Scout Picks

Gameweek 12 Scout Picks – Double coverage for Liverpool midfield

Double investment in Liverpool’s midfield is advised in Gameweek 12’s edition of the Scout Picks.

We have painstakingly gone over the squad of players chosen by our panel of Paul, Joe, Az and Peter earlier this week to find a final XI.

After making some tough choices we have a side that comes in at £81.70m, with some room to spare within our budget of £83m.

Goalkeeper

Mat Ryan (£4.5m) gets the goalkeeper jersey this week after being tipped by three of our pundits. Peter was the only one not to name-check the Brighton shot-stopper. Ryan was only chosen as the best option by Az, with Lukasz Fabianski actually receiving the highest number of top picks, but we’ve decided to cover the West Ham defence elsewhere.

Defenders

Andrew Robertson was selected as the best defender by three of our panel this week, with Az opting for Joe Gomez instead of the Scot. However, with reports in the media suggesting that Robertson has been training on his own and not with the main group we’ve decided to go for a Liverpool defender more assured of a start in Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m). The Reds have conceded just one goal at Anfield all season and this week they face a Fulham attack that has found the net just twice in their last four away matches.

Ben Chilwell (£5.1m) gets the nod ahead of Leicester’s big home match against Burnley. It is the Foxes’ first at the King Power Stadium since the tragic passing of chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha last month. Only Manchester City and Liverpool have allowed fewer chances than Leicester in home matches so far this season while Burnley rank bottom of the league for shots on target in the last four Gameweeks. Furthermore, Chilwell has some exciting offensive potential with two assists in his last three matches.

Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m) is chosen as the West Ham cover this week as Manuel Pellegrini’s men travel to face goal shy Huddersfield Town. The Terriers have scored just one home goal all season and still have none from open play in front of their supporters. Meanwhile, Balbuena himself ranks third best among defenders for shots in the box so far this season so carries some goal threat.

Kiko Femenia (£4.2m) goes into our Scout Picks XI primarily to save us the money for particularly lavish spending in the attacking areas. However, Watford defence was still well-represented amongst our pundits with three of them selecting Ben Foster and two choosing Jose Holebas for their squads. The Hornets travel to a Southampton side with just one goal in their last six Premier League matches.

Midfielders

Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) was unanimously chosen as the best midfield option by our panel this week. It’s easy to see why as Liverpool host Fulham on Sunday, the side with the division’s worst defence so far this season. The Egyptian is streaks ahead on our current captain poll for Gameweek 12, having averaged 8.4 points per game at Anfield in 2018/19.

Alongside Salah is his colleague Sadio Mané (£9.8m) as our Scout Squad panel encouraged double Liverpool offensive coverage. Such is their faith in the Fulham defence which has conceded more goals than any other side season (29), having allowed more shots on target than every Premier League club apart from Burnley in the first 11 matches. Meanwhile, Mané may have struggled of late but is still averaging eight points per game at Anfield.

Eden Hazard (£11.3m) should be back in the starting line-up for Chelsea this weekend after getting a 62-minute run-around in the Europa League on Thursday night. Even though he has featured as a substitute twice at Stamford Bridge this season, Hazard has attacking returns in all but one of his displays in front of his own set of fans in 2018/19. For that reason, we are backing him to deliver once again, especially considering that Everton are averaging 1.8 goals conceded per away match so far.

David Brooks (£5.1m) was not actually mentioned by our Scout Squad panel but he has been selected by his namesake as an enabler. With so many premium assets squeezed into the squad, we needed a cheap midfield option with decent form and a fixture to boot. Brooks fits that bill quite nicely with three goals in his last five appearances and a trip to Newcastle in Gameweek 12, who have allowed the third worst number of big chances in home matches so far this season. Also, with Josh King still a doubt for Bournemouth, there’s every chance the Welshman could feature up front again.

Forwards

Such is the quality of Sergio Aguero (£11.4m) that he has made it into the Scout Picks XI despite facing a fixture that might look tougher on paper than it may prove in reality. For starters, the Manchester City forward is yet to blank at home this season and has seven goals in his last eight Premier League meetings with Manchester United. Aguero should get the full 90 minutes in this match after completing the 6-1 win over Southampton, and he is going up against a United defence with just one clean sheet this season. That’s why he got the top pick from Az and Peter while being tipped as the second-best choice by Joe.

