Scout Squad

The Scout Squad – Gameweek 28

Four of the Premier League’s top six go head-to-head in Gameweek 28, prompting our Scouts into the biggest money-saving drive since West Brom’s warm weather training camp in Barcelona.

Premium defenders have been snubbed as our ‘expert’ team of Fantasy Football Scout regulars Mark, Jonty and Paul and Career Hall of Fame luminary Peter Kouwenberg aim to splash most of their cash on big-name midfielders and strikers.

The unanimous first choice at the back is the relatively pricey Virgil van Dijk, but there’s also agreement that Leicester is more and B teams – Burnley, Bournemouth and Brighton – are A-okay.

Mohamed Salah gets the nod in midfield because Mohamed Salah, while Christian Eriksen, Theo Walcott and Riyad Mahrez all jostle for a place next to the Egyptian deity.

There are uniform thought processes going on up front as well, mostly involving Harry Kane, Roberto Firmino and Jamie Vardy.

In fact, the Scouts’ selections are so similar that the discussions over who will make the final cut are likely to be more cordial than a bucket of orange squash.

We’ll be back later in the week with the Scout Picks article, but for now you can see for yourself just how a hive mind works with the team’s selections and justifications below.

PaulJontyMarkPeter
GoalkeepersNick PopeMat RyanMat RyanNick Pope
Mat RyanAsmir BegovicNick PopeAsmir Begovic
Kasper SchmeichelLoris KariusBen FosterBen Foster
DefendersVirgil van DijkVirgil van DijkVirgil van DijkVirgil van Dijk
Ben MeeBen DaviesBen DaviesShane Duffy
Shane DuffyHarry MaguireHarry MaguireHarry Maguire
Charlie DanielsShane DuffyBen MeeJonny Evans
Ben ChilwellStephen WardCharlie DanielsBen Mee
MidfieldersMohamed SalahMohamed SalahMohamed SalahMohamed Salah
Christian EriksenChristian EriksenRiyad MahrezRiyad Mahrez
Raheem SterlingRiyad MahrezChristian EriksenChristian Eriksen
Theo WalcottMesut OzilGerard DeulofeuJunior Stanislas
Jose IzquierdoGerard DeulofeuTheo WalcottPascal Gross
ForwardsHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry Kane
Roberto FirminoRoberto FirminoJamie VardyRoberto Firmino
Jamie VardySergio AgueroRoberto FirminoJamie Vardy
Callum WilsonJamie VardyCallum WilsonSergio Aguero
Troy DeeneyCallum WilsonOumar NiasseTroy Deeney

 

Jonty Says…

With a number of top of the table sides colliding, this week looks a poor one to be investing in premium defenders.

Luckily, there are plenty of cheaper options at the back with strong clean sheet potential.

Brighton hosting Swansea City puts Mat Ryan (4.5) and Shane Duffy (4.6) in my thoughts.

I’d like to see one of them included as Brighton have four shut-outs at the Amex stadium and the visitors have created a record low number of chances on the road (61) while scoring just nine times, the fourth lowest tally in the league.

At 5.5, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk also offers compelling value for money ahead of West Ham’s visit to Anfield, particularly as he is joint third for goal attempts (five) among defenders over the last four Gameweeks.

I’m keen for us to splash out on a Liverpool attacking double-up of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Between them they have delivered eight goals and four assists over their last five league run-outs.

I’d also like to see a pairing of Spurs assets Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen for their trip to a Crystal Palace side that has conceded nine in their last four.

I’ve swerved the big names from Chelsea’s away encounter with Manchester United for fear of a drab 0-0 draw.

However, I think Manchester City’s trip to Arsenal looks to be full of goals with both attacks offering up options.

For the visitors, I’d like to include Sergio Aguero, who has six goals in seven away starts, if money allows.

And for the hosts, I think Mesut Ozil looks the man most likely to be involved in goals, after netting three times and assisting a further four in his last seven home matches.

Peter Says…

Very unusually for me, nearly all of my midfield and attacking selections (even Javier Hernandez) provided returns last time, with James Ward-Prowse and Callum Wilson the only exceptions.

In contrast, it was a horror show at the other end of the pitch, with only Lukasz Fabianski salvaging anything from my eight defensive choices.

This Saturday, the main footballing action will be at the Hendon Football Centre in Barnet for the Simon Humber Fantasy Football Cup, and I make no apologies for plugging our Just Giving charity page once again.

Moving to the Premier League, this week I have pulled together probably my cheapest ever defensive selection, allowing an expensive attacking choice.

My five defenders share three common traits: they are all at home against bottom half opponents; none are premium price players and they are all in double figures for shots in the box this season.

