Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 27

Money saved through strong value picks across defence and midfield help some big-name players from the midweek Scout Squad article make the cut for our Gameweek 27 Scout Picks.

One of them is this season’s runaway success story between the sticks – David De Gea (5.9).

The Manchester United stopper visits Newcastle having scored 22 points more than any other Fantasy Premier League (FPL) keeper. He has racked up 15 clean sheets – three more than nearest rival Thibaut Courtois. Only Swansea City’s Lukasz Fabianski (99) has made more saves than his 85, though De Gea’s save percentage of 82.4% is again, top-ranked.

The Spaniard’s prospects for further returns look strong at St James’s Park as the Magpies have the joint third worst home attacking record, scoring just 11 goals.

Three sub-5.0 priced defenders grace our selection, with Moritz Bauer (4.5) looking strong value for the visit of a Brighton side that has the Premier League’s worst goal tally on the road (six). The right-back has impressed going forward since arriving at the bet365 – his six chances created is joint top among defenders over the last four Gameweeks.

Charlie Daniels (4.7) also offers us the prospect of points at both ends when Bournemouth visit a Huddersfield Town. His attacking talents could be unleashed in a wing-back role with Steve Cook thought to be back in contention following his hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the Terriers match Newcastle’s poor home scoring tally of 11, with just a single strike recorded from their last six matches.

We didn’t have quite enough in the bank to afford Swansea’s Alfie Mawson (5.1), but we think his slightly cheaper team-mate, Kyle Naughton (4.5), will be a more than able deputy against Burnley. The full-back scored in the emphatic 8-1 FA Cup replay victory against Notts County and is the top ranked Swans defender for chances created with 11.

Naughton also has strong clean sheet potential given that the Clarets’ recent woes on their travels. They’ve scored just three goals in their last six road trips, with only Brighton and Watford netting fewer.

Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (7.3) is handed a spot even though he has let us down over the last two Gameweeks, registering just a single point against Bournemouth, while missing out at Watford on Monday night.
Missing out due to “fatigue” at Vicarage Road according to the troubled Antonio Conte, the wing-back will be expected to return for West Brom’s visit on Monday night.
The top scoring defender, Alonso boasts 43 points from his previous five Stamford Bridge outings and scored 14 points at The Hawthorns in Gameweek 12. Meanwhile, Alan Pardew’s Baggies have scored just three and shipped ten in their last six away days.
Our bargain-hunting in midfield supplies Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri (6.1) with another call-up.

The playmaker has impressed since Paul Lambert took charge of the Potters in Gameweek 24, registering a goal and an assist. Only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard have produced more than Shaqiri’s eight key passes over that three-match spell.

In addition, his set-piece delivery could be vital against a Brighton and Hove Albion defence that has conceded more goals from corners (12) than any other side.

Everton’s Theo Walcott (7.3) – who scored a brace in his last home match – looks likely to reward our faith for the visit of a Crystal Palace side that has conceded in each of their last four away trips.

Claiming his regular midfield berth in the Picks, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (10.4) opened the gap at the top of the FPL overall points table with a brace against Spurs last weekend.

The Egyptian has only failed to deliver attacking returns in two of his last 17 Gameweek appearances. He will face a Southampton defence with just one clean sheet in their last 13 at St Mary’s. Salah scored 16 points when the two sides met at Anfield back in November.

With just two of his nine goals at Stamford Bridge, we have swerved Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard (10.7) for the Baggies’ visit. Instead, we’ve handed a spot to his new team-mate Olivier Giroud (8.2).

Following his cameo off the bench at Watford, we anticipate the Frenchman will earn his first start since sealing his move from Arsenal. In his 17 appearances this season he has scored a goal every 100 minutes, having struck every 99.5 minutes in 2016/17.

Harry Kane (12.8) will go into tomorrow’s early kick-off in the north London derby on the back of exceptional home form. No player has had more shots (91), or more penalty area efforts (55) on home turf than the Spurs striker, with ten goals from his 13 Wembley outings.

He also boasts a superb record against Arsenal, with six goals in as many derby appearances. Meanwhile, the Gunners will arrive at their rivals having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight matches.

Another shoo-in is Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (11.9), who hosts a Leicester City side that has shipped 20 goals and earned just two clean sheets on their travels.

The Argentine has been unstoppable at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 11 goals – a league-high he shares with Salah. He’s netted 10 times in his last six home outings in all competitions and on Saturday will bid to score in seven successive home matches for the first time in his City career.

Burnley’s Ben Mee (4.9) takes a place on our bench ahead of a trip to Swansea. Promising attacking statistics, coupled with the hosts’ lack of cutting edge at the Liberty Stadium, make him a viable option in an encounter that could end goalless.

