Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 258 – Freebie

Arriving in the midst of a lukewarm Double Gameweek, the latest episode of the ScoutCast is more intent on looking ahead as the entire five-man crew press the button on the Free Hit chip.

We’re back to full strength, as Granville, Jonty, Andy and Az join me to discuss our approach to Gameweek 35’s slimline schedule, inspired by another round of your community questions.

That attacking riches on offer from Manchester City and Liverpool dominate the early chatter, as we give our take on the run-in targets least likely to suffer from rotation to feature for Free Hitters and the “chipless” this weekend.

We then pan for Gameweek 35 gold in less familiar territory, as we re-open the Coleman vs Baines debate ahead of their meeting with a Newcastle outfit perhaps already in flip-flops after four straight wins.

End of season template busters help round things off before we career into the regular weekend preview to offer early thoughts on the Gameweek armband.

This ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Tuesday evening. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link on the first player below, or take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,431 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Whose the best Arsenal player to buy in light of Wenger's comments on playing the team that will start Europa.
    Lacazette, Ozil or someone else?

    1. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      laca

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

      Aubameyang

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I have gone Ozil with some flair forward picks instead.

      Pope
      Otamendi VVD Robertson
      Salah KDB Zaha Ozil
      Perez Tosun Jesus

      I would be tempted by Laca if forwards werent easuer than mids this week.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Or go Welbz or Ramsey

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

        Surely Sterling better choice than Tosun or Perez?

    4. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Laca or ozil

    5. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm on Ozil currently.

    6. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      He did not actually say that categorically.
      He said something along the lines of he might use the game V West Ham as preparation for the Madrid game.

      I'm currently on Auba

  2. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else thinking if switching Salah to Hazard in 37 and then reversing the transfer in 38?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not a single chance

      1. Les Bleus
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        In fact, I’d highly advise against this.

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          5 of the dream team players this week were single gameweek players. But yes get Hazard in...

          1. SAUCY SALAH
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Surely it won't happen again....

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              Every year

              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 6 months ago

                The other side is that DGW players have a higher base score so the risk is less

              2. Les Bleus
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 6 months ago

                And yet we never learn 😛

        2. SAUCY SALAH
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Why? Chelsea 2 home fixtures and Salah 1 away at Chelsea.

          This is assuming for free, and then 38 transfer for free too.

          1. Les Bleus
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Chelsea had two good fixtures this GW and yet Salah pretty much tripled Hazard’s score.

            1. Les Bleus
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              Sorry, matched**

        3. SkeletONv01
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          This 😀

    2. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm not convinced at all with Chelsea. Haz has only 1 goal and 1 assist in last 7 i think.

      DGW just gone Salah got the same score for 1 game than Haz did for 2 (albeit he didn't play 180)

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I did this move last week, regretting it a bit as Haz has only 2points more than salah. Think I'm going to have to stick with him though and get Salah back in 38 as, with European commitments, his minutes are surely at risk now.

    4. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      fa cup muddied 34 though and it won't in 37 and is haz really gonna miss their last home game of the season. I like it

  3. jimmy.floyd
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Please help?
    Lowton Tomkins VVD
    Salah Arnie Tarroll
    Auba Jesus

    DDG Elliot Alonso Maguire Willian Mahrez Wilson

    Sterling worth -8?
    3.7 itb

    1. Les Bleus
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Get Sterling for Mahrez IMO

  4. Thunder Warrior
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why is Sterling more nailed than KDB? Imo KDB will play more games..

    1. Les Bleus
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No one knows really. It’s all just guesswork.

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Everyone's just hoping as he is cheaper and allows to get a more balanced team.

    3. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think they are equally as likely to play but Sterling far more rewarding this season.
      Remember Sterling is 1.5M cheaper, has scored 10 more points from 500 mins less!

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT? Any changes? Thanks!

