Double Gameweek 37 is threatening to offer up more intrigue than a week in the life of Zelijko Buvac.
Rotation worries surrounding players from both Manchester clubs make them riskier prospects than their fixtures would suggest, while the make-up of Chelsea’s backline is far from settled and a certain Spurs striker is currently more hesitant breeze than hurricane.
Nonetheless, our ‘expert’ panel of Scout veterans Mark, Paul and Jonty, and Career Hall of Fame number one Peter Kouwenberg, haven’t been able to resist certain double delights, with Gabriel Jesus and Harry ‘rock you like a puff of wind’ Kane getting the thumbs-up across the board.
United keeper David De Gea is another promoting Scout-based harmony, with Raheem Sterling and Christian Eriksen looking like shoo-ins for midfield slots.
Things should get rather more tetchy after that, with Chelsea, Spurs and even beach-ready Leicester City players vying for defensive spots.
And the usual kerfuffle over formation might turn nasty, as the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jordan Ayew and whichever Arsenal striker starts up front this week attempt to persuade our men to go for three up top.
We’ll be back before Friday evening’s deadline with those that have made the cut and, in the meantime, here are the thoughts (cogent or otherwise) of the fairly fab four.
| Paul | Jonty | Mark | Peter | |
| Goalkeepers | David De Gea | David De Gea | David De Gea | David De Gea |
| Lukasz Fabianski | Lukasz Fabianski | Lukasz Fabianski | Lukasz Fabianski | |
| Alex McCarthy | Martin Dubravka | Ederson | Alex McCarthy | |
| Defenders | Nicolas Otamendi | Chris Smalling | Ben Davies | Cesar Azpilicueta |
| Marcos Alonso | Cesar Azpilicueta | Alfie Mawson | Danilo | |
| Jan Vertonghen | Jan Vertonghen | Chris Smalling | Nacho Monreal | |
| Chris Smalling | Alfie Mawson | Danilo | Ben Davies | |
| Shkodran Mustafi | Nacho Monreal | Harry Maguire | Cedric Soares | |
| Midfielders | Raheem Sterling | Raheem Sterling | Raheem Sterling | Raheem Sterling |
| Christian Eriksen | Christian Eriksen | Marko Arnautovic | Christian Eriksen | |
| Marko Arnautovic | Mohamed Salah | Christian Eriksen | Eden Hazard | |
| Eden Hazard | Paul Pogba | Paul Pogba | Paul Pogba | |
| Aaron Ramsey | Marko Arnautovic | Dusan Tadic | Marko Arnautovic | |
| Forwards | Gabriel Jesus | Harry Kane | Harry Kane | Gabriel Jesus |
| Harry Kane | Gabriel Jesus | Gabriel Jesus | Harry Kane | |
| Alexandre Lacazette | Pierre-E Aubameyang | Jordan Ayew | Jamie Vardy | |
| Marcus Rashford | Jordan Ayew | Marcus Rashford | Jordan Ayew | |
| Charlie Austin | Olivier Giroud | Charlie Austin | Marcus Rashford |
Peter Says…
Oh how I envy those who are enjoying a Free Hit this week, as my picks are flooded with Double Gameweek players.
Admittedly, Gameweek 34 demonstrated that two matches far from guarantees 180 minutes on the pitch for our choices, but with Manchester City and Spurs (in particular) each enjoying a pair of very favourable fixtures, I’m hopeful that even a 90-minute foray will bring in the points.
It is only a shame that City don’t actually need six points from plum match-ups at home to Huddersfield and Brighton.
Nonetheless, it would be a major shock if they dropped points, and you have to fancy that they will find the net on numerous occasions in both outings. Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Danilo (pending news on Kyle Walker) come in, with Leroy Sané a more than able alternative.
Spurs arguably face a slightly tougher task, with West Brom fighting for their life (but also needing to push for victory) and Newcastle conceding no more than one goal in any of their last six matches.
Harry Kane will be top choice for many, notwithstanding his post-injury dip in form, while Christian Eriksen and Ben Davies also stand out.
The final top four side in my picks (as I regretfully overlook Liverpool on this occasion) is Manchester United.
David De Gea has a meagre three clean sheets in his last ten matches, but faces Brighton and West Ham.
Paul Pogba is not my first choice and does feel like a knee-jerk, but he and Marcus Rashford come within the mid-price range and both have the potential to do well.
In stark contrast, both Swansea City and Southampton know their Premier League existence is at stake.
Ideally, I would have liked a bit more attacking representation from those sides in recognition of that fact – so not just Jordan Ayew – but I’ve instead snapped up both stoppers (who could be very busy and might even be sighted in the opposing area depending on scorelines in the dying minutes), together with Cedric Soares as a cheaper alternative to Ryan Bertrand.
