Fantasy Football Scout Cup – Third Round Draw

I think it really depends on how the fixtures fall. If Burnley & Swansea have dgws in 34 then there defence looks worth investing.

There are some options like Christensen, Mustafi & Smalling in the 5.0-5.5 but can we be sure they are nailed?

Personally I’m only settled on Morgan right now for my wildcard backline.

Couple of premium defenders and three cheapies to rotate... Currently on:

Otamendi Smalling VDH Lowton Dummett

Alonso Maguire Vertonghen Mee Monreal

Liking the look of mid priced defenders myself. Plus Swansea look a bargain depending on how the fixtures fall.
Maguire, Naughton, Mee/Ward,
Anyone but Christensen as he’s the devil.

There’s not a large number of must-have expensive defenders (above £5.5m). I think Monreal will escape rotation. Alonso isn’t performing for his price, but I have The Fear or removing him that when I do it’ll be the week he next explodes.

Alonso and Bailly

This is the one area of my wildcard squad whichI haven't really formed much of an opinion on yet, as it will be guided quite strongly by the DGW announcement.

Alonso is still the standout I think, but if you can't afford him I'm not sure I would invest in any other Chelsea defenders, they have been quite leaky for some time now. Manchester United defenders I think offer the best chance of clean sheets, but there are rotation concerns there as they have 5 centre backs for 2 positions. My opinion is that Bailly is the best of them, so I would hope he would play most games, but its Mourinho's opinion on him that matters. can any Utd fans shed any light on Bailly and where he lies in the pecking order?

Spurs are a strong defensive team, my pick here would be Davies as I think Rose has talked his way out the club. However the fixtures aren't great. Maybe he would be a better investment for the second DGW? Arsenal I think are a minefield for rotation, I won't be going there unless a pattern emerges - i.e. Maitland Niles plays all the league games for example.

I'm half thinking of holding onto Robertson as I think he is in the top 3 left backs in the league now and offers an attacking threat. I think he plays most games and for his price I think he is good value. Liverpool up to 13 clean sheets this season now too, not far off the top defences.

Bailly and DDG Jose will have them fired up for the remainder of the season

Lascelles offers returns at both ends of the pitch

I will tell you more in a couple weeks but English defenders will be key

alonso lowton naughton monreal robertson is enough for me

I've gone for the Man Utd Triple up for the DGW in the form of DDG, Bailly and Smalling/Jones

My WC will keep VVD and then swap Smalling/Jones ahead of DGW 34 depending on which one appears to be playing. The thought process is to exploit those that only put DDG in and really maximise outpout on MUN clean sheets and also cover any Lukaku points.

This way you can use Lukaku's money to afford players like Alonso and a good 5th midfielder

Best budget options:

Van Der Hoorn, Lowton, Chilwell, Simpson, Morgan, Naughton, Tarkowski, Dummett

Sounds simple I think you have to base it on

A) minutes - Otamendi/Monreal/Robertson for example - All still playing i Europe, Ota could be a huge risk if they win the league in next 2 GW's.
B) CS - Swansea popular, with 9 CS and DGW potential
C) attacking return - Alonso... but that price tag

Some people doing same folly of ignoring Alonso and making themselves feel better with Christense who is plain average fplwise. I think Alonso Morgan one of naughton/ward/mee is shoe in for most. Smalling maybe a risk but will atleast pay off short term

Alonso and 4 others

I'm going double Burnley I reckon, fixtures and price both appeal

English defenders are playing for world cup places and will be in the spotlight

Alonso Christensen VdH Lowton Tomkins

Don’t like double United and think people will swerve Christensen due to previous bad luck. He’s still nailed I think. Worth the punt.

CP also have a good fixture in 34.

Swans and Burnley speak for itself...assuming games arranged as we think.

I think you have to prioritise the midfield as they are bringing in the most points but if you can afford a premium defence afterwards then I do see points in in.

Premium defenders to target: Alonso, Bailly, Monreal

Cheap defenders to target if starting: Robertson Lowton

Bench options: Morgan Swans def

at the moment vdh, lowton, chilwell make most of my squads. its complimented with either alonso, another cheap defender and

All depends on how fixtures falls.

Ask again when we know more.

I'd be tempted to get a couple SGW players. So I can use FH in GW37.
TC might be a cleaver use in BGW35

Again. All depends on fixtures

Working down the list:

City are a no go for me - not great fixtures and potential rotation kicking in
United - De Gea, unless you look for Valencia then the rest are rotation
Liverpool - no Double, Robertson if you can squeeze the funds
Spurs - is like the full backs but they will be rotated. Think revisiting 36 onwards is best
Chelsea - Alonso yes, after that it’s a bit iffy

Arsenal - I actually think that Mustafi is safe. We all know Kosc is the injury prone one, so he will be protected, I can’t see Wenger resting both Kosc AND Mustafi in the league (to save face). Good fixtures and if it doesn’t work out, then at least the home form kicks in.

Leicester - Difficult to pinpoint, its price vs playing time
Burnley - Lowton for the budget
Swansea - if you have Fab is doubling or tripling too much?
Southampton - like last year the Double Double looks on but so out of form.

Currently on alonso, Mustafi, Chilwell, Lowton and one other spot for under 4.8

I don't understand why there's little interest in Vertonghen here. Nailed on Spurs defender, 2 DGWs, bonus potential... what's not to like?

Looking at this for my WC:

Bailly - Christensen/Alderweireld - VDH - Morgan - Lowton

Nailedness and value for your money?
I'd go:
Ederson
Valencia - Alonso - Mustafi