Over the last six Gameweeks, the centre-back has recorded six penalty area shots – only Brighton’s Shane Duffy can match that among defenders. Meanwhile, the Swans have only managed to score 10 goals on home turf this season, with only Burnley themselves recording fewer (nine)

A goal and assist against Chelsea earlier this week earns a substitute’s role for Watford’s on-loan winger Gerard Deulofeu (6.0). He travels to a West Ham backline that last earned a clean sheet way back in Gameweek 18.

The final bench spot goes to Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson (6.0), who faces a Huddersfield Town defence that has shipped a league-worst 11 goals over the last four Gameweeks. Over that same period, the in-form Cherries striker has earned two goals and as many assists. Wilson also fired a hat-trick and delivered a season-high 17 points against the Terriers back in Gameweek 12.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 26 is PKW, who has opted for a 3-5-2 line-up of: Fabianski; Coleman, Shawcross, Smalling; Salah, Sterling, De Bruyne, Willian, Walcott; Kane, Wilson.

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

1,072 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Based on a very good eye test on Monday thoughts on Lingard -> Doucoure for an FT, good fixtures and no blank in 31.

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Have Watford definitely no blank?

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

        No, Liverpool in 31 and Palace in 35.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Well Watford players are a shoe in then.

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

      You want to sell Lingard before Newcastle?

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

        Mr 2 pts Lingard ?

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

          Scored 30pts in 5 weeks for me before I sold few weeks ago

    3. @sund1ata
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Lingard for NEW.

  2. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go for this GW?

    Pickford
    Alonso - Jones - Otamendi
    Salah (c) - Son - Martial - Lingard - Sterling (vc)
    Kane - Wilson

    Elliot - J.Ayew - Dunk - Simpson

    1 FT; 0.6 ITB.

    1. Andy1
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I hope so. I have 10 of your starters

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

    Cant deside on Kenny replacement..
    Its between Bauer and Naughton. I have to do it tonight before Kenny drops.

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

      Bauer for BGW31 also Swansea literally haven’t kept any cleans apart from against Liverpool recently.

  4. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Should I shift Son or Lingard for Walcott?

    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard

    2. @sund1ata
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lindgard

    3. toerag
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      lingard

  5. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kiko >> Fernandez
    B) Lingard + Kiko >> McCarthur + Van Dijk (-4)
    C) Save

  6. Heavy Data
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Giroud captain as an out of nowhere punt. Saying for a friend.

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      GL

    2. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I hear you brother

  7. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? Change benchorder/captain?

    Ederson
    Alonso Jones Daniels
    Salah (VC) Sterling Pogba Shaqiri
    Aguero (C) Firmino Vardy

    Subs: Gomez Carroll Goldson

    1 ft 1.7 itb

    1. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero to Giroud and captain

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Haha! Yeah ill pass

        1. *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          bookmarked (smiley face)

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Haha!

      2. toerag
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        hmmmm

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      GTG

  8. fussballstadion
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Best option to play:

    Vbertonghen (ARS)
    Ogbonna (WAT)
    Dunk (stk)

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

    Pogba > Walcott this week?

    Pogba hasn’t delievered in 3 weeks now and fixtures turn next week when I would get rid anyway?

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

      You not prefer an Arsenal mid? Coming into form.

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

        Already got Mkhi but benching him this week!

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

          You deserve that he punishes you

  10. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    RP who to captain this GW?

    A) Kane

    B) Aguero

    C) Salah

    1. @sund1ata
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Probably going with Salah.

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah had the armband on him last GW it stays on him

    2. toerag
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      b

  11. Hairy Potter
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Mourinho never won at SJP long may it continue!

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Amen!

  12. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    RMT.

    Adrian
    Valencia Jones Mee
    Salah(C) Sterling Pogba Shaqiri
    Kane Aguero Wilson

    (Elliot, Mili, Daniels, Mbemba)

    Good to go?

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep looks good

    2. toerag
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      indeed

  13. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Help please. I'm planning to get Mhiki in after the next two tough games but need to free up cash or downgrade someone. 1 FT and 0.2 ITB.

    A - G2G this week so save?
    B - feel free to suggest a move...

    DDG
    Ota - Alonso - Jones
    Salah (c) - Shaq - Sterling - Lingard
    Kane - Firm - Wilson

    Speroni - Richarlison - Ogbonna - Kenny

  14. FPL Nut
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play ?

    Maguire ( Away to City )
    Schindler ( Home to Bournemouth )
    S Ward ( Away to Swansea )

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

      Ward imo

    2. @sund1ata
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Ward.

  15. adam28193
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    evening lads!

