Scout Picks

Gameweek 17 Scout Picks – Heavy hitters among forwards

The Scout Picks are going big up-front in Gameweek 17 with two premium forwards selected.

We’ve gone over the roster submitted by our pundits for the latest Scout Squad article in order to pick an XI under £83m.

This week we’ve gone for a 4-3-3 formation…

Goalkeeper

After receiving more top-spot recommendations than any other goalkeeper among the pundits this week, Ben Foster (£4.5m) claims the number one jersey for the Scout Picks. Paul and Neale were his biggest fans for Gameweek 17 with Peter also giving him a mention. Watford host a Cardiff City side with fewer away goals than any other Premier League club so far this season. For once, a Hornets clean sheet looks on the cards.

Defenders

Marcos Alonso (£7.0m) comes back into the Scout Picks XI for the first time since Gameweek 14. Chelsea travel to Brighton on the back of their morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Manchester City, and will be hoping to replicate their last visit to the Amex Stadium when they left as 4-0 winners. Only two sides have allowed more chances down the right flank in home matches this season, so Alonso could have the opportunity to exploit that weakness and potentially get defensive returns too.

Ben Davies (£5.6m) looks likely to be selected at left-back against Burnley with Danny Rose playing the full 90 minutes in Barcelona on Tuesday night. For that reason, we’ve chosen him for the Scout Picks with a clean sheet a strong possibility at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Burnley have the lowest goal conversion rate in the last four Gameweeks, which means Spurs’ defence should go largely untroubled.

Matt Doherty (£5.1m) is almost the first name on the Scout Picks team-sheet every week these days. His goal against Newcastle in Gameweek 16 was his third attacking return in as many matches and he is still recording underlying statistics that suggest his form is sustainable. No defender has more shots on goal than Doherty this season, only one has more in the box while next opponents Bournemouth are joint-bottom for shots allowed in the penalty box since Gameweek 13.

Chris Löwe (£4.4m) primarily comes into the Scout Picks as a budget enabler, at the behest of Neale, but he does show some promise for points too. Huddersfield host a goal-shy Newcastle side in Gameweek 17 and have tightened up at the back themselves. In fact, the number of big chances they have conceded in their last four home matches is just one fewer than defending champions Manchester City. Meanwhile, Löwe has been involved in free-kicks and corners this season and will be more central to them with Aaron Mooy out injured. Thankfully for Huddersfield, Newcastle remain the side with the worst defensive record from set pieces in 2018/19.

Midfielders

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) comes back into the Scout Picks on the back of being chosen as the top midfield option by both Paul and Joe. 90 minutes in the Champions League didn’t put either of them off, nor Peter who chose him as the secondary option. While his start is not set in stone the current injury problems at Manchester City may force Pep Guardiola’s to play the Englishman from the start. Sterling has five goals and three assists in his last five Etihad starts.

Felipe Anderson (£7.3m) emerged from this week’s Scout Squad article with a similar backing to Sterling. Peter and Neale chose him as the best midfield option, Joe chose him at second choice, Paul fourth. With five goals and an assist in his last six matches, it’s easy to see why he is so popular. With the leaky Fulham defence up next and a mix of goal threat and creativity, we are predicting a continuation of Anderson’s form in Gameweek 17.

Watford’s hosting of Cardiff this weekend has also shaped our midfield with Roberto Pereyra (£6.2m) making another appearance. Only one midfield player had more shots than him in Gameweek 16, which bodes well for the Bluebirds’ trip to Hertfordshire. Neil Warnock’s men have conceded an average of 2.1 goals per away game this season and with Pereyra offering a great threat, he’s an easy choice. The Argentinian was name-checked by three of our Scout Squad pundits.

Forwards

Harry Kane (£12.6m) gets a third successive inclusion in the Scout Picks ahead of Spurs’ Gameweek 17 hosting of Burnley. Despite that rest against Leicester, only one player has had more shots on target than him in the last four Gameweeks. Meanwhile, the Clarets have allowed the joint-most goal attempts in the penalty box since Gameweek 13. It’s a match made in Fantasy heaven, which is why he was chosen as the best forward by all four pundits and has also won our captain poll with ease this week.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) unanimously claimed second place in the Scout Squad this week, with all four pundits choosing him just below Kane. This week it’s a trip to face a Southampton side still in transition under new manager Ralph Hasenhüttl, so he should have plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net. Indeed, only one player has had more shots on goal since Gameweek 13 than Aubameyang, who looks set to start after missing Europa League duty on Thursday.

Raúl Jiménez (£6.1m) completes the Scout Picks line-up with Wolves facing that vulnerable Bournemouth defence. The Cherries are the joint-worst side for allowing penalty box shots over the last four Gameweeks, while Wolves’ Mexican forward has had more efforts in that area of the pitch than anyone else during the selected period.

