Podcast
8 August 2018 3764 comments
J0E J0E
Share:

The start of the new season is just days away and the Scoutcast crew are still full of doubts about their 15-man Fantasy Premier League squads.

Andy, Az, David and Mark join me to mull over our likely strategies for the start of the 2018/19 campaign as well as reveal our current line-ups.

Across our 82-minute chat, a consensus emerges on backing Manchester City and Liverpool premium assets. But that could all change depending on tomorrow’s transfer deadline day deals and surprise team news.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth look set to supply our teams with a supporting cast of bargain enablers due to favourable fixtures. Well, for now at least.

But the groupthink soon breaks down when we discuss forward options, with Mark looking exclusively for value up top, while the rest of us are more keen to splash our cash.

The hive-mind soon returns at the end as we reveal our top choice for the Gameweek 1 armband, so to help those daring to shun a certain Egyptian we also offer up a host of alternative captaincy options.

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.

Also, this week we are publishing a series of videos looking in detail at each of the Scoutcast regulars’ current Gameweek 1 line-ups.

Rate My FPL Team #1 – Bargain Hunting at Crystal Palace

Rate My FPL Team #2 – Maximum Man City and Liverpool

Rate My FPL Team #3 – Daring to be Salah-less

Read more with Scout

Visit our PRE-SEASON PAGE to get the latest pointers from pre-season friendlies and read scout reports on new players by CLICKING HERE.

Pick your FPL team for 2018/19 using our list of best available players, sorted for your convenience by position and price:

Goalkeepers | Defenders: Budget | Defenders: Mid-Price and Premium | Midfielders: Budget | Midfielders: Mid-Price | Midfielders: Premium | Forwards: Budget | Forwards: Mid-Price |Forwards: Premium

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

Arsenal | Bournemouth | Brighton & Hove Albion | Burnley | Cardiff City | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Huddersfield Town | Leicester City | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester United | Newcastle United | Southampton | Tottenham Hotspur | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

Read them all in one place

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50. This will increase to the regular price of £15 after the first Gameweek of the season.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

  1. RohanVaswani
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Murphy from Cardiff plus Shaw

    Or

    4.5 midfielder (pls recommend ) plus smalling?

    1. klavan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

  2. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    best Man United attacking players to select?

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      *404 error*

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        😆

    2. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Lukaku. Just.

    3. BadgersBoys
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Lukaku, if you are being tied up in your bathroom while someone is down stairs ransackinh the house and his accomplice is hold a knife to your scrotum and making you chose an Utd attacker..

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Even then, there’s no real excuse for choosing a United attacker

    4. Garth Marenghi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      First few games Alexis isn’t too bad a pick. Mainly with Lukaku sitting out, when he’s back, different story.

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers guys, I think Sanchez is a tad over priced just fancied having an attacker with their fixtures. Is Lukaku definitely not going to feature in game week 1 then?

    5. Podge
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Sanchez for his hattrick on friday

  3. klavan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    A) Mane,B.Silva, Peltier
    B) Mahrez, Moura, TAA (double Lpool defence)

    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

  4. Total Slotball
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Not to alert anyone but I think i've cracked it

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Bit of glue and it will be fine

      1. Total Slotball
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Dammit. Better get PVA in now

  5. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry posted this in wrong place! Chances of KDB starting season? Is it worth getting him in for week 1 with this team and if no show Tomkins comes in? Alternative is Mané BSilva

    Foster
    Van Dijk Mendy Shaw
    Be Bruyne Salah Richarlison Jota
    Aguero King Mitrovic

    Patricio Tomkins Stephens Wan- Bissaka

    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn’t get him this week. Go with Mane/ Silva

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      you know it's the wrong place but you still posted?

      kdb might start

  6. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    I could use some help for my final decision:

    A) Firmino, King, Costa
    B) Firmino Kamara, Mkhi
    C) King, Mitrovic, Siggy

    1. noahzark22
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      C

    4. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

  7. Tornado
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    How long is Valencia out for?

    Should we consider darmian over shaw?

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I asked about Darmian last night.
      Consensus was he’s not likely to hold a spot any longer than Shaw, and might have less longevity if Young fills in for Tony V.

    2. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      he wants to leave and im pretty sure they will find a way for him to do so with a transfer or a loan, wouldn't count on him being there

  8. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    "best" 4.0 GK for set and forget starter? does it matter?