Marko Arnautovic (£7.1m) rounds off our starting XI by earning himself a second consecutive appearance. He rewarded our faith last week with a 12-point haul in the win over Burnley and we feel he will be on the scoresheet when West Ham travel to Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon. Alvaro Morata is the only player to have recorded more shots on target than the Austrian in the last four Gameweeks. Furthermore, on his last visit to the John Smith’s Stadium, Arnautovic came away with a goal and two assists.

Substitutes

Kieran Trippier (£6.3m) nearly made an appearance in the Scout Picks selection after receiving backing from all four of our pundits. The Tottenham right-back has shown great consistency this season, recording one of either defensive or attacking returns in seven of his 10 Premier League appearances since Gameweek 2. This week Spurs travel to face a Crystal Palace side with just two goals in five home matches so far. However, he was a little too expensive to fit in and we worry a little about the Spurs defence after a shaky finish at Molineux in Gameweek 11.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m) has three goal involvements in as many away matches for Burnley and seems the most likely to do well for them in Gameweek 12. His set-piece responsibilities underpin his appeal and his style of play means he does well for bonus too, collecting five in his last five matches.

Joe’s man Danny Ings (£5.5m) rounds off our list of substitutes given his impressive individual figures over recent weeks. The Southampton man has actually had more shots in the box and efforts on target than Salah and is the only Saint to have actually scored in the last six Gameweeks. A home match against a Watford side with just one away clean sheet thus far seems the perfect opportunity for Ings to continue his run.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 12 is Sam Goddard aka Boleyn Boy. He has opted for a 3-4-3 formation of Schmeichel; Bellerin, Rudiger, Mendy; J. Murphy (Cardiff), Salah, Ozil, Anderson; Ings, Kane, Firmino.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

The Scouts have won seven and lost four so far, with Mince n Tatties losing out 50-37 in Gameweek 11.

fclackless‘s winning margin of 33 points (77-44) in Gameweek 10 is the current target to beat.

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4,194 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MarkoSD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    ryan goes to asia cup?

  2. Mr.Vuvuzela
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Is Aguero and Maddison to Arnie and Sterling for a hit a way to go? Feels crazy getting out Aguero when he was rested midweek.

    1. MarkoSD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      not good idea

  3. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Start Rich or Diangana if i bring him in?

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      rich still i thjink

    2. skihouse78
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I’ve gone with Diangana as not sure a

    3. skihouse78
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Reply fail:
      Not sure that a potentially partially fit rich will return vs a relatively tight Chelsea? Minutes may be an issue too

  4. MarkoSD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    what to do? 2ft, 0.2m itb

    ederson stekele
    digne doherty awb vvd alonso
    salah billing richa fraser hazard
    kun kamara arny

    a. if everything is ok, maybe somebody instead of stekele?
    b. ederson digne to ryan laporte? (but maybe ryan goes to asia cup)

  5. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    1ft, 0.1m itb, WC in hand

    Fabianski
    Alonso - Mendy - Chilwell
    Salah[c] - Hazard[vc] - Richarlison - Fraser
    Aguero - Arnautovic - King

    Patricio - Doherty - Digne - Hudson-Odoi

    is bench order and starting 11 in order.With 2 attacking defenders on the bench for cover is it gtg??

  6. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    is there anything on robbo that we need to be aware of?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Specualtion about him not training yesterday and usual potential rest/rotation etc

  7. vujicicbgdn
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski
    Robbo Trippier Duffy
    Hazzard Murphy Sterling Fraser
    Kun Arnie Murray

    Patricio Siggy Doherty WB

    Swap Sterling for Mane for -4 or let it be? Thanks

    1. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Nah

  8. Turbo Timo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Kane - stick or ship?
    Always tempted to let him go but he scored last week and 2 in the CL. But Spurs didn't play very well otherwise.
    But Alli and Eriksen are back too, so I'm really confused.