Substitutes

Jose Holebas (£4.7m) earns a place on the bench ahead of Cardiff’s trip to Watford. His involvement in set pieces could see him exploit the weakness with the Bluebirds’ back-line, while a clean sheet feels likely too.

Max Meyer (£5.6m) has been recording some encouraging underlying statistics this week. Paul brought his name to light in the Scout Squad article on Thursday, the midfielder providing nine key passes and shooting 10 times in the last four Gameweeks.

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (£6.4m) continues to be a great cheaper alternative to Anderson with West Ham continuing to have great form and fixtures. The Mexican is offering considerably more goal threat than his Brazilian colleague, specifically recording much better minutes per shot in the box over the last four Gameweeks.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 17 is #FPLGuru. He has opted for a 4-3-3 formation of: Ederson; Davies, Laporte, Holebas, Rudiger; Sané, Son, Pereyra; Kane, Aubameyang, Mitrovic.

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 eight and lost seven so far, with Dr Mantis Toboggan (DC2) winning 79-69 in Gameweek 16.

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

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5,317 Comments Post a Comment
  1. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Roll on the GW

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Frisking the fixtures - the attack (next 6 GWs)

    1. Arsenal - play 5 of the bottom 7 teams in xGA. Arsenal are 7th overall in xG themselves (xG of 25)
    2. Huddersfield - play 5 of the bottom 7 teams in XGA. Huddersfield are 20th (bottom) overall in xG themselves which may temper enthusiasm (xG of 11)
    3. West Ham - play 4 of the bottom 7 teams in xGA. West Ham are 11th overall in xG themselves (xG of 21)
    4. Watford - play 4 of the bottom 10 teams in xGA. Watford are 9th overall in xG themselves (xG of 23)
    5. Man City - play 4 of their next 6 fixtures at home where they have a xG of 28 (next best xG home or away is 16)
    6. Spurs - play 3 of the bottom 10 teams in xGA. Spurs are 4th overall in xG themselves (xG of 28)
    7. Man Utd - play 3 of the bottom 10 teams in xGA. Man Utd are 5th overall in xG themselves (xG of 27)

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Nice! But shhhh, we don't call it that any more, now it's:

      "Teams whose Fantasy Premier League players who we think we will do well for the next several gameweeks from an attacking perspective because their opponents concede a lot of goals and from a defensive perspective because their opponents don't score many goals."

      It's not very catchy but the search engines mess their pants for it.

    2. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      The gap between Arsenal's expected and actual goals is interesting. They've scored ~10 goals more than their xG, the next largest positive differential is Chelsea with ~3. I wonder if something about their style messes gives the algorithm trouble or if they've had a slice of luck.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        There is definitely some luck. Like that Auba goal from outside the box vs Spurs. He hit it sweet, but he has lots of attempts like that in his career (at all clubs) and most have gone wide or over or both.

  3. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A) Sane & WanB
    B) Robertson & Anderson (no ManC cover)

    To replace Siggy & TAA?

    1. Effe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

  4. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Fabianski
    Alonso Doherty Robbo Laporte
    Sane Sterling Fraser Fanderson
    Jimenez Kane
    (Stek AWB Rich Arnie)

    1FT & 0. 3ITB

    a) Save FT
    b) Arnie > Chicarito (bench either Fraser or Robbo)

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Save gtg

    2. Effe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      a

    3. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B) Fraser

      1. ATXHorn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B. Time to ship Arnie as he is going to be out for awhile. Chicharito or Mitro ( 4 yellows) are options

  5. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Best replacement for Chilwell?

    A) Doherty (have Bennett)
    B) Kolasinac
    C) David Luiz (have Alonso)
    D) Other

    Cheers

    1. Effe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

  6. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    (C)aneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee hattie 😀

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Or 2 pointer like many times before against minnows at Wembley.

      1. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Negativity begone 🙁

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Oh yes 😀

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    TEAM OF DEATH ready:

    Ryan
    Alonso | Doherty | AWB
    Salah (VC) | Hazard | Sterling | Richarlison | Fraser
    Kane (C) | Success

    Button | Bennett | Kamara | Bednarek

    0.1ITB, Transfers used

    Thoughts?

    Thanks

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Damn

      Salah Hazard Sterling and Kane

      Unfair 🙁

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Dat bench doe....

      2. ATXHorn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        And Alonso

    2. Football creep
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      2 crap strikers

    3. Football creep
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      xxxx

    4. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      That midfield is sick.
      The strikeforce suffers for it, though.

