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. George James
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Best option for rest of season...?

    A) Otamendi

    B) Walker

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

      I went Otamendi

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

      I'm debating as well. Walker more nailed?

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

      I went Kompany!
      Sober and hindsight, would have done Walker

  2. Cathal Cantona
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Hey will Ozil start this weekend??

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

      Hey, no.

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

      Almost certainly.

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

    tosun or not tosun, that is the question

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

      Nosun

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

      Too soon, I think

    3. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      For how long?

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

      Decent punt if you are chasing

  4. chelseabrad
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    2FT, only BB left to play

    DDG Fabianski
    Otamendi Monreal Ward Morgan Lowton
    Mahrez Son Willian Salah Kenedy
    Lukaku Vardy Barnes

    Was thinking of doing Lukaku & Mahrez > Jesus & Sterling and playing 10 this week, any better ideas?

    1. DJ1000
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Think that’s the way to go

    2. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Seems a good move, if you don’t want to take any hits.
      If you did, you could also shift Willian to Zaha/Shaq

  5. oscarhs
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A or B on FH:

    A) Kompany, Arnautovic

    B) Sane, Tomkins

    Already have Sterling and Jesus

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

      A

  6. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    So the next 24 hrs is about Firmino vs a City midf/def

    Boring.

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

      Then just leave then if you're so bored.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Why don't you ask 2 questions in one post instead of sperming the boards.

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

          Because I like sperming

        2. pjomara
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          nice autocorrect for spamming!

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

      Nah, Firmino vs Tosun 😛

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      And every 30 seconds a random person asking "Has the Liverpool team been leaked yet"?

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

    Will Mané start ?

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

      Tosun to say.

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

    Are we overlooking David Silva?

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

      I've got him

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

    AUBAAAA OR LACAAAA???

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

      Both 😉

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

      Flip a coin

  10. SomeoneKnows
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Butland
    Baines, Robertson, Lowton
    De Bruyne, Sterling, Salah, Zaha
    Jesus, Aubameyang, Firmino

    (Nordfeldt, Gudmundsson, Mariappa, Tomkins)

    GTG? Any suggestions regarding my defence / bench order?

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

      Is this FH? Robertson looking unlikely to play apparently. Firmino too. Would put Tomkins before Mariappa on the bench.

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

        What's this Firmino news?

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

          Will surely be rested ahead of Roma.

      2. SomeoneKnows
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, it's a FH... Who's the best Liverpool defence cover then?

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

          Vvd

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

            And if I go Karius instead of Butland, what 5.0 defender from any team?

    2. WVA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Very close to mine except ive gone Ozil over Auba after wengers comments

  11. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my FH team

    Pickford
    Mustafi, Otamendi, Van Dijk
    Salah, Sterling, Shaqiri, Zaha, Mane
    Aubeyang, Jesus

    Hart, Barnes, Long, Tomkins

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

    Start Lowton or Tomkins?

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Lowton

    2. Kayz
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      TOM

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

      Lowton

  13. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    This FH is atrocious. The whole point was to field a strong team. Reality is that it’s fraught with risk and pure guesswork. Rotation is rife.

    If anyone gets 9 out of 11 players out they will have done ok

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I have tried keeping players that will at least play on my bench in - Hart, Barnes, Long and Tomkins

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

      It looks more and more certain now that GW31 was the best time to use FH...

      My rivals that used it in 31 gained about 20pts.

      I will be lucky to get that back...or even get the same score as them now...it's all lottery.

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

        The best time was in 34

        1. UCL Fantasy
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Not sure about that given some of the FH teams I've seen!

      2. Pep says
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Disagree. It all depends on your team. For me I would actually have lost pts if i used free hit in gw31.

        Now I know that whatever I do, FH'ing this week is going to guarantee me pts as I only have 5 players and 2 play City and another are defenders. Salah would be my only chance of pts whereas now I have 11 chances at getting pts.

        You can't paint this game with one brush, that's why you should always make decisions based on your team and not based on what everyone around here is doing

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

          Of course it always depends on your team.

          But for 31 it was much clearer what the best team was and there were no surprises with regard to starters.
          I know you can potentially get a huge score for 35 but it's really hard to nail the best players.

          City, Liverpool, Arsenal are a rotation minefield and they are likely to be the highest scorers.
          Otherwise, if you decide to skip them entirely and go for assured starters - Zaha, Arnie, Wood...then it's the same as GW31.

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            GW31 was all about Liverpool and everyone already had at least one player.

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

              No, it wasn't.

              I had three Liverpool (Salah(c), Firmino, VVD) and still lost quite a bit of ground, since my only other points-producing player was Stanislas. Wilson, Mounie and Shaq all decided to blank.