    1. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Tricky, think he will start scoring and from gw15 great fixtures are coming

  9. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    2ft 0,4 itb - dont really are any urgent fixing?
    Is robbo to vvd an good option? (Thinking both long term and also free up some money to upgrade ings later).

    Fab
    Mendy Alonso robbo
    Mane haz Dilva Rich
    Kun arnie ings

    Bego, camarasa, Doherty awb

    1. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good. Yep, or Mendy to Laporte would also free up funds for an Ings upgrade.

  10. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Ryan button
    Alonso Robertson Mendy Doherty AWB
    Hazard maddison Salah Brooks hojberg
    Aguero Jimenez Arnie

    0.4ITB 1 FT

    A-maddison to lamela
    B- Maddison to Anderson
    C-Save
    D- maddison to gudmundsson

    1. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I would save

  11. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski (Stekelenburg)
    Alonso, Mendy, Robertson (Wan-Bissaka, Bennett)
    Hazard, Mane, Madison, Richarlison (Stephens)
    Aguero, Arnautovic, Wilson

    2FT, 2.6 in bank

    A) Madison -> Martial

    B) Madison, Mendy, Robertson -> Sterling, Laporte, Lovren (-4)

  12. Call of Guti
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Hi Friends

    WC is active

    Ryan / Button
    RAM / WB / Bennett
    Mane / Hazard / Rich / Diangana / Tony M
    Arne / Kun / Wilson

    Get me to Chrimbo you reckon?

  13. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    PLay

    Holebas (saints away)
    Or Duffy (car away)

    Thanks

  14. Hermanos FC
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski
    Robertson Alonso Mendy
    Maddison Fraser Mane Hazard Richarlison
    Aguero Arnie

    Patricio Jimenez WB Cedric

    Best replacement for Maddison with 7.1 m or less is....

  15. Hermanos FC
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Captain??
    Hazard
    Mane

  16. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Get ahead of the curve people- Kane (c)

  17. And nothing else Mata'…
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Josh Murphy
    B) Martial
    C) Sigurdsson

    Additional question:
    Martial or Sigurdsson to Shaquiri for a hit(-4); yes or no and who of two?

    Thank you and have a great GW

  18. And nothing else Mata'…
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    srry for repost, bottomed and don't know what to do, please help:

    Bench one:

    A) Josh Murphy
    B) Martial
    C) Sigurdsson

    Additional question:
    Martial or Sigurdsson to Shaquiri for a hit(-4); yes or no and who of two?

    Thank you and have a great GW

  19. Tamsski
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Mitrov for Arnie? Good deal?

    And
    Maddison for?
    I have hazard, murphy, richar, gudmun.

    1. Devils-Red
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I would get martial for maddy if there’s enough ITB. If not, I would probably take a punt on Anderson.

    2. Tamsski
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Okay thanks, cheers

  20. Bunk Moreland
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    At 5,9, would you pick Laporte (MUN, whu, BOU, wat, che) or VVD (FUL wat EVE bur bou)?

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I am really uncertain as City seem to have stronger form and can also allow themselves to focus more on the league as they are pretty much through from the CL.

      On the other hand, van Dijk finally seems to be getting in the box and their fixtures look better.

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Depends entirely on Citeh and Pool cover you already have.

  21. And nothing else Mata'…
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Bench Martial or Sigurdsson?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Neither

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Martial art.

  22. Raul7
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Ryan
    Robertson mendy kiko
    Mane sterling barkley siggurdson fraser
    Aguero Arnautovic murray

    Want to get a midfielder for this week only ! Plzz help

    Also, whom should i captain this week
    Thanks in advance ! Cheers

  23. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play?

    A. Josh Murphy
    B. Kennedy

  24. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?
    Banking 1 FT. 0.3 ITB.

    Play Murphy(BHA) or Richarlison(Chelsea)?

    Fabianski
    Alonso Robbo Trippier Mendy
    Salah Hazard Richarlison
    Aguero Arnie Wilson

    Murphy Obiang Bennett

  25. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Captain Hazard or Mane?

    Thanks a lot!