Scout Squad

The Scout Squad: FPL Gameweek 14

The Scout Squad crew return to offer their long-list of candidates to be considered for our regular Scout Picks selection.

The 72 nominations will be whittled down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding £83m) ahead of the earlier-than-usual Gameweek 14 deadline at 19:00 GMT on Friday.

Our regular panel of long-term site contributors, Paul, Joe and Az, plus the man with three top 300 finishes to his name, Peter Kouwenberg, expand on their notable selections and omissions in the article below.

The quartet have expensive tastes: the three most expensive Fantasy Premier League midfielders and the game’s costliest defender have all received four votes each.

If they are to make the cut for the Scout Squad tomorrow then savings must be made elsewhere, so the nomination of various Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers assets could come in handy.

PaulJoeAzPeter
GKRui PatricioWayne HennesseyWayne HennesseyMathew Ryan
Wayne HennesseyJonas LosslJonas LosslMartin Dubravka
Jonas LosslLukasz FabianskiLukasz FabianskiJonas Lossl
DFMarcos AlonsoMarcos AlonsoMarcos AlonsoMarcos Alonso
Andrew RobertsonAymeric LaportePatrick van AanholtTrent Alexander-Arnold
Matt DohertyAndrew RobertsonAndrew RobertsonMatt Doherty
Patrick van AanholtAaron Wan-BissakaMatt DohertyJames Tomkins
Christopher SchindlerMatt DohertyBen ChilwellChristopher Schindler
MFRaheem SterlingEden HazardRaheem SterlingLeroy Sane
Mohamed SalahRaheem SterlingLeroy SaneEden Hazard
Leroy SaneMohamed SalahEden HazardMohamed Salah
Eden HazardAnthony MartialMohamed SalahRaheem Sterling
Callum PatersonAaron MooyAnthony MartialAnthony Martial
FWSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio Aguero
Marko ArnautovicHarry KaneHarry KaneMarko Arnautovic
Raul JimenezJamie VardyMarko ArnautovicRaul Jimenez
Roberto FirminoSteve MounieJamie VardyWilfried Zaha
Wilfried ZahaRaul JimenezOlivier GiroudSalomon Rondon

Most popular picks: Jonas Lossl, Marcos Alonso, Matt Doherty, Mohamed Salah, Eden Hazard, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero (four), Wayne Hennessey, Andrew Robertson, Leroy Sane, Anthony Martial, Raul Jimenez, Marko Arnautovic (three)

Paul said…

Finding a balance between Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea’s big-hitters will be the key to our Scout Picks in Gameweek 14, as all three have favourable home fixtures.

Seeking out one or two budget enablers will be equally vital and I reckon Christopher Schindler and Callum Paterson could come in handy this weekend.

Schindler has stolen under the radar ahead of a visit from Brighton.

Down to just £4.3m, he has 32 points in the last six Gameweeks and has earned at least two bonus points each time Huddersfield have claimed a clean sheet.

At £5.2m, Paterson could merit consideration if we opt to ignore the Wolves defence.

Moved up front for Cardiff, his total of 13 shots in the box is second only to Mohamed Salah (14) among midfielders in the last six Gameweeks.

Crystal Palace’s home clash with porous Burnley could also bring Patrick van Aanholt and Wilfried Zaha back into the points.

The Dutchman’s seven efforts on goal in the last four Gameweeks is ranked second among defenders, while Zaha’s eight key passes is top for forwards.

That’s all the more impressive when you consider their opponents were Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester United, and suggests they can profit against the Clarets on Saturday afternoon.

Joe said…

After a punishing set of matches, the fixture list has finally turned in Crystal Palace’s favour, starting with an enticing home tie against Burnley.

I’m hoping the Scout Picks takes advantage of this by deploying one, or maybe both, of Eagles stopper Wayne Hennessey and full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

With three clean sheets during the London side’s strong start, a defensive double-up could be a smart move, with both this pair also favoured by the bonus points system.