    Help please?

    Foster (Speroni)

    Otamendi Alonso Mee (Ogbonna Kabasele)

    Sterling Lingard Salah (C) Shaqiri (RLC)

    Wilson Kane Aguero

    2 FT should I:

    A: Lingard > Walcott
    B: Kabasele > Baeur/Fernandez
    C: Both

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

      B to Bauer as he has no blank.

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

    Who to captain?
    A - Aguero
    B - Sanchez
    C - Salah

    1. toerag
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      a

  17. toerag
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Evening all

    A. Giroud

    or

    B. Lukaku

    TY

  18. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Foster
    Otamendi Jones Alonso
    Salah Shaqiri Walcott Lingard
    Kun j Ayew Kane

    Mee Bauer Surman Elliot

    0.3itb
    Any objections or amendments?
    Cheers

  19. T Money
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    No idea what to do!

    Adrian-pope
    Azpi-Jones-Ota-ward-Daniels
    Sterling-Salah-Richarlison-Shaqiri-RLC
    Kane-Firmino-Vardy
    2ft 0.4itb

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Rumour has it that Richarlison may be a sub but this is only pure speculation...

  20. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one

    a) Otamendi
    b) Mee
    c) Bauer

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

      That's a tough one, probably Mee.

    2. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Funny got all of them
      Mine:
      Ota start
      Mee first sub
      Bauer second sub

    3. toerag
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      mee

    4. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      b

  21. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    First sub?

    A) Carroll

    B) Ogbonna

    C) Kenny

  22. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Anything need sorting here?

    Hennessey
    Alonso Otamendi Mawson
    Salah Sterling Son Walcott Shaqiri
    Kane Wilson

    Speroni Ogbonna Dunk Dcl

    0FT 2.2 ITB

  23. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1:

    A) mee
    B) Daniels
    C) stones
    D) son
    E) B.Silva

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      a

  24. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with this lot? 2 FT 0 ITB!

    Pickford
    Azpi Otamendi Jones
    Sterling Salah Hazard Mkhitaryan Lingard
    Kane Wilson

    Elliot Mee Dunk Ladopo

    Thinking of taking Otamendi out for a cheapie and putting Mee in the 11!

  25. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    DDG
    Alonso Maguire ogbonna Duffy mbemba
    Salah hazard Sterling lingard
    Wilson firmino aguero

    1 FT, 0.5 ITB

    Save FT?
    Captain who?

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Personally l would upgrade defence a bit without spending 0.5m, perhaps Bournemouth/Burnley/Liverpool nailed starter

  26. janowsc
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Heys guys, got 2ft and no clue what to do...thoughts? 0.2 ITB Cheers!
    Fab
    Ota Jones Alonso (Lascelles, Kiko)
    Shaq Salah Gross Sterling (RLC)
    Kun Kane DCL

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

      Could you do DCL to Wilson?

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        be a few bob short

        rlc to someone? kiko out?

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

          yeah, probably gonna be a boring transfer this week and save a FT

      2. janowsc
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Would have to use 2ft

  27. Jape
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts? On WC atm. Should I downgrade Mawson to Simpson? Upgrade who?

    Lossl
    Alonso / Jones / Mee
    Salah / Sterling / Shaq / Walcott
    Kane / Firmino / Ayew

    Fabianski / Mawson / Millivojevic / Daniels

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

      Don't like Swans double up. Can you afford:
      Lossl > Hennessey
      Mawson > Maguire?

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

        Yep can afford that. You don't think Simpson would be the better LEI pick?

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

          Certainly a nailed value option into their defense. Only suggested Maguire as he is a broadly similar option to Mawson in terms of goal threat and BAPs.

          Where would you use the £1.2m?

  28. FPLHaggis
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Evening all - Good to go lads? 🙂

    Pope (Elliot)
    Alonso Jones Francis (Kenny Ogbonna)
    Hazard Salah Sterling Lingard (Allen)
    Kun (c) Firmino Wilson
    0.7itb
    1FT

  29. @sund1ata
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Help. . .

    Pope
    Otamendi Jones Daniels
    Salah Sterling Wishere* Lingard
    Firmino Kane Aguero

    Adrian Martina Milivojevic Rosenoir

    Wilshere to ?

    a. Deulofou
    b. Shaqiri
    c. Other?

  30. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think it's safe enough to play Christensen with Mee as a 1st sub? Or there's a chance that Conte gives him a 10-20min cameo?

    1. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      With his recent record there's every chance he plays a cameo!

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You're not familiar with Christensen then??

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

      There is no pain like unrequited love.

      Apart from owning Christensen.

    4. TheRealDog
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'd start Mee