Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 26

The emergence of a host of strong value forward options has prompted us to opt for a 4-3-3 set-up for our latest Scout Picks selection – a rarity in recent months.

There’s also savings to be made at the back, with Crystal Palace stopper Wayne Hennessey (4.3) beginning the trend. He sets us back just 4.3 ahead of Newcastle United’s visit to Selhurst Park.

Since cementing a starting berth in Gameweek 21, the Welshman has earned two clean sheets and we reckon a third will be forthcoming against a Magpies side that has struggled to find the net in recent weeks, scoring just four in their last six outings.

Marcos Alonso (7.4) continues his long stint in the Scout Picks, despite failing to reward our faith last time out when Chelsea crumbled 3-0 at home to Bournemouth.

That blank was his first since Gameweek 16 and we are hoping for a return to more productive ways for the left wing-back when the Blues visit Watford on Monday night.

The Hornets have conceded more goals (25) at home than any other side this season and haven’t scored in their last three matches in all competitions. The Spaniard, meanwhile, has scored at least six points in each of his last four away trips.

Phil Jones (5.7) is another Scout Picks stalwart that endured a disappointing Gameweek 25 when he scored an own goal during Manchester United’s 2-0 away defeat to Spurs.

Huddersfield’s visit to Old Trafford looks an ideal opportunity to restore confidence in his stock.

Jose Mourinho’s troops have the league’s best home defence, with a record nine clean sheets and the lowest number of goals conceded (five).

The Terriers have scored just three goals from their previous seven matches, creating just five big chances over that period – fewer than any other side on both counts.

Charlie Daniels (4.7) is auditioning to become a regular pick ahead of Bournemouth’s strong run of fixtures. That starts on Saturday with a home tie against Stoke City.

Although the Cherries have kept just two clean sheets at home, we are hopeful they can keep the Potters at bay as the visitors have failed to find the net in three of their last four road trips.

With nine Premier League goals since Eddie Howe’s side were promoted from the Championship, the left wing-back also gives us the chance of precious attacking returns.

Our final defensive berth is taken up by Leicester City’s Harry Maguire (5.5), another who offers broad points potential. This season the centre-back has racked up two goals and four assists. He’d also secured three straight clean sheets prior to the Foxes’ 2-1 away defeat at Everton.

Maguire entertains a Swansea City side that has struggled for goals on the road.

Home wins over Liverpool and Arsenal have caught the eye. But away from the Liberty Stadium they have fired just 32 shots from their previous four away trips, second lowest behind Everton’s tally of 27.

Alexis Sanchez (11.7) earns a first Scout Picks mention as a Manchester United player, with the Huddersfield visit providing the perfect opportunity for the former Gunner to deliver a big score.

The Terriers have conceded 12 goals over their last four matches, while in his final four outings for Arsenal, the Chilean scored three times and also notched an assist.

Relentless consistency makes it impossible for us to leave out Liverpool winger and FPL top points scorer Mohamed Salah (10.3).

He has only failed to register a goal or assist once in his last seven starts and while Spurs are expected to provide a stern test at Anfield, the Egyptian has already scored against the London side in Gameweek 9’s reverse fixture.

Strong recent away form and Watford’s poor home defence earns Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard (10.7) the final place in our heavyweight midfield trio. The Belgian has scored three goals and won two sets of maximum bonus from his last two away days.

Up front, Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson (5.9) and West Brom’s Jay Rodriguez (5.5) provide excellent value.

The Cherries marksman has four goals and two assists in his last six league matches and hosts a Stoke side that has shipped a league-high 30 goals on the road.

Claiming more than 117,000 new FPL managers, Wilson is the most bought striker in the transfer market this week.

Baggies forward Rodriguez is also in a rich vein of form, with two goals and an assist in his last five.

He now faces former club Southampton who have shipped eight goals in their last four away trips.

This penny-pinching means we have enough to bring in Sergio Aguero (11.9) for Manchester City’s visit to a Burnley.

The Argentine boasts nine goals from his last eight matches in all competitions and has hit six in his last four encounters with the Clarets’ defence.

Brighton defender Shane Duffy (4.6) takes a bench spot ahead of a visit from a West Ham outfit that looks set to struggle for goals without the injured Marko Arnautovic.

His 19 shots this season, the joint fourth best among defenders, means that the imposing centre-back also offers us the chance of points in the opposition’s box, with his first Premier League goal long overdue.

Three of the Seagulls’ four home clean sheets have come in their last six Amex Stadium matches, with Crystal Palace, Burnley and Watford unable to breach their rearguard.

Junior Stanislas (5.9) was another Cherries player to impress at Stamford Bridge in midweek, matching Wilson’s goal and assist returns. He earns a place on our bench for the visit of Stoke, having produced a 13-point return in the reverse fixture in Gameweek 9.

Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy (8.6) is unlucky to only make the bench as he has three goals in his last four league run-outs. He takes on a Swansea defence that has shipped goals in each of its last nine away fixtures.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 26 is Tigerite, who is in his twelfth season.