Huddersfield also look a great team for bargain hunting for when Brighton drop by. Should Hennessey not find favour among my colleagues I’m hoping that Terriers stopper Jonas Lossl gets the nod, with two shutouts in his last three matches.

Their forward Steve Mounie’s assist against Wolves in Gameweek 13 has also caught my eye, as has his underlying statistics. The Benin international is joint-top for on-target headed goal attempts, while the Seagulls have the second-worst record for conceding headed shots on the road, with only Burnley proving more obliging.

I’ll no doubt be accused of points-chasing by including Huddersfield’s Aaron Mooy, who scored a brace against Wolves last time out. But the Australian’s penalty-taking duties could see him earn another haul this weekend, given that Brighton have conceded a record three spot-kicks.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matt Doherty and Raul Jiminez offer further savings, away to a Cardiff side with just one clean sheet at the Cardiff City Stadium and among the five poorest performers in terms of on-target shots at home.

Money saved here means there should be plenty to spare to take advantage of Chelsea’s strong home match with Fulham and Manchester City’s hosting of Bournemouth.

Given only Burnley have conceded more shots than the Cherries over the last quartet of fixtures, both Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero could be required here.

In addition, Mohamed Salah at home to Everton looks a great option, as does Harry Kane in the north London derby. The Spurs striker is top for shots and on-target efforts over the last four Gameweeks and has scored five times in his last six league encounters with the Gunners.

Az said…

And so it begins, the Christmas madness. With Manchester City’s relentless form and a plethora of options, as well as the fixture swings for both Arsenal and Tottenham, things are going to get very interesting.

I’ve unsurprisingly gone all-out on the City attack, mostly to cover all bases as who knows who is going to start on Saturday. Anyone who plays looks set to do some real damage to Bournemouth and with Raheem Sterling‘s great record against them, I’m backing him to inflict some more misery on Eddie Howe’s men, who after such a good start have now lost their last couple of games in a row.

A few weeks ago, Chelsea v Fulham looked like it could be a massacre. But with the Blues sticking with Alvaro Morata and off the back of a humiliating defeat to Spurs – plus the ‘Ranieri’ effect – I’m wondering if this will be as straightforward as it might appear on paper. Add in an injury doubt to their key man, Eden Hazard, and things aren’t looking so rosy. Whatever happens though, you wouldn’t back against Marcos Alonso in this one. If he doesn’t make the Scout Picks, I riot.

Up front, Jamie Vardy has good fixtures and surely Maurizio Sarri will turn to Olivier Giroud and not persist with Mr Offside any more. I think if he plays, and plays well, he could be a strong option over Christmas as he looks to become the key man up front.

Elsewhere, Harry Kane has a great record in London derbies and seems to be hitting some form. I was tempted to go for him in the top spot over Sergio Aguero, but I’ll stick with Kun.

Marko Arnautovic makes a mid-table appearance in my picks. I’m still a bit unsure over his injury, so I think he’ll either play 90 minutes or won’t be in the squad. Time to strengthen those benches…

Peter said…

Fair play to you if your FPL side’s midfield matches my chosen five this week, with the three most-expensive midfield marauders joining a Frenchman (Anthony Martial) and a German (Leroy Sane) for a combined value of over well over half most players’ budget.

There are going to have to be some fairly drastic concessions elsewhere in the side to get even close to financial viability, particularly with Sergio Aguero and Marcos Alonso on the wishlist. The north London derby is therefore way out of my pay grade, despite Harry Kane hinting at a return to goalscoring form.

A recent Scout article suggested that (possibly) reports of Wolves’ defensive demise are premature and Matt Doherty’s underlying statistics (most shots on target and the second-highest number of chances created over the last six Gameweeks) have convinced me to hold onto the Irishman.

Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have both mustered a couple of shots on target in that period but the Englishman is cheaper and has created more chances (six) too, so he also makes the cut in my budget-friendly defence.