              My rivals had PvA, Daniels, Choupo, Tosun...managed to gain ~20pts on me.

              1. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 6 months ago

                so you're saying that Choupo and Tosun were clearly better picks than Shaq etc. Rubbish.

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

                  I'm saying my rivals had Choupo, Tosun AND Shaq.

                  Being on FH they could afford to field 11.

                  I could only field 8 with 1 hit.

                  1. Annie
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    6 years, 6 months ago

                    and all your rivals have 11 this week with no hits?

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

                      No...but FH or not getting the right players for this GW is much harder than it was in 31 due to uncertainty.

                      One of Jesus, Sterling, Sane could be rotated to B. Silva.
                      One or two or even all three of Pool's attacking trio could be rested.
                      Pool's defense not much better: VVD, Lovren, Klavan, Robo, Millner, TAA, Gomez all pushing for a start.
                      Arsenal's whole team is in question.

                      Just pick 11 random players out of those, and I'll pick 8 random as well.
                      Each side could do better. of course having 11 players is better, but not guaranteed better and for sure not guaranteed 20+ points better.

                      1. Annie
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        6 years, 6 months ago

                        at least there are players with higher ceilings, good for me as I'm chasing.

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

          I agree with this, I went into GW31 with 10 players and no FH. Scored 109 points (with a 4 point hit I think).

          But looking at all the FH teams floating around, its tough to look beyond a certain template.

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

        I kept up with FH 31 teams with 99 points.
        Hopefully Anfield Express will help out this week.

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

          Good for you, I got 86.
          Rivals got players like Daniels, PvA, Choupo, Tosun.
          I did not want to spend hits to get them (and even with hits, they would even out, since each of them provided 4-6 points).

      4. Joletouriste
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I think we'll have to wait after the gw is played to know the best strategy... For myself so far so good. Didn't use the fh yet had 102 point in gw31 and 111 gw34 (BB). And it always depends on your team so it may have been better for some to use it in 31, 34...

      5. Boberella
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Reckon TC on Salah was the best chip to use in GW31. Wonder how many did?

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

      The whole point was to get players who will play that week. If a player you want is doubtful to start/feature and you have the cash to keep a decent option on the bench, why not do it? Rather have a bench and not need it than need a bench and not have it.
      I, myself, am following the 'get 11 good players and fodder bench' but I can see why most people are getting at least 1/2 players on the bench.

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

        I'm planning to have 1.5 good bench players (Milli, Long) and I'm not sure that will be enough.

        Also, the bench doesn't save you if the player you picked gets a

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

          ...gets a 20-minute cameo
          I don't know what happened with the rest of my comment.

  14. George James
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    08:37
    FRIDAY PRESS CONFERENCES:

    Friday Pressers...

    9:00: Darren Moore [West Brom]

    9:30: Jurgen Klopp [Liverpool]

    11:00: Mark Hughes [Southampton]

    12:30: Sean Dyche [Burnley]

    13:00: Jose Mourinho [Manchester United]

    13:30: Pep Guardiola [Manchester City]

    13:30: Rafael Benitez [Newcastle United]

    13:30: David Moyes [West Ham]

    13:30: Paul Lambert [Stoke]

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

      Thanks mate!

    2. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      cheers

    3. Kryten
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Great work but think klopp is 10:30am according to the Liverpool echo

      1. George James
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Apologies if that’s the case. They are always late anyway 🙂

        1. Kryten
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Haha very true

    4. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      FFS waiting on Klopp and Pep like never before.

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

    Who are everyones non City Liverpool Arsenal differential selections for the weekend?

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

      Zaha andre ayew

    2. ludaslol
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Zaha Jordan ayew Kenedy Dummet mustafi Hennessey
      Non FH team

    3. skodaole2
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Dawson, Sakho, Diame, Ki are the differentials in my FH team. Will probably captain Gundogan. I expect a weird GW so trying to get the odd points.

      1. Js31
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I fancy Gundogan too as differential. 60pts behind in ML need to start doing something!

    4. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Barnes, PVA, Hennessey and Auba! Seeing as everyone reckons he won’t play, he’s become somewhat of a differential for me. Not in FH, but I’d still get him in if I was.

  16. james 101
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Given the massive risk of rotation, does it make sense to spread money on our free hits?

    Eg rather than betting it all on a questionable starting 11, (with really cheap bench players), maybe select 13 or 14 at slightly lower cost (and quality), and hedge your bets far more.

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

      Indeed my man

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I ask bevauae people talk about worrying if they'll field 11 players.

      On a free hit that shouldn't be impossible...

    3. EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think so. At least 2x players on bench that will start

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

      very very unlikely all your doubts will get 0 mins though

  17. pakornk
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Will Alonso drop tonight?

