeks.

Yet – against the odds – it’s Christian Benteke who is the in-form striker for this one. The Belgian has one goal, three assists and 21 FPL points in his last three road trips.

Mark Says…

With Aguero re-established as a sure-fire selection for Gameweek 25, it seems we’re destined for a big spend up front.

I’m still advocating Kane as his partner. For me, United’s defence continues to ride its luck, giving up too many shooting opportunities in the box. Even if we look at just the last two matches (both clean sheets), they’re ranked third behind only Everton and Southampton for penalty area shots conceded.

If Mourinho’s backline allows Kane some sighters, I think he’ll punish them. Much has been made of the difficulty of this fixture, but he scored in the corresponding match-up last season and I think he can repeat that.

I have a feeling that I’m going to get shouted down and, once again, it will be Roberto Firmino who joins team-mate Mohamed Salah in our selection.

I’ve not changed my views here – Liverpool have struggled both against Swansea and West Brom and, for all their frailties, Huddersfield also fit the profile of a team that will sit back and demand that Klopp’s men have the craft to unlock them. Liverpool will need an early goal, or I fear the points on offer could disappoint again.

I’ve ranked Firmino third in my striker selection but, ideally, I’d like to limit our XI to include just Salah.

If we do spend big, I think we’ve got enough cut-price options to fill the gaps. Stoke look destined to be well represented with Shaqiri looking a certainty in midfield. I’m even putting Mame Biram Diouf forward as an option for our third striker.

I’ve also stuck Bakary Sako in there. I see some joy for Palace at West Ham in a clash of two teams ravaged by injuries and a lack of confidence.

Sako has been started up front with Benteke for the Eagles and, over his two starts, he has fired six shots in the box – matching Salah and Anthony Martial as the top two FPL midfielders for that statistic.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 17 will be Pras United, who is in his eighth season and has finished in the top 10,000 twice.

The 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 24’s champion Tommo1888 beat the Scouts 68-57.

The one to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.

3,441 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    1.6 in the bank what do I do?

    Otamendi Jones Mee Gomez (Ogbonna)
    Son Salah Sterling Lingard (Arnie)
    Kane Firmino (Quaner)

    A)Save transfer
    B)Son>Mahrez
    C)Arnautovic+Ogbonna>Mahrez+Mbemba for -4

    1. Kanteisking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Save

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

    Is Milovojevic a valid 5th mid to start most weeks? Decent form and fixtures.

    A) Yes
    B) No
    C) Other

    1. Kanteisking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Short term yes won’t last

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

    4. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Reported

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

        Lolz.

    5. Bragazeti
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      My team is kind of wrecked that he may even be my 4th mid

  3. Kanteisking
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Do I do Shaq -4 or play Ogbonna

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      no hit

  4. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    What's the most you'd pay to watch football? Tempted to get a train to London, watch Chelsea vs Bournemouth and get a train home again which would cost like £110 overall to watch a football match on my own. Not sure if it's worth it

    1. Kanteisking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Get Hazard in, put the armband on him then go watch the game

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Zero

    3. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I don’t think that’s mental including your travel for example. I was always looking at £100-£150 days out for Celtic games.

      I’m in Barcelona when the second leg against Chelsea and the cheapest ticket I can get is £160, up in the gods, need 2 tickets so will find a decent bar and watch it there for a fraction.

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        that's the problem with Spanish football, the away fans get really shafted with seats in the top tiers

    4. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Paid about 500 all in to see Sunderland at Wembley in 2014. Occasions like that, I'd probably go up to a couple of thousand.

  5. 1314
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Maguire or Monreal ?

    1. Kanteisking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Monreal

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Monreal but personaly I would go with VVD

  6. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Hi

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yo!

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      morning!

  7. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Which transfer worth doing??

    A. Son & Arnie >> Hazard & Shaqiri
    B. Kane & Arnie >> Aguero & Hazard

    1. Kanteisking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      S

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        A 🙂

  8. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Wild card thoughts ... what do you guys think?

    Adrian / Elliot

    Otamendi / Robertson / Jones / Bardsley/ mbemba

    Sterling / Martial / Salah / Willian / Iwobi

    Kun / Kane / Ayew

    1. The special 5
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Is Willian back??

    2. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      wow, no from me! and that’s from a person that doesn’t have Kane and Salah and them along with Kun, Ota and Jones are the only positives I can see, sorry

  9. The special 5
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Any Willian updates

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Not yet

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

    Best pair

    A) Hazard, JAyew -4
    B) Walcott, Lingard
    C) Pogba, Lingard
    D) other nailed 9.4 mid + Lingard

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Other mids Salah, Sterling, Mahrez

  11. Urchin
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Lanzini to sako helps me keep Kane Kun and Alonso, but gives me a midfiled of Salah Sterling Choupo Atsu & Sako.
    Worth it for free?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      No