    1. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Either the understudy like Norris from Wolves if you're picking Patricio or maybe Hamer as there's a tiny chance he may actually play

      1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        cheers.

    2. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I’m going Hamer. Although with DdG starting does it really matter?

      1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        no, no it doesnt. (ederson)

  9. Viper
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    A. Rotate 2x 4.5m goalkeepers & Mitrovic

    B. Play 1x 4.5m every week with non playing gkp & Zaha

    1. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B

  10. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    11.5m to spend on 2 premium defenders as things stand.

    Who’s it gonna be?

    VvD & Bailly

    1. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Robertson & PVA

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Like it

    2. Garth Marenghi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Coukd also double up from a team if possible.

    3. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      PVA and Luiz

  11. Yav
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    I've got 6.5m to spend on a defender, any suggestions? (already have Robertson & Mendy). Thanks.

    1. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Azpilicueta is as reliable as they come but I think I'd go with PVA and pocket the 1.0m

      1. Yav
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I’d use those two with 2 rotating 4.5’s and use the other 2m elsewhere

      1. Yav
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. Was considering Alonso but put off a little by the positional change under Sarri.

  12. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Two quick questions:

    1. Shaw and Doherty/Tomkins OR Luiz and Peltier (other defenders Jags Mendy and AWB

    2. Best 7m forward? (Zaha/Arnie/Tosun)

    Thanks.

    1. Yav
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Shaw, Tomkins & Zaha.

    2. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Shaw Doherty and stick a pin in it

  13. Costa in Wengerland
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Jota or Townsend

    Both have been excellent in pre-season

    1. Yav
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Jota.

    2. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Jota by the length of the straight.

    3. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      im on jota but townsend has defs flown under the radar of everyone

  14. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Dead cert that Kepa Arrizabalaga comes in at 5.5, right? Pity... Schmeichel or Pickford would've been lovely at 5.0 for the Chels.

    1. Yav
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yup, 5.5m

  15. JasonG123
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Why has Zahafallen out of favour?

    1. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      might move, if hes got his heart set on it can wreck a player... not looking at you Saido Berahino

  16. Aussiemilan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Not seeing any teams with Begovic apart from mine here, am I missing something obvious?

    Fixtures don't look too bad to me and he scored decent in a bad team last year

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Bournemouth are an attacking team that rarely get clean sheets. I just think there are better options in that 4.5 range.

      1. Viper
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Like who?

        Fabianskis first fixture really is putting me off and Fosters turn sour very quick

        1. yakirh
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I'm rotating Foster with Patricio

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Really sh1te defence better options available.

    3. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I've got him. And I always pick shite keepers.

  17. Big Fudge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Best midfield combo that can be made with 12m?

    Also curious on how nailed Martial and Mata are for the start of the season. Cheers lads :]

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I went Pedro + Fraser.

    2. +
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Gross and Cairney

    3. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Martial couldn't be any further from nailed. Mata should start the first 1 or 2 but he's not going to be an option for long

    4. Podge
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A bit more nailed when pogba legs it

  18. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Just finished my first draft league draft of two an hour ago. Kid you not...

    Alisson
    Mendy Robertson Davies TAA
    Mahrez Mane Pedro Richarlison
    Aguero Wilson

    Hart Maddisson Benteke PVA

    Magic!!!

    1. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      4 pool!! How possible?

      1. tafrère
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        4 players allowed in Draft leagues.

        1. Stupendous
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Good to know for my ML tomorrow!!

          Love it!!! Back to the watchlist to highlight every blue and pool player

  19. Raunaq Scholesy
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Please share your thoughts on this team!
    Hart/Fabianski
    Mendy Robertson Shaw
    Sané Salah Richarlison Hughes
    Aguero Firmino King

    Subs : Cairney, Wan-B, Peltier

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Hart is the only one that hasn’t been in my team at some stage so good to go

    2. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team..
      thoughts about Hughes ?

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Please post this in the latest RMT article 🙂
      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/06/rmt-collection-niemi/

  20. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    I am still torn between deeney and gray.
    Deeney has pens but Gray seems to offer more then Deeney.

    1. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Who is more nailed ?!

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I was getting mixed messages it seems garcia is going to play the two up top.
        But a watford fan (on here I think) told me that Deeney looks like he is less certain this year.
        Yet in pre-season both looked good and played lots of minutes.
        I think thier three fixtures are great.
        But even I am not mad enough to pick the two of them!