I am now chained to Ben Mee like The Defiant Ones, knowing that the one week I don’t pick him he’ll finally break his scoring duck. Hopefully, one of Duffy, Harry Maguire, Van Dijk or Jonny Evans can show him how it is done this weekend.

I’ll be doubling up on Burney’s and West Brom’s defence by selecting Nick Pope and Ben Foster to join the wildcard pick of Bournemouth’s Asmir Begovic – rousing names from inspirational teams, for sure.

Picking in-form players from high-scoring teams facing off against defensively frail opponents seems a decent starting point, and so double-ups from Leicester (Riyad Mahrez – toys now back in pram – and Jamie Vardy), Spurs (Eriksen and Kane) and Liverpool (Salah and Firmino) are unlikely to cause many raised eyebrows, although I note that Stoke City and West Ham have shown a little more defensive resilience over the last few matches.

With four attacking spots remaining, I hunted for a suitable combination from Bournemouth, Brighton, Manchester City and Watford and settled upon Junior Stanislas, Pascal Gross, Aguero and Troy Deeney, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see an Everton attacker make the final selection.

Paul Says…

I’m turning to the statistics to seek out budget-friendly alternatives this week, bringing in both Mee and Duffy for the visits of Southampton and Swansea respectively – with 20 efforts each inside the opposition box, their close-range goal threat is bettered only by Marcos Alonso (30) among defenders.

Eriksen and Jose Izquierdo were both featured in our Gameweek 27 Big Numbers article due to a recent upturn in form.

Over the last three Gameweeks, the Dane is ranked top for big chances created (four) and key passes (12) – that’s despite facing Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal during that period. He also warmed up for a trip to Crystal Palace – where he scored last year – by netting in last week’s Champions League draw in Juventus.

Izquierdo gets the nod over Gross for Brighton’s home encounter with Swansea. The Colombian’s improved pitch-time is key here – he’s played 90 minutes in each of the last three Gameweeks and welcomes the Welsh side on the back of successive goals against West Ham and Stoke.

Over that period, Izquierdo is fourth-top in midfield for shots in the box (six), while only Kevin De Bruyne can better him for shots on target (six to four).

I’m also backing Bournemouth to recover from the 4-1 loss at Huddersfield that ended their seven-match unbeaten league run last time out.

Callum Wilson entertains Newcastle in fine form, having supplied 12 points against both Arsenal and Chelsea in the last five Gameweeks.

The Magpies, meanwhile, have allowed more shots (65) and efforts in the box (45) than any other side.

Mark Says…

It comes as a blessed relief to take my eyes off the big picture and long-term planning and focus purely on the next Gameweek.

Perhaps there’s something in that.

Initially, things looked problematic and, given how the Gameweek 28 fixtures fall, I have ended up overlooking big names and loyal servants like Man City, Man United and Chelsea, purely because their match-ups are so difficult to call.

But Friday’s Picks won’t be short on talent and it’s again refreshing to give some plucky differentials an airing.

Kane and Salah remain present and correct, but if I have my way, they will be rubbing shoulders with Mahrez and Gerard Deulofeu – two silken-skilled and overlooked midfield craftsmen.

Somehow a Liverpool player soars to the top of my defensive pecking order, though the Anfield resilience and van Dijk’s set-piece threat can justify that.

Below him there’s room for at least one or two more leftfield options, with Maguire and Mee my favoured centre-back stoppers should we deploy a back four.

Much as I’d have liked to promote my own Charlie Daniels, I just couldn’t let my bias promote him above that pair.

Mee gets a leg up as uncertainty builds on Nick Pope’s start in the light of Tom Heaton’s return to training.

Pope gets another call-up in my 18, but only just – Mat Ryan is my preferred option in goal.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 17 will be davidoff7, who is in our Live Hall of Fame top 50 after climbing to 132nd in the overall rankings this season and finishing in the top 10,000 four times.

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 27’s contender, PKW, was beaten 71 -54 by the Scouts.

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

1,644 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Mourinho out.

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

      this

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

    This game needs VAR for some excitement

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Dabber can't even get a game off the bench anymore

  4. rakdaddy
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Rmt is saying to play richarlison instead of Shaqiri. My gut feeling says shaqiri. What you guys think.

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      RMT gets biased by old data and performances that are now redundant. I’d always go with your gut. I think Shaqiri too.

  5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Has this ref got really bad positioning? Always seems to be stuck in a group of players

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      The game's moving too quickly for him.

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

    Oops....

    Oh ya boy, Irn Bru are doing it again with there advertising.
    If you'd like me to link some of their crackers, I'd gladly do so.