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Choupo, Atsu and Sako! 😮

      1. Urchin
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        🙁
        Move abandoned, thanks guys

  12. drughi
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Which option ? my defence is frail so think I need to focus on that maybe

    A. Arnie and Klavan > Choupo-Moting and Monreal
    B. Arnie and Klavan > Choupo-Moting and Christensen
    C. Arnie, Lingard and Klavan > CM, Milivojevic and alonso -4
    D. Arnie, Lingard and Son > Shaqiri, Hazard and milivojevic -4

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Like C

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      C
      Alonso is a must

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah maybe he is but not comfortable with CM and mili as fourth and fifth mids really, lingard have huddersfield after spurs

  13. mdm
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to play:

    A. Depoitre (LIV)
    B. Kenny (LEI)
    C. Fraser (che)

    Thanks!

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A.

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Not much diference
      A

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

      B or C. A will get you 1 point max. Completely incompetent.

  14. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1

    A. Jones
    B. Dunk
    C. Mee

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      C

  15. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Kane > Kun
    Arnie > Milijovejic

    The 4 pt hit will be repaid in no time

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      B for free only

      1. FPL_Hazards
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Disagree.

        Saves £0.1m, and means don't have to play 1 pt Depoitre

  16. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Gw29 onwards I’ll be all over Arsenal assets such nice fixtures until seasons end.

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Aubameyang 🙂

  17. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Bench two:
    A) Vertonghan
    B) Mee
    C) Dunk
    D) Wilson

    Thanks 😉

    1. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Bench A and C if you can

  18. MGD
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Pope - Elliot
    Otamendi - Jones - Christensen - Masuaku* - Mbemba
    Salah - Sterling - Eriksen * - Arnautovic * - Lingard
    Kane - Firmino - DCL*

    0,5 ITB 2 FT.

    Okay guys, here are my options for -4.

    A) Eriksen + Arnautovic + DCL -> Aguero + Albrighton + McArthur/Milijovic

    B) Eriksen + Arnautovic + Masuaku -> Albrighton + 8.2 + Alonso

  19. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    G2G? 1 FT but wasn't too Dave... If Masuaku will hold for another few days

    DDG
    Alonso, VVD, Stones
    Salah(vc), Sterling, Pogba, Son, Lingard
    Kun(c), Firmino
    (Elliott, Kenny, Mcburnie, Masuaku)

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      *want to save

  20. MarvelouSuccess
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Aubameyang deal done according to media. Aubameyang in next week anyone?

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      £10.5m I reckon

  21. rjcv177
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Morning guys,

    A) Arnie to Shaq
    B) Kane+Arnie to Haz+Vardy (-4)

    (Son and Kane doubleatt)

    thk in adv

  22. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Start Guddy or Mili?

    Schmeichel (Adrien)
    Alonso Mustafi Mee (Martina SCook)
    Oxcham Salah(c) Sterling Milivojevic (Gudmundsson)
    Kane Firmino Aguero(v)

  23. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    I was adamant that Kane would never leave my squad short of a serious injury....
    But I could do Kane and Arnie to Hazard and Firmino for free.

    Hmmm.

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Chelsea coming up to a crazy run of fixtures (Barca x 2 + both Manchester clubs)

      Hazard will likely see some resting before the block

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I did the exact same last night. for a hit. Will swap back in 3 gws

    3. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking of the same moves since the beginning of the week. Still cant decide

  24. Mr-Inbetween
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Play Pope or Adrian?

    1. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Pope - easy

  25. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Play Jones or Ogbonna?

    Jones is a rank protecter as most will have a Utd defence, and the bus will be parked,

    But Ogbonna has a good chance of a clean since Palace don't do goals

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      everyone does goals against West Ham though

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

      Play Jones.
      I may have to play both sadly!

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Palace have blanked 1 in the last 9 PL games - v MAC, and then they missed a pen

    4. Bragazeti
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Play Jones

  26. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Was just reading back through the frisking the fixtures article. Would it be possible to use sou or sot as an acronym for Southampton instead of sto as that gets quite confusing with stoke (stk) :/

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Huh? Who uses STO as Southampton acronym?

    2. Bragazeti
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I think you read it wrong

  27. Man Chest Hair United
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    On wc any changes needed

    Pickford Coleman

    Alonso Jones Stones Christensen Simpson
    Salah Hazard Sterling Mihki Ibe
    Kun Vardy Quaner

    I have exact money for Hazard to Sanchez next week.

    Thoughts on stones Christensen and Mihki?

  28. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Does City and Chelsea qualification in FA cup have an impact on the PL fixtures?

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      @bencrellin

  29. George James
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? cap and bench order look alright?

    Pickford
    Azpil / Mee / Mustafi / Jones
    Salah / Son / Allen / Sterling
    Kane / Kun (c)

    Pereria / Niasse / Ibe / Masuaku

  30. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Hi, what to do with Lingard?
    A. Hold
    B. Replace with Shaq/CM/Allen
    Thanks.