Paul Says…
As five of the top six teams are set to play twice in Double Gameweek 37, there is no shortage of big-hitters at our disposal.
I’ve opted for a host of attack-minded defenders, with injuries to Vincent Kompany and John Stones looking good for Nicolas Otamendi’s pitch-time.
Arsenal’s progress in the Europa League could play a part in our thinking when it comes to the attack. If the Gunners fail to overcome Atletico Madrid on Thursday, I reckon that rotation will be far less of an influence on Arsene Wenger’s teamsheets.
As evidenced as recently as Gameweek 35, where they both delivered double-digits against West Ham, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette could be the big differentials.
While the Frenchman is unlikely to force his way into our XI, Ramsey – at just 6.8 – looks an ideal alternative and has scored four times in his last four league outings.
Sitting in only 6.3% of squads and bought by just over 7,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, Eden Hazard’s goal threat has improved considerably in recent weeks, as highlighted in Tuesday’s Big Numbers article.
Over the last four Gameweeks, the Chelsea man’s score in our expected goal involvement numbers is bettered only by Man City pair Jesus and Sterling among Double Gameweek 37 players.
Elsewhere, both Charlie Austin (1%) and Rashford (6%) could be the budget-friendly differential picks up front.
The Saints are second only to Man City for big chances over the last four Gameweeks and have scored twice in all but one of those fixtures.
Meanwhile, Rashford’s pitch-time could benefit from concerns over Romelu Lukaku’s ankle problem, with Jose Mourinho perhaps protecting his top scorer ahead of the FA Cup final.
Jonty Says…
The Gameweek 32/33 Wildcard purge continues with my selections.
Not one Leicester player makes the cut following their recent decline in form, which hit a new low in Saturday’s embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Instead, assets from the two Manchester sides and Spurs dominate my thinking, with Swansea leading the budget options
City striker Jesus looks to be secure up front and, with four goals and three assists over his last five starts, is arguably the optimum triple captain shout.
Kane’s strike against Watford on Monday did enough to convince me he should be included and he may yet deserve the armband.
I’d certainly like to see a three-man frontline this week, with the exceptional value offered by Swansea’s Jordan Ayew (5.3) used to help free up vital funds across the rest of our XI.
Sterling’s run of three double-digit hauls in a row makes him my top midfielder for the Double Gameweek. Eriksen’s consistency deserves recognition, but I’d be equally happy if my colleagues want to back either Son Heung-min or Dele Alli.
My Man United picks are focused on defence, with De Gea and Chris Smalling looking strong candidates. If we are faced with a choice of only picking one, I’d like to see Smalling make the cut, with Swansea stopper Lukasz Fabianski an able replacement for the Spaniard.
At 7.9, Pogba is my pick of United’s attacking options, particularly as he has notched two scores of 10 points or more in his last four starts.
Mark Says…
While many of us had Wildcards active weeks ago in a bid to construct a squad for this round of extended fixtures, we knew that we would have to be flexible and switch our sights nearer the deadline.
The demise of Leicester’s options represents a notable shift, with both Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy unlikely to trouble Friday’s picks, despite facing two home matches.
Harry Maguire just about hangs on in my back five selection as I remain convinced that eventually his buccaneering style and frequent raids into the opposition’s half will eventually find reward.
Indeed, I’ve been fairly maverick in my defensive picks, snubbing Chelsea’s shifting backline and opting instead for the cut-price goal threat from Alfie Mawson, while also taking the opportunity to grab Danilo as cover in Man City’s rearguard should Walker miss out.
Somewhat controversially, the Blues and Hazard are also ignored in midfield. I just see Liverpool finally ending their top four ambitions at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, which could impact on their approach and teamsheet for the home encounter with Huddersfield.
It means I can keep a midfield spot open for Marko Arnautovic, who continues to be the apple of my eye. I can see him profiting from the King Power Stadium trip, in particular.
Pogba’s also in my five. An unlikely selection back when my Wildcard was active, Jose Mourinho’s recent policy of starting Ander Herrera in a 4-3-3 has been a game changer for the Frenchman.
With Lukaku’s power potentially ruled out of United’s frontline, I can see Pogba given even more freedom to raid the penalty area, as Rashford runs the channels.
The Community Champion
Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 37 will be Red Arrows, who is just outside the top 10,000 and will be hoping to beat his career-high finish of 11,549 last season.
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).
Last week’s champion, Nani R U OK?, was beaten 69-52 by the Scouts.
The one to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.