Chris Lowe would have got the nod as Huddersfield’s defender of choice, with the Terriers conceding the joint fewest number of big chances (six) as Manchester City in the last six Gameweeks. Injury doubts, however, mean that Christopher Schindler makes the cut, albeit with a reduced goal threat. Similarly, I would rather have benefitted from Patrick van Aanholt’s attacking threat against a Burnley side which looks abject at both ends of the pitch but have instead installed the forgotten man, James Tomkins, as a cheaper alternative.

Joining Aguero in my strikers’ selection is an affordable trio of front-men who face the most vulnerable opponents. Newcastle (17), Cardiff (21) and Burnley (24) have conceded the most big chances recently and Marko Arnautovic and Raul Jimenez have reasonable underlying statistics. And then there’s Wilfried Zaha

Next on the list for big chances conceded are Jose Mourinho’s men and, with the visiting Saints firing more shots on target recently (32) than any side bar the two Manchester clubs, there is at least an argument that Danny Ings (if fit) should sneak into the fifth spot. However, even with United’s well-documented defensive frailties, it feels somehow disrespectful to call up a striker from a team in the relegation zone as they travel to Old Trafford, so instead, Salomon Rondon makes a rueful appearance in fifth place.

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1,096 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Just got enough lovely money to do the following:

    Paterson, Fraser, Kun -> Camarasa, Sterling, Zaha

    Ryan
    Alonso, Robbo, Laporte, Doherty
    Haz, Salah, Sterling
    Arnie, Zaha, Jimenez

    Button, Rich, Camarasa, Balbuena

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      For -4 or-8?

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Just a cheeky -4

    2. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      That's the almost the same squad I have so looks good to me 😉

  2. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    What is the latest status with the FFS cups ? Have I missed an article or something with the next game week draws ?

    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      FFS Pleb Cup First Round was GW13

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, but has there been a results article and GW14 draw ?

  3. simong1
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    RMT please. 2FT & 0.8 ITB.

    Ryan – Button
    Robertson – Alonso – Laporte – Doherty – Bennett
    Salah – Hazard – Richarlison – Fraser – Hjobjerg
    Aguero – Wilson – Success

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      7/10

    2. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      5/10

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

    Would you rather

    A) Mane to Sterling
    B) Fraser and Rich to Sane and 4.5m mid on the bench (-4)

    Cheers

  5. Fantasy 11
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Good to go this week? Thanks

    Fab
    Alonso Doherty Robertson AWB
    Hazard(C) Salah Sterling Richarlison
    Kun Jimenez

    Hamer Bennett Hojberg Success

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

      Nice 11 but time to have a bench

    2. UnitedFan51
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Looks great. Impressive team value.

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

    Patricio/Fab
    Alonso Robbo Doherty Wanb Digne
    Fraser Sterling Salah Richa Martial
    Ings laca Arnie

    GW 15 Salah laca to kane Sane?

    As much as I like Kane fixtures, I am not sure about him as in other years.

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

    Best max. 5,2£ mid?

    1. Brooks
    2. Paterson
    3. Elso, who?

  8. discobiscuits
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Hi All,

    Is there anybody from this team selection that I should replace with Arnie?

    Patricio
    Robertson / Doherty / Trent / Alonso / AWB
    Sterling / Martial / DSilva
    Aguero / Jiminez

    Bench: Ryan / Felipe Anderson / Arnautovic / Richarlison

    Thanks a million!

  9. ProtrudingNip
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed
    2FT 0m in the bank

    Would love some advice on my next move.

    Fabianski / McCarthy

    Alonso / Robertson / Gomez / Wan-Bissaka / Bennett

    Hazard / Pereyra / Mané / Fraser / Sigurdsson

    Wilson / Agüero / Arnie

    Thanks in Advance 🙂

  10. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Pretty poor last game week but do I save the FT and give the team another chance?

    £1.2m ITB. 1FT

    Enderson (Hamer)
    Robbo Alonso Doherty AWB (Digne)
    Sahah Haz Rich Fraser (Diangana)
    Kun (c) Arnie (Kamara)

    Alternatively- Still got the wild card which could be played next week, opening up the possibility of a one week punt this week.

