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. I Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A) Keep Laca and get Auba for free next week
    B) Laca to Auba -4 now

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

      B) as long as the -4 is an OK move

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        It's just that move. I have the money in the bank.

    2. white heart pain
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      In same spot. I am keeping

  2. Puncheon Guly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Need a Mooy replacement for under 5.1. 5th mid so looking for someone nailed over Christmas.

    Pritchard?
    Neves?
    Torreira?

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      toreira

    2. Bring the Cavalry
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I went Pritchard last week for the bench before arsenal, he could of easily scored and had an assist looked quite promising

    3. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Prichard

  3. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    button or steele as 2nd gk in WC ?

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

      butt

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

    Bottomed...

    Laca > Mitrovic or Chica?

    Do I take a -4 to get in Alonso too or just play WB? Bearing in mind I'll def want Alonso next week anyway.

  5. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Any changes needed guys here guys ? Have 1FT 1.2 M

    Patricio (Hamer)
    AWB, Alonso, LaPorte (Bennett, Digne)
    Sane, Salah, Rich, Maddison (Hojberg)
    Hernandez, Kane, Jimenez,

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

      nope g2g

    2. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good but could do Rich to Anderson

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

    what do you reckon on Fraser to Snodgrass? Frees up some cash and could pay off with WH nice fixtures.

    Just not sure about letting fraser go

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

      not for me

      I personally think Paterson is a better pick than Snodgrass if you were to do any transfers , despite the fixtures

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

        this comment has aged well

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Debated this idea but I'm keeping I think

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Snoddy has great fixtures. But I dunno if I’d do that unless you have a clear plan for the extra funds.

      Don’t just free up funds then spend it the next week. That’s how I ended up with Lacazette.

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

        wanna do Ryan to Fab maybe and need some extra cash

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Nah. Don’t do that to switch keepers.

          Fabianski is hardly setting the world alight with clean sheets.

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

            ok fair play just looking at Brighton fixtures and not confident about holding onto Ryan. Could get Foster or Hennessy I suppose

    4. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I did that move to allow me to do Austin (don't ask) to chicharito!

  7. Rodgers's CHARACTER
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Jota & Rondon or Pereyra & Jiménez ?

  8. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I read the comments on Andy’s Let’s Talk FPL YouTube channel and now my eyes have aids.

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Are the H eye V positive ?

  9. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Can anyone rate my WC draft? Still got 1.6 itb

    Fab Hamer
    Alonso Robertson Digne Doherty AWB
    Sterling Sane Rich Anderson Hojberg
    Kane Wilson Jimenez

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I like it. I guess you could go premium goalkeeper?

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Plus button could be a great 4.0 option

    2. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      nice team - could upgrade Hojberg or GK

    3. PepeRooneyPizza
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Upgrade Hojbjerg to say Fraser or GK to Ederson

  10. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Uh, not sure what to do here 🙁

    Fabianski
    Doherty AWB Kolasinac TAA*
    Sterling Eriksen Anderson
    Aubameyang Kane Mitrovic
    (Steele Richarlison Camarasa Chambers)

    1FT, 1.1m ITB

    Plan was to save FT but TAA has to go next week either way. Replace TAA this week or start Rich and reevaluate with 2FT?

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

      Reevaluate with 2FT

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  11. Aubamazette
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Play Rich or Wilson

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      uh, not sure how this is a question.

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

      is Wilson fit to play then?

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

        He'll either start or not play at all - you only have to worry about cameo's when someone has been out for a long term injury and needs to get their fitness back up.

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

          He can still be on the bench and brought on if Bournemouth are loosing

  12. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    should i activate wc? would bring in auba and salah > city mid.

    current team

    Patricio
    Robbo • Kolasinac • Lovren • AWB
    Haz • Salah • Richarlison • Gudmundsson
    Kane(C) • Lacazette

    Hamer • Success • Stephens • Peltier

  13. F4L
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I think I'm in the minority, but I haven't been impressed with Everton of late. Disjointed attack, and defence has looked susceptible. Can't see City having many issues turning them over

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Oh they’ll get turned over.