He has opted for a 3-4-3 line-up of: Cech; Alonso, Daniels , Smalling; Martial, Sterling, De Bruyne, Mkhitaryan; Vardy, Wilson, Aguero.

Gameweek 25’s champion, Pras United, beat the scouts 54-46.

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

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.

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

1,237 Comments Post a Comment
  1. the axolotl
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    marquee transfer alert. RLC to McArthur. i can barely contain myself

    1. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      2 fts?

      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        yep. nothing else too urgent and no money

  2. Edge
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Rivals have Aguero, similar league positions.

    Captain -

    A) Aguero, play it safe
    B) Kane

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Too early to worry about the oppo. I have both Kun and Kane and am seriously considering Kane.

    2. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      kane is a perfectly good shout, could be a goalfest that game.

      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        kane got 16pts in reverse fixture

      2. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yes,and it will be really nice to watch that game with captain, just can't decide between Salah and Kane

    4. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

  3. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    GTG or take a hit to remove one of Masuaku/Kenny (thinking Mawson or Ake) - I have to do it at some point and given Mee is playing City it seems a decent week to just get it done...

    Cheers

    Ryan
    Ota Mee Jones
    Salah Sterling Son Choupo
    Kane (c) Aguero Wilson

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, burnley will almost definitely concede. Be balllsy and go for mawson. Could even score

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

        I have a gut feeling about Mawson. Attacking returns in the last two suggest the new manager is encouraging him to get forward.

        1. Sharkytect
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Will just be more fun than knowing mee will get 2 points max

          1. Art Vandelay
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            That is how I see it.

            It is actually for a -8 but I am happy to assess hits independently and I had 5 non-starters going into the GW.

    2. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Transfer out ur 5th mid

  4. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Fabianski
    Jones, duffy, otamendi
    Sanchez (c), salah, sterling, groß
    Kane (vc), wilson, firmino

    Speroni, ibe, ogbonna, christensen.
    0FTs. 0.0itb.

    Any hits or changes required?

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Medium term I would be looking to move on Grob, but a solid team an no need for a hit. Maybe consider Ibe ahead of the Grob.

  5. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know what happened to Danny Simpson last game? I thought he was going to start but he wasn't even on the bench.

  6. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    All the hype is around Ayew, anyone thought about Diouf?

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not the worst option, but Stoke lack goals. If you can't afford Wilson, I prefer Ayew.

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Swansea have lacked goals all season, but has their new manager turned things around?

        1. Prøfeßör …
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          He seems to have turned things around defensively but that's about it.

        2. Art Vandelay
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I think so. He seems a good laugh their new gaffer and I think he has breathed fresh life into them. Strong fixtures too.

  7. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Guys,can you suggest best 4.5-4.8 priced defender?TIA

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Bauur

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry??????

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Daniels

    3. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Charlie Daniels, Joe Gomez

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Having shaqiri in my team.so guess no point in taking Daniels dis week..what about Duffy???

    4. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Dawson

    5. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Daniels, Bauer or Hegazi.

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Bauer???

        1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          In which team???

          1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            stoke

  8. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    G2G Or w/c time

    Courtois
    Otemendi Ogbonna Alonso
    Sterling Lingaard Salah Shaqiri
    Kane Ayew Aguero

    Subs-Elliott Milivojevic Zanka Long

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't wildcard that.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I think he's asking whether to use his WC to update that team, not bring it in. That's how I read it, at least.

        1. It's his Job.
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Correct sorry guys

          1. jdp219
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            I feel your pain. I get that every time I mention WC here, when all I'm trying to ask is whether there are moves to make that would mean the WC a worthy move.

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Why on earth would you wildcard!? Gtg

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Courtous Alonso Elliott Long Ogbonna?

        1. Sharkytect
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Alonso will bring big returns. One game without a cleansheet shouldn't mean sell. Courtois will get cleanies and has good fixtures. Ogbonna is good bench fodder.

      2. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Many thanks. I went on holiday last week so i was out of touch and thougjt my team may have needed updating throughout with all the new transfers. It seems i was wortying over nothing as it still looks ok.

  9. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Advice please!

    A) Jones and Choupo (3-5-2)
    B) Wilson and Mee/Ogbonna (Planned switch to 3-4-3, Choupo 1st on the bench)

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I would stick with A for now.

  10. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Anything worth a hit

    Pope
    Jones alonso Duffy
    Son Mkhitaryan salah sterling Shaqiri
    Kane firmino

    Elliot ogbonna mee quaner

    1. PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Save

    3. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No. Looks decent.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers guys

  11. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who prevails this weekend: Me or rival?

    Me ==
    Fab
    Azpi, Ota, Duffy
    Son, Sterling(c), Salah, Mili, Lingard
    Kane, Firmino

    Rival ==
    Schmeichel
    Valenica, Ota, Alonso
    Sterling(c), Pogba, Lingard, Salah
    JRod, Wilson, Vardy

    1. AndyCook
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Would rather have rival but not by much.

      • PocketZola
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Him

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Second go if you will forgive me.