  8. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    pick a pair

    A-Sane & Fraser
    B- Anderson & Son
    C-Bilva & Son
    D-Bilva & Anderson

    Other mids- Snodgrass Sterling

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

  9. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Yedlin to Luiz for -4 or play Rich?

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Richy Rich.

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        cheers B

  10. DavidCuz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    shall i drop TAA for Holebas and start Holebas over Cardiff's Paterson or just keep TAA and start Paterson? I won't lose anything if TAA drops tonight. Also pondering dropping TAA for Kolasinac or Schindler. Thanks.

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Start Paterson. Watford always screws up on easy home games

  11. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Mitro or Chica?

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      mitro

    2. Ain't No Holebas Girl
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Fancy Mitro to do well over the next 4 (as long as he doesn’t get a 5th yellow)

    3. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Chicharito is (unconfirmed) doubtful

  12. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Doherty or Kolasinac?

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Doh

  13. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of Kun starting?

    1. the hound81
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      100%

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Guess or source?

  14. Teror
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sessegnon a worthwhile punt? Looking for a Siggy replacement that isn't Fanderson. Also considering Pereyera and Bilva.

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Schurrle

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No

  15. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    what's happened 're Laca. How come everyone is selling?
    worth doing Siggy and Laca to Son and Mitro?

    Hamer Pat
    Doherty Kola Robbo Schindler AWB
    Salah Sane Anderson Siggy Hoj
    Kane Laca Jiminez

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Minutes, played in europa

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I;d do that move

  16. Teror
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A. Siggy > Bilva

    B. Save FT

    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      With KDB back fit, surely Bilva's nailedness is all but gone

  17. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A) Schindler 17 & 18, Digne onward
    B) Kolasinac

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

  18. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Willy nailed?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Who?

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds painful.

    3. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kinky

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I've got Boly wood

  19. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Lowe or Schindler?

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I prefer Löwe (if nailed) but Schindler is on my list too.

      ...

  20. fridge
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Evening all. Was thinking of wildcarding but my team is looking ok for this week I think

    Foster
    Doherty. Robbo. Alonso. Chilwell
    Sane. Fanderson. Fraser
    Kane. Jiminez. Auba

    Pat. AWB. Cairney. Gudmunson

    1FT, 2.4 ITB
    A) Gudmunson + Pat > Son + 4.0 (-4)
    B) Chilwell > Spurs def
    C) Chilwell > City def

  21. Phrilly
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Commentary says no player had more shot than Pereyra in GW16 but Rashford and Siggy both had 6 to Pereyra's 5

  22. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    pick a pair

    A-Sane & Fraser
    B- Anderson & Son
    C-Bilva & Son
    D-Bilva & Anderson

    Other mids- Snodgrass Sterling

    Doherty or Kolasinac?

  23. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    My team is looking pretty pretty

    ................WLV................
    ........ARS WLV CHE........
    WHU WHU TOT MCI MCI
    ............ARS ARS.............

    Not sure whether to invert the defence to balance the colours...

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I have so much time for this discussion. Setting the shirts out is such an enjoyable ritual. I like it as you have it, personally.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Many thanks. I've actually plopped Bellerin in the middle, since Patricio's shirt isn't actually orange. That way I've got Bellerin balanced with the forwards 😀

        1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Oh, of course, I was wondering if you should put the Arsenal DEF in the middle, that works very nicely, then. Best of luck (I hope there are no autosubs)

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Haha me too. I want to benchwonk by playing Yedlin, but it's too pretty without him haha. Good luck to you too

  24. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Lowe recommended here as a set-piece taker. Is he actually nailed going forwards? See he missed a few matches (though maybe being on set pieces with Mooy out will make him less droppable?) and obviously I have not followed Huddersfield at all. Anybody watched to the end of MOTD lately?

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      he was injured

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He was injured for the matches he missed. Came back for the Arsenal game.

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Great, thanks.

  25. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Chickens

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Tofurkey

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Reported.

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      We have 5, plus 1 cockerel.

    4. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Turkey comes and goes, but chicken's here to stay.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        As long as they stay off your plate 😉

  26. altan8797
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    anyone having kane and not captaining?

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      no

      1. ATXHorn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Might go with Salah again. It worked out last week.

    2. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Not me. Kane (C) 99% sure, 1% combined on if I wanted to punt on Son or Sane.

  27. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Yedlin to Luiz for -4 or play Richo?

  28. FC Bazalona
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg ??
    Was thinking rich out as don’t like playing 4 at the back but seems pointless ??
    Fab
    Doherty Alderweireld Alonso Kola
    Sane F Anderson Eriksen
    Kane Auba Mitro

    Hamer Richarlison camarasa AWB

  29. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Worth doing Dilva > Mahrez for free? If not then who got £8.7mil to spend

  30. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Play Schindler over AWB, right?