        1. Totalfootball
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks

    2. Helia
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I prefer gray as his the better player, Without pens, Deeney is useless

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly it is the pens thing that has me overthinking it.

    3. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Gray can be very good on his day, id go with him

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Also having images of Gray bombing past players I can see him running riot against any of the next three with that pace.
        You convinced me aussie I will stick with him.

  21. jimmy.floyd
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez Zaha
    Or
    Kun Jota

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Tough one but I think you need Aguero right now.

    2. Podge
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Kun and whoever, I don’t trust jota yet

    3. Helia
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Kun and jota

    4. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Kun and Jota easily

    5. Raunaq Scholesy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero ftw

  22. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Please rank for first 6 weeks:
    1) King
    2) Mitrovic
    3) Arnie
    4)Zaha

    1. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      2 , 3 , 4 , 1

    2. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      4 1 3 2

    3. Helia
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      1, 2, 3, 4

    4. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      4, 1, 2, 3

    5. Podge
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Be surprised if any of them break 25

      1. Helia
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        For the season?

        1. Podge
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          6 weeks

    6. Raunaq Scholesy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      King Mitro Zaha Arnie

    7. Krafty Werks
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      1,4,3,2

  23. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    2 questions -

    1) Charlie Austin nailed ?
    2) Christian Benteke as an option ?

    1. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      1) No

      2) I think he is but was shot down pretty quick when I mentioned it 🙂

  24. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Which would you prefer?
    A) Mane & King +1.0itb
    Or
    B) Bilva & Firmino

    Thanks

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A for me.

    2. Helia
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B for me

    4. Raunaq Scholesy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

  25. Helia
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    How important is that bench spot? I do really prefer siggy

    A) Richarlison, Costa (5.0) (bench) 0.5 itb
    B) Sigurdsson, 4.5 0itb.

    1. tafrère
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B

  26. pleccy
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Has Jonty changed his name to Joe???

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      well his name was always joe, he has decided to use his real name now

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yes 🙂

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      He was always Joe. Jonty was his pseudonym.

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        he is the head of the scoutcast now, he needs to be professional

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          He's better as the witty guest spouting the classic one liners rather than the nervy, soft speaking host.

          1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I think he is better then mark more suited to the presenter roll.
            Joe is a journo by pofession he is good at teasing out questions and keeping control of the debate.
            There will be no more winging it!

    4. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      What is happening here?
      Mark disappears and Jonty becomes Joe

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe mark killed Jonty and this Joe fella (with four point hits) is just an imposter ? 😀

        Kinda the beatles with Paul McCartney!

    5. pleccy
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks!

  27. Scheister
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    5.5 for 3rd Def:
    Luiz, Shaw, or Bellerin?

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      PVA

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I have the a similar problem hence why I asked about palace wing back below

    3. Aussiemilan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Luiz, Bellerin in gw3

  28. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    May I ask why Van Aanholt is so popular on here when his previous season points return isn't so great? Is it purely because he plays wing back and had a good pre season or is there more to it? Cheers in advance

    1. Scheister
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I agree. Overrated.

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      The way he and Palace ended last season... he was a beast. That form has continued in pre-season. I think he was injured before that but you'd have to check.

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers for your replies guys i'll look into that

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          did you get him? he's looking good so far

  29. +
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Essentially have room for a £7.0 player anywhere on the park. Who scores the most points GWs 1-6?

    a) Azpi
    b) Gross
    c) King

    1. Winners900
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Lol, I wonder on the same from that pricepacket

      Got

      Luiz/Davies/Bailly/Coleman vs Jota/Walcott

      I would pick King from those

      1. +
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        If Rose leaves I may get Ben Davies and pocket the cash

  30. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Pick 2 of these please ?

    a) king
    b) zaha
    c) arnie

    Tnks guys.

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      definitely B

      1. Helia
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Why definitely? Wish I knew any of my decisions were definitely right on this game.

        You probably haven’t played this game much 🙂

    2. MFPL
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A & C

    3. Viper
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A & B

    4. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Going A and B from the start

    5. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      AC?!

    6. NestorC
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      AB

    7. Krafty Werks
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      ab

    8. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A and C so far

    9. All about the Mané
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      AB

    10. Costa in Wengerland
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B and C

    11. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A and C