    Butland
    VVD • Baines • Bellerin
    Salah • Sterling • KDB (v) • Zaha • Arnautovic
    Jesus (C) • Lacazette
    (Speroni / Pérez / Lowton / Long)

    1. Les Bleus
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Wouldn’t want those two Arsenal players personally. Too much doubt over rotation. Rest looks good though.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Auba then?

        1. arndff_
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          He could be a sub at 35.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            That’s why I put Laca in! Who would you go for mate?

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              See convo at top of page

            2. arndff_
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              It's a tough one. I'm on a FH, currently on Laca.

              But in long term, think Auba is a better option. You're on WC, so you have to set your team until the end I suppose.

              Wait for more news.

              1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 6 months ago

                Sorry sorry, this is a Free hit team? Sorry should have been RMFHT 🙂

        2. Les Bleus
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          It’s also a tricky one because he might not start this week.

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Seems odd to risk players when you don't need to.

      Ramsey/ Welbz will surely not start and be saved for Europa as the are both made of glass.

      Laca is the only available striker for Europa. Why risk him?. Seems a unnecessary

  6. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    How important are City assets for GW37? Do we think any will start both games?

    1. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Jesus?

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'll surely be getting 1. Maybe even 2 for a hit. The fixtures are too good to ignore. Even if they play one game, they could haul.

    3. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Pep could want to break some records, so probably yes.

      But there's a lot of time until 37.

    4. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yup. They aren't just going to be at half speed because the league is won. They have records they can still break/set

  7. niloh1
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    whos the best arsenal defender for GW35?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      The one who'll play for sure.

      1. L'Aeroplanino
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        mustafi

  8. Stimps
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    On FH... So I'm on Auba at the moment, change to Lacazette?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Try reading the ongoing threads before posting

  9. Bubz
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    My team is looking pretty alright for not having a FH chip. Got this for -4

    Hart
    Otamendi, Mustafi, Rbertson, Lowton
    Salah, Gudmunson, Sterling
    Jesus, Auba, Barnes

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      itll look pretty poor whem salah aub dont start

      1. Bubz
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Aub will start I think

        1. Theres mo limit
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          funny how most people with no free hit think Aub will start

          1. Bubz
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Bookmarked

  10. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    If it’s leaked that Salah isn’t starting is there still a case to include him in FH sides? I wouldn’t personally but my ML rival will have him (not FH) and will probably captain him.

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      why would you spend over 10m on a likely 1pter

      1. Stokelona
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Exactly, get Mane or someone who will start

    2. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      In 23 minutes as a late sub away to Stoke in GW14, Salah scored 2 goals, six minutes apart, and earned 2 baps

  11. diesel001
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Would like a decent free hit team please.

    GW1 OR: Top 10k
    GW34 OR: Top 9k

    Done nothing for 33 GWs. Would like to move up.

    1. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Have you done nothing towards thinking who you want?

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Gw1 is to an extent pot luck. Makes more sense comparing say GW7 rank to the current one..

      1. diesel001
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        GW7 rank was Top 10k still. As I said, literally done nothing for last 33 GWs

  12. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Missed price rises on Jesus and Sterling.

    Still want them though.

    Mahrez to Sterling is gonna happen.

    Question is would you:

    A: Kane to Jesus, Kane back for 36 for Auba

    B: Auba to Jesus, save a transfer

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

  13. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster Elliot
    TAA Lowton Ake Baines Alonso
    Walcott Shaqiri Lingard Eriksen Hazard
    Barnes Aubamayang Jesus

    1.5 m ITB

    Which option is better?
    A Alonso & Hazard > Otamendi & KDB
    B Alonso & Hazard > Walker & Sterling
    C Eriksen & Hazard > KDB & Sterling

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      relentless

      1. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        There's no limit

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

  14. Botman and Robben
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    No FH chip
    0 FT and 2.3 ITB

    Pickford De Gea*
    VVD Otamendi Lowton Christensen* Chilwell*
    Walcott Grob* Willian* Eriksen* Mahrez*
    Barnes Firmino Jesus

    A. Take a -4 for Sterling to play 9 (hopefully)
    B. Take a -8 and add another mid?

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A. max city and no one else appeals unless you wamt to punt on Ramsey

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Dont trust any Arsenal

  15. Tosa86
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    my actual tea is:

    DDG - Fabianski
    Naughton - Tark - Robertson - Smalling - Chilwell
    Salah - Son - Mahrez Willian - mc Arthutr
    lukaku - kane - barnes

    for GW35 i choosed Mahrez+Lukaku --> Sterling, Jesus (-4)
    for GW35 captain salah or sterling?