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

      if im not wrong - hes out till 4th may

  18. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    RMFT

    Butland
    Baines PVA VVD
    Zaha Salah KDB Sterling(C) Ozil
    Jesus Laca

    Grant, Klavan, Lowton, Campbell

    I'm in 3 cash mini leagues and between 31 to 36 points behind the leader in each of them. Have TC left. Only one leader has a FH left, assuming playing this week. So its a fairly safe FH team but feel this is the best tactic to move up the others.

  19. Kayz
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    if you had to - GUNDOGAN or MILIVOJEVIC

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

      GUNDOGAN

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

      Wait, free hit or permanent? If permanent then MILIVOJEVIC

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Milli by a miley

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

      Milli. In a FH Gundo is a waste of a city space. Long term, Gundo more of a ration risk and Milli on pens

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

      Milli no brainer

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

      Milly Rock

    7. skodaole2
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Gundo(c) here with FH team Mili's form is great though. I d say Mili is the safer option and Gundo more fun. Good luck

  20. Hobolicious
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts regarding Özil as a differential on FH? Going by Wenger's comments it seems very likely he will start.

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

      I'm bought into Ozil starting, he is in my FH team two posts above

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

      He's in my current draft.

      1. Ginola14
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        im punting on him too

  21. SP Polymorphism
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Best Alonso replacement that is not Alonso?

    1. SP Polymorphism
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      FAIL.

      Best Alonso replacement that is not Mustafi.

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Alonso

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A City defender? VVD?

      1. SP Polymorphism
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Should say no FH so trying to pick up players with DGW 37 too.

        Not sure on Ota or Walker, maybe a Kompany punt?

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

      Lascelles

      1. SP Polymorphism
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks I like that actually. Looking to spread some funds around 36 -37 so this allows that too.

  22. merin
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    GTG? (using FH)

    Pickford
    Kompany PVA Dummett
    Salah(c) Sterling Mané Milivojevic
    Auba(v) Firmino Jesus

    (Hennessey Long Baines King)

    ITB: 1.4

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

      Baines over Dummet for pens but good team

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      You are not benching Baines

  23. GoonerByron
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    If Firmino is confirmed as rested, is it worth a -4 to get Jesus in and (c)?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

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

      Surely

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

      I’d probably do that anyway. Even if Firmino is confirmed as playing.

  24. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    For those of you that don't have the FH chip left how many are you fielding for GW35, I currently have 10 using my 1FT, can't decide if I should field 11 for -4

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

      Who are you getting with the hit?

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

        Was thinking Sterling, already got Jesus with my 1FT

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

          Who for?

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

            A non playing midfielder, Alli. I am WC next week

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

              I'd do it.

    2. skodaole2
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely do it its a -2 hit and you choose the player you ll get. Sterling will easily get more than 2 points so its a low risk move. Wouldnt even consider not taking a hit. Good luck

    3. Kroneek
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      9 with a -4 (Leading ML with 39 - rival have 6 currently)

  25. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    No Anfield Express in that friday presser schedule

  26. UCL Fantasy
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Morning all!

    What a double gameweek. Can't wait for the next one

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Every week should be a double game week.

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Hear hear

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

      Worked out ok in the end. Scored 90, 289k GW rank, my non-freehit team would have scored 87 though lol. Jumped up to 37k OR so well pleased with wildcard and BB to come.

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Decent!

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

    Should I go Alonso & Hazard > Ota/Walker & KDB/Sterling
    or
    Eriksen & Hazard > KDB & Sterling?

    Both option leave me with enough ITB to get Kane in for Auba next week

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

  28. Sz21
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    On a FH..

    1. Aubameyang.
    2. Lacazette.
    3. Avoid both.

    1. Kroneek
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2

    2. WVA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      This is the million dollar question
      Currently on Ozil

  29. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH team please ?

    Pope
    Ward / Lowton / Baines
    Salah / Sane / Sterling / Zaha
    Jesus / Firmino / Auba

    1. Klavan 2. mariapa

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Trying to maximize CS on Burnley away at stoke

      All eggs in the same basket

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I'd probably avoid Burnley def or go for max 1 at least. Must win game for Stoke and Burnley could also be slightly fatigued from their match against Chelsea last night

  30. SkipperTG
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Seems to be a lot of stress on here about the FH. Can I offer my two cents?

    Pick a squad, not a team.

    Sure, you'll have to compromise on one or two big hitters. But you go into the weekend knowing that you have a decent back up for attacking and defence, then you'll feel much better about it.

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Strongly disagree - this is when you use the FH to maximize starting XI and not spread over a squad of 15

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

        Then you'll suffer when you inevitably lose one or two from your starting XI.

      2. reddragons178
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        This. Long and 1 other cheapie strtee on bench...Plus Goldaon and 3.9 GK ;-=