      Right to bench Shaq over Lingard/Wally?

      Poor planning and I had to get Wilson 🙂

      My dislike for JLing might blind me into a bad decision!

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yes think I would bench Shaqiri

      2. PvA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I would play Shaq over someone else if you can

        1. barracuda
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Hello mate, can't believe you are back 🙂

    3. YouReds
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Last week or two have been a struggle but just about holding onto top20k

      What’s your advice on moves here?

      DDG (Elliot)
      Oti Jones Ogbonna (Christ Mbemba)
      Salah Sterling Lingard Shaqiri Mahrez
      Firmino Kane (Quaner)

      2.4itb 1FT

      A) Mahrez > KDB
      B) Mahrez > Hazard
      C) sort Christensen out as well for a hit
      D) Mahrez > Walcott

      Seems like a lot of potential options

      1. YouReds
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Alonso and Walcott ?

      2. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        A and Christensen to Daniels

        1. PocketZola
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          A

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kiko fit yet? Manager say anything? Anything at all? Or have Watford sold him to Billy Smart Circus already?

    5. cjhewitt92
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Danilo to Mawson thoughts

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Y

    6. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Captain one:

      A) Kane
      B) Salah
      C) Sterling
      D) Alonso

      Cheers

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        A

      2. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        C

      3. FPL Ultras
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        C

        1. PocketZola
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Salah

    7. makaveli70
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      who will scoor more
      1-sterling
      2-salah

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        1

      2. mookie
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        1

    8. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Is it a ridiculous gamble to captain Wilson?

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe not.

      2. mookie
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        He's a good choice this week.

      3. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        no

      4. Reuser
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        If he was priced at 10.0m, this question probably wouldn't be asked much.

        Having said that, Stoke's defence is more resilient now. But he is probably as good an option as any of the leading contenders.

    9. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Courtois
      Smalling, Dunk, Gomez
      Sterling, Pogba, Hazard (C), Son
      Aguero, Vardy, Firmino

      Good to go?
      What do you think about captaining Hazard?

      Thanks guys!

    10. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Well done Ogbonny,Bardsley,Kiko,Carroll,Miloli and Henno/Speroni owners.. huge green arrow incoming for these super value pick owners...

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        😆 😆 😆

        Wow, which duffer has those duds 😛

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          He is not a dud,that's for sure... still in the top 50k... 😉

    11. slamdunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Who to captain?

      A-wilson
      B-salah
      C-kane

      Many thanks

    12. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Was Stanislas injured or just rubbish for a while?

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Injured

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks Barra

      2. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        In the general Stanislas trend you'll probably get three more games out of him before he's injured again. Cracking player when fit.

    13. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Hi all! Is there a way to import fpl data like price and points per game to excel?

      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        yes. smartypants does it for fpl discovery. dunno how tho

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Oh thanks anyway. I will try do it by myslef somehow.

    14. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Will lingard start tomorrow?????

      1. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Love to know this. I don't think so personally

    15. AndyCook
        6 years, 1 month ago

        WC team:
        Pickford, Periera
        Alonso, Jones, Mustafi, Robertson, Chilwell
        B Silva, Sterling, Salah, Walcott, Milivojevic
        Kane, Aubameyang, Wilson

        How is it? Not that bothered if Aubameyang benched as Milivojevic has a nice fixture.

      • Doylaz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Adrian (Speroni)
        Alonso Jones Otamendi Mee Kenny
        Salah Sterling Lingard Shaqiri Richarlison
        Kane Firmino Depoitre

        1.0m itb 1FT

        A. Richarlison & Depoitre —> Walcott & Ayew (-4)
        B. Save FT
        C. Any other suggestions

      • konrad.sygula95
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Hi guys this is my WC draft, what do you reckon ? any ideas what should i change ?

        Pope/Adrian
        Daniels/Rosenior/Bauer/Jones/Laporte
        Salah/KDB/Tadic/Chopo/Ibe
        Kane/Aguero/Quaner

        Thanks for opinions in advance !

        1. AndyCook
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Laporte a rotation risk, Heaton coming back, midfield a bit weak for me and would want Ayew or Wilson over Quaner.

        2. FPL Ultras
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Captain?

          A) Hazard
          B) Aguero
          C) Vardy
          D) Sterling

          1. barracuda
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Sanch 😀

            1. FPL Ultras
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Got Pogba from Utd.

        3. OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Who to get instead of Mahrez ?

          A- Martial
          B- Pogba
          C- Walcott

          1. Prøfeßör …
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            C long-term.

        4. E25
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Bench one
          A) Lingard (HUD)
          B) Shaqiri (bou)
          C) Wilson (STO)

          1. E25
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Correction :
            Bench one
            A) Lingard (HUD)
            B) Shaqiri (bou)
            C) Wilson (STO)
            D) Son (liv)

          2. I Member
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            B

          3. Prøfeßör …
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            B or D.