    The new one (bearing in mind it's in a Glasgow accent) is based round the can of Irn Bru.
    'don't be a can't, be a can!'

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

      I’m Northern Irish so I’ll easily be able to understand the accent

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

        Wouldn't be allowed on BBCcockney for sure. 🙂

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

    Lingard given a full rest ahead of Chelsea on Sunday.

  8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Utd to nick it 1-0 now counter attack goal

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

    Screw this Im away to watch Spider-Man 3.....
    Yes it’s that bad!

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Mourinho the enemy of football claims another innocent victim.

  10. The HurriKane
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any rises/falls predicted for tonight, guys??

      1. The HurriKane
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I know but I can´t see right there, eheh

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

    DDG 437th save

  12. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Handball Lukaku

  13. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Donkey goal disallowed

  14. tm245
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba, nicely done.

  15. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    LOL

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

    I’m not a Man U fan and I don’t particularly like how Mourinho comes across a lot of the time, but all this bitching about Utd’s performance tonight is hilarious.
    Sir Alex loved nothing more than a tight away leg in Europe, sitting back and playing on the counter just like this team. But with rose tinted glasses on his teams were always winning games 4-3 with the winner coming in the 96th minute. Just didn’t happen as often as people like to think it did.
    United nick a goal in the last ten here and it’s a ‘classic’ away performance in Europe.

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

      Yes SAF did play like this away in Europe. Consistently, and especially in the group stagegs. But at least he had a good go every single time, home and away in the prem and at home in the CL. Mourinho plays like this EVERY SINGLE GAME. Its not a specific tactic for certain games, its his MO.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        This.

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

        Fair point if it’s like this most games, don’t see enough of them to know, but it’s a good result for tonight nonetheless.

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

      SAF might have set up for tight performances but i don't remember his sides giving up so many shots/opportunities etc.

      Jose talks this result up and then they'll get knocked out on away goals at OT

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        They concede lots of shots in the PL too. The narrative is that they have a great defence but they really don’t. They simply have a world class keeper.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      442 was big in UK during SAF's era, which made it easy to be attacking and dominate possession. The 3-CM European teams made that difficult imo.

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

        barca doing okay with 442

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Not really an Enhlish 442. Paulinho tucks inside to form a central 3.

    4. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Couldn't stand the bloke but he would never rely on a keeper to save their skin.

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

        The Great Dane?

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

          But they had good players who could score and entertain..now they just have machine in the net. Nothing more

  17. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Everton flop to get the winner?

  18. djapebronx
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    A) Robertson and Mahrez or
    B) Van Dijk and Siggy?

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

  19. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Just fire Mourinho already. Id rather have some attacking manager who places us mid table than this insufferable dullard.

  20. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Where's my Marlos assist?

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

      Tough call between those 2, Eriksen feels like a safer move (if there is such a thing) despite the probable blank in 31....but Mane is an exciting player to own.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. Yeah I don't have Firmino but if I go Eriksen I will move Kane to Firmino for GW31 and get Kane back on WC. It's a tough one.

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

      Reply fail to Dingo below, apologies.

      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        So you don't know where my Marlos assist is?

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

          Haha, I'm very sorry mate, I have idea where that disappeared to.

  21. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Eriksen or Mane?

    I own Kane and Salah.

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

      Would Mane be your 3rd Pool slot Dingo ? You not been tempted by the Liverpool defence...

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I will probably get VVD for Otamendi this week. So it's either Mane or Firmino.

  22. BucketHead
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Can someone advise me..worth a hit to do Sanchez out for Erickson??

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  23. tm245
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba has been passing well since Martial came on, would be great to see him behind a front three with regularity.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Would play him up front over Lukaku in this form. He has the touch of an elephant today.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Not just today, every day

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

      Go for Davies over Vertonghen with a backline of: Alonso / VVD / Mee / Hunemeier

      Yes or No?

      I would be upgrading Ogbonna and Hunemeier is going to be upgraded into BGW coverage anyway.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yes for me

      2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I think Davies is first choice now but who knows if that’ll stick

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Any chance of Jones price falling or VVD price rising tonight?

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Jose masterclass!

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I’m sick of him

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

          Don't blame you 😆

    5. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      United at it again zzzz

    6. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Evening chaps.

      Whilst you’re all bored from watching United. I could really do with some help.

      A) Aguero and Willian to Firmino and Mane (triple pool attack)

      B) Aguero and Ota to Firmino and VVD.

      C) Same as B plus Willian to Shaq/Delofeu

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

      Have BT Sport been prepped to praise United as much as possible

    8. yanky
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      alonso + lindgard >

      a) Virgil + Erikson
      b) Mane + 5.4m def(?)

      would be for -4pts