Scout Squad
2 May 2018 1866 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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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.

PaulJontyMarkPeter
GoalkeepersDavid De GeaDavid De GeaDavid De GeaDavid De Gea
Lukasz FabianskiLukasz FabianskiLukasz FabianskiLukasz Fabianski
Alex McCarthyMartin DubravkaEdersonAlex McCarthy
DefendersNicolas OtamendiChris SmallingBen DaviesCesar Azpilicueta
Marcos AlonsoCesar AzpilicuetaAlfie MawsonDanilo
Jan VertonghenJan VertonghenChris SmallingNacho Monreal
Chris SmallingAlfie MawsonDaniloBen Davies
Shkodran MustafiNacho MonrealHarry MaguireCedric Soares
MidfieldersRaheem SterlingRaheem SterlingRaheem SterlingRaheem Sterling
Christian EriksenChristian EriksenMarko ArnautovicChristian Eriksen
Marko ArnautovicMohamed SalahChristian EriksenEden Hazard
Eden HazardPaul PogbaPaul PogbaPaul Pogba
Aaron RamseyMarko ArnautovicDusan TadicMarko Arnautovic
ForwardsGabriel JesusHarry KaneHarry KaneGabriel Jesus
Harry KaneGabriel JesusGabriel JesusHarry Kane
Alexandre LacazettePierre-E AubameyangJordan AyewJamie Vardy
Marcus RashfordJordan AyewMarcus RashfordJordan Ayew
Charlie AustinOlivier GiroudCharlie AustinMarcus 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.

  1. oscarhs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    tadic or gundo? for draft

    1. jack149331
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      gundo

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Tad

  2. jack149331
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Sorry guys one more pope or fabianski?? thanks

    1. oscarhs
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      fab easy

      1. jack149331
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        im an idiot i meant begovic forgot my bloody team aha

  3. Risk it for the Biscuit
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts on this Free Hit XI?

    Context behind some of the decisions: 40 points behind ML leader whose team includes DDG, Azpi, Bavies, Eriksen

    Fabianski
    Vertonghen Moses Smalling
    Alli Sterling Sane Tadic
    Kane Auba Jesus

    Plan on captaining Jesus and hoping ML leader doesn't do the same (fellow owner).

  4. calosul1
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Is Ben Chilwell likely to lose his place to Fuchs?
    5-0 battering to Palace has me concerned

    1. jack149331
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      yes

  5. Over Midwicket
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    People on here seem to think Davies won't continue to play 90 mins.

    Thoughts on which combo is "better"?

    DDG + Davies
    Lloris + Smalling

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      LS

      1. Over Midwicket
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Don't fancy Davies attacking potential and baps plus DDG monster performances? Far higher ceiling.

    2. teneighty
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      DDG + Davies

      Davies will get at least one full game. Depending on the relationship status between Poch and Rose he might get both.
      I Smalling really nailed for both games?

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

    Which one for -12?

    1. Vardy Willian Son to Jesus Tadic Marko
    2. Vardy Willian Son to Jesus Ramsey Tadic
    3. Vardy Willian Gross to Jesus Tadic Kenedy
    4. Vardy Gross Barnes to Jesus Ayew Delph

    Cheers!!

    1. Risk it for the Biscuit
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      C I reckon
      Fancy Tadic for a couple of goals and wouldn't ditch Son.

  7. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    gtg? - 0 hits - bb active - any changes?

    lloris - fabianski
    smalling - mustafi - yoshida - vdh - baines*
    salah* - sane - dilva - arnie - kenedy
    kane(c) - jesus - ayew

  8. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    who scores more?

    A) Salah + Baines
    B) Alli + Baines (-4)
    C) Alli + Alonso (-8)
    D) Hazard + Baines (-4)

  9. czechow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A) Salah + Gross > Sterling and Sane
    B) Son + Gross > Arnie and Sterling?

    Chasing 60 and the two guys ahead both don't have Sane but have the Salah, Arnie and Sterling.