  11. Blens
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Dreadful week last week and definitely WC for GW15...but what do you think are my options this week.

    Patricio Beg
    Alonso Robertson Doherty W-B Kabasele
    Salah Rich Maddison Pereyra Milner
    Arni Aguero Wilson

    IFT 1.3ITB

    I know my mid is week and will sort in my WC after the weekend. But what options for this?

    a) Wilson for Zaha
    b) Milner for Fernandinho
    c) I"m struggling guys - help

  12. Will101810
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Wildcarding, G2G?

    Fab/Hennessey
    Alonso/Doherty/Digne/Balbuena/AWB
    Sterling/Sane/Hazard/Rich/Camerasa
    Aguero/Arnie/Jimenez

    Will move Hazard+Aguero --> Kane + Alli/Son/Silva (-4) next week.
    Bit worried about no Liverpool

    1. SlowStart
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe try to fit TAA in to strengthen def?

  13. I Have No Idea What I'…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    I have 2 transfers banked and no spare cash, but who should I be looking to sign/sell?

    Ederson Hamer
    Alonso WanBissaka Robertson Cook Doherty
    Mane Siggy Neves Anderson Pereyra
    Aguero Kane Wilson

    Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

    1. SlowStart
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Pereyra or Neves imo

  14. Nerazzuro
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    A) Ings -> Jimenez
    B) Brooks -> Felipe Anderson

    1. SlowStart
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    Can give a suggestion or comment?Patricio
    TAA,Doherty,PVA,Doherty,Rudiger
    Salah(C),Sane,Pereyra,Silva
    Arnie
    Sub: Ryan,Neves,Wilson,Murray

  16. jazzy30
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Does Hazard+Richarlison to Sterling+Felipe anderson for a -4 seem good ??

    1. norwegian-forest-cats
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      No not really. I wouldn’t ditch hazard ahead of Fulham at home.

  17. DukeBen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Patricio or Ryan for GK this week? Have Doherty and Bennett already on the field in defence for Wolves.

    1. norwegian-forest-cats
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Go Ryan for fun.

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Ryan

  18. Claudio555
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Start Bennett (against Cardiff) or Mitro (against Chelsea) this gw?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Bennett

  19. The King
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Reckon hazard will play?

  20. fearghal1986
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Is it worth taking a punt on giroud? Any chance he'll start??

  21. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Is Sterling (C) Hazard(VC) risky as both may not play? Switch my VC to someone nailed?

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard will play, and still has 38.7% ownership.

  22. koppite1210
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    After some help guys.
    1) Wilson, Gudmundsson > 4.3 & Dilva
    2) Wilson, Gudmundsson, Doherty > 4.3, Sane, Schindler (-4)

  23. Gautham931
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Can't decide between Jimenez and Murray? Gut says Murray is the better goal scorer (7 vs. 3) though xG is similar (Murray over achieving and Jimenez under achieving?). Also Jimenez has more touches in the opponent half, more shots, etc. Also heatmap suggests Murray is much less central compared to Jimenez, which was bit of a shock. Also, Jimenez helps me accomodate Alonso over David Luiz.

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

    I have 1.1 in the bank
    Patricio
    Robertson Alonso Laporte
    Gudmundsson Hazard Mane Richarlison
    Jimenez Aguero Arnie

    Fabianski Fraser Cedric WB

    Please suggest a change!!!!

    1. ArmadaDubai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard or Mane out, Sterling in.

  25. ArmadaDubai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    I have been mulling things over for days and I am still no closer to deciding which of these moves makes more sense:
    Doherty - Holebas - Maddison out Sterling - Wan Bissaka - (any super cheap defender) for a -8 hit
    Salah - Maddison out Sterling - Hazard in for a -4 hit
    Salah - Maddison out Sterling - Sane in for a -4 hit

    Any wise input from the community?

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

    Welcome to my team sane

  27. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Breaking news - Fellaini is not Maradona. 🙂