    GW36 --> no changes.
    bank: 2.0
    GW37: how to peak Lukaku instead Barnes? cu willian and son?cut salah and willian?

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      earl grey is nicer

      1. Tosa86
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        what do you mean?

  16. HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Better option for dgw37 is?

    A) Walker Arnautovic.

    B) Naughton Eriksen.

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      B

  17. Silencetheweak
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    choose 1 for this GW

    A) Shaqiri
    B) Arnautovic

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

  18. Frank Koscielny
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I see that Firmino is dropped in almost every RMFHT - is this due to uncertainty in the starting 11 or any spesific news from Klopp about injury or resting him?

  19. fkmzcgp
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Is Karius nailed this weekend?

  20. Stokelona
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    If the Liverpool team is leaked and they make changes why aren’t free hitters looking at the likes of solanke and ings? Would be great differentials if starting

    1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Well we're all still waiting on the leaked team so....

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

      They are meh...

  21. Transferred Out
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH team?

    Pope
    Baines Mustafi PVA
    Salah KDB Mane Sterling Zaha
    Firmino Jesus

    3.9, Perez, Long, 3.9

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure about Mane

      1. Transferred Out
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        What about Ozil instead?

        1. DV8R
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Good shout

        2. Sedemuda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          I like the idea of Ozil or Ramsey but they're both a punt with Wenger's head.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      You need strong benc with that team

  22. Mikey44
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A) Walker & Sane
    B) Walker & Silva
    C) Kompany & Sterling
    D)Otamendi & Sterling

    Which one seems best until the end of the season? Thanks guys

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      D

    2. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I seem to be doing E) Walker and Sterling!

      1. Mikey44
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        0.1 away...

  23. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Without the Free Hit I would have maybe 1 player cetain to start. Aghh!

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      another fine mess

      1. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ha! Almost.

  24. Darklord_bg
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Please, rate this FH team.

    Pickford (Foster)
    Van Dijk, Mustafi, Van Aanholt, (Long, Masuaku)
    Salah(C), Sterling, Sane, Zaha, (Milli)
    Aub, Firmino, Jesus(VC)

    Could do VVD to Robo and Foster to some 3.9 if I need cash, though I don't know if there's need to.
    Still not sure on Auba, could replace with Laca.

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good

  25. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Will Mane start?

  26. Sedemuda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    FH Team
    Pickford
    Bellerin Milner Baines
    Salah Sterling DSilva Zaha
    Firmino Laca/Auba Jesus
    Hennesey Mili Long Haidara

    1. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Good team.
      Milner could be a good shout based on anfield express leaked team.

      How are you going to call laca/Auba?

      1. Sedemuda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I really don't know to be honest, hoping there will be more info before 11.30 tomorrow.

  27. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Do you prefer A or B on FH:

    A) Firmino, Bellerin, Cork (benched, playing 3-4-3)

    B) Ozil, PVA, Perez (benched playing 3-5-2)

  28. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    FH team. Any improvements? 0.5m itb

    Karius
    Baines, Mustafi, Kiko
    Salah, Sterling, Same, Zaha
    Jesus, Laca, Firmino

    3.9, Mili, Tomkins, Long

  29. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Tosun in the FH team?

  30. The Darkest Knight
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    LACA OR AUBA???

    1. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      That is the question.

      Auba!. Wegner will be crazy to risk Laca surely.