  10. Pjanić At The Disco
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Which one for GW 37 and 38?

    A) Willian + 4 Points
    B) Arnautovic

  11. hogree
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Who gets more points for end of season?
    RLC (2 games)
    Tom Carroll (3 games)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      RLC

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A. Mee, Shaquiri, Firmino to Ogbonna, Hazard, J.Ayew

    or

    B. Mee, Shaquiri, Firmino to Mawson, Eriksen, J.Ayew

    1. Los Perros Calientes
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B all day

  13. GerrardBros
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Make sense? Or should I double the dosage on my medication?
    Willian out for -4 for:
    A. Tadic
    B. Arnautovic
    C. Keep
    Have Hazard.

  14. Weaselpie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A) Mahrez/Deeney > Eriksen/J.Ayew
    B) Mahrez/Deeney/Alonso > A.King/Naughton/Kane (-4)

    Have TC available (for Jesus or Kane if he comes in), 36 points clear in mini league (main rival has TC too), fear not having Kane but gut says non-Kane moves look better.

    To Kane or not to Kane?

    DDG/Cech
    Alonso/Tarky/Lowton/Morgan/Dummett
    Salah/Arnie/Sterling/Gudmundsson/Mahrez
    Jesus/Vardy/Deeney

  15. Haimdog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Current Team:

    Ryan
    Alonso Chillwell Smalling
    Mahrez Salah Arnautovic Carrol Willian
    Kane Vardy

    bench: Pope Lowton Robertson Barnes

    A: Robertson, Salah, Willian >> Mawson, Sterling, Pogba (-8)
    B: Robertson, Salah, Willian >> Davies, De Bruyne, Tadic (-8)
    C: Lowton, Salah >> Davies, Sterling (-4)

    Or any other advice also welcome 🙂

    1. bertie
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B) Can you do Sterling Davies Tadic?

  16. jaywills
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Need some help!
    Here's my team as it is
    De Gea
    Davies, Chillwell, Robertson, Lowton
    Salah, Lingard, Sterling
    Jesus, Kane, Vardy

    Which transfers should I make:
    1) Robertson + salah out - otamendi/danilo + Eriksen in
    2) Robertson + Lingard out - danilo + son in
    3) salah + vardy out - Eriksen + Auba in

    Thanks!

  17. damiang2233
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Lads anyone know if david silva is around to play the double gameweek or why he didnt play last week?

    1. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Got let off to Spain last week to spend time at home. Rumors around the City forums are he'll play the homecoming game and head back home again.

      I can really see this being the case as when he goes to Russia he isn't gonna be over and back like he is now so hell want to spend as much time at home as possible one could only imagine.

      Having said this, he could easily score double digits in 1 games

  18. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    I have Mee, Willian and £1.5m in the bank. Who should I get? Was thinking Sterling and a 4.2m defender but I can't find a 4.2m defender that plays. Smalling, Davies, Danilo, Arnie..... these are all other options. I travel tomorrow morning too so I have to decide today.

  19. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    For -12?

    J.Pereira -> DDG
    Dawson -> Mawson
    VVD -> Bednarek
    McArthur -> Arnautovic
    Firmino -> Jayew

    Leaves 0.5 in the bank; anything better?

  20. Whits
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Really stuck. Any advice would be awesome! I have no money in the bank and 1 free transfer. Open to a bit or two

  21. cescfabregas
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Long & Gudmundson >> Cedric & Carrol

    Is it good?

  22. cescfabregas
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    BB is active. Already -4, should I move Ayoze for Ayew or keep?

  23. ajoysid
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    de gea, naughton (or) fabianski, monreal (GW37)...

  24. poulteren
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    PLEASE help!

    CHRISTIENSEN to who?

    A.) NAUGHTON

    B.) CEDRIC

    C>) SOMEONE ELSE?

  25. breadhead28
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Rival is approx. 40 points behind in a big cash ML....

    a) Salah > Hazard (blocking Hazard in his team)
    b) Salah > KDB (would be my 3rd City attacker alongside Sterling and Jesus)
    c) Do nothing, keep Salah + pray Hazard doesn't hurt me too much

    He also has Salah so by me getting rid of him it'd give him a differential for GW37, i'd plan on getting him back for 38 though.

    I have TC (either going onto Kane / Sterling / Jesus), he's got nothing chip-wise.

    Thoughts?