      Everton as a team have some nice assets still however.

  14. samaael
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    didnt emery basically say Laca is going to start?

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Tough to really know what to think of thst. Probably it was positive from Emery regarding Laca starting

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

        a bit crazy people getting of him

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I'm also considering getting rid of him..for a hit 😮 could also save a ft though

  15. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Patricio
    AWB, Alonso, Laporte, Doherty
    Sterling, Sane, Richarlison
    Kane, Aubameyang, Jimenez

    (Hennessey, TAA, Masuaku, Hojbjerg)

    1FT 0.2 ITB - TAA -> Kolasinac?

    Cheers

    Cheers..

  16. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hello all. Would you save a FT here? Lacazette a worry.

    Patricio
    Robertson, Kolasinac, Laporte, Doherty
    Salah, Sane, Richarlison
    Kane, Wilson, Lacazette

    subs: Button --- Wan-Bissaka, Murphy, Hojbjerg --- 1 FT, 0.2 ITB

    A) Save
    B) Lacazette & Murphy -> Jimenez & F.Anderson (-4)

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

      A

    2. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

  17. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Do you see a reason for Sterling rotation? I know Pep can always do a Pep... but he missed a match due to rotation two gws ago so I guess he will be rotated after a few matches again?

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

      my captain choice is hanging on this question

  18. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Mitrovic or Rashford?

  19. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Will wc within 3 gws...

    Fab
    VVD Alonso Doherty
    Rich Salah Andersen Fraser Jimenez Kane Laca

    (4.0, Diangana, AWB, Dunk)

    Have 1.9 itb and 1 FT

    Thoughts? Thinking:
    A) Diangana to Pererya
    B) Rich to Mahrez.

    Mahrez as have Kane and think he starts this gw.

    1. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

  20. Rider on the Storm
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Witch one to BENCH?
    A Richardlison (mci)
    B wan bissaka (LEI)
    C brooks (wol)

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

      b

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Probably B

  21. phill1962
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Quick transfer poll
    Current team:

    Fab
    Bellerin, AWB, Doherty
    Rich, F Anderson, Sterling, Erikson
    Jimenez, Abu, Chicharito

    Bench: Hamer, D. Silva, Cedric, Digne
    $1.0 ITB

    D. Silva to:
    A) B. Silva,
    B) Torreira (freeing cash for Aguero next week)
    C) Pereyra
    D) Son

    Transfer starts and sends Rich to the bench

    Thanks in advance

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. Kemosabe1
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      D

    3. phill1962
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Many thanks. Good luck this weekend.

  22. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I need to stop thinking about this.

    GTG on this WC? 3--5--2 with 1.0itb leftover
    Fab, Button
    Doherty, Robbo, Luiz, AWB, Bednarek
    Sterling, Son, Hazard, Anderson, Fraser
    Kane, Wilson, Kamara

  23. Puyol Self Together
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who to start from

    A. Balbuena
    B. Lovren
    C. AWB

    Got Fabianski

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

      b

  24. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Have I got the correct bench order

    1. Murphy (wat)
    2. Brooks (wol)
    3. Digne (mci)

    Brooks is 2nd as I already have 3 players involved in wol v Bournemouth match

  25. MMN
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    We expecting Wilson to start?

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      "in contention" is all I've seen. So, yes...?

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

      I am wondering the same whole day.

  26. Taking one for the team
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Start Paterson or Fraser?
    Already got Wilson

    1. Kemosabe1
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Snodgrass

      1. Taking one for the team
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Not sure you understood the question

  27. Rodgers's CHARACTER
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    hart or foster

  28. SpunkyMunky
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Go all in and triple captain Kane?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Captain him & take the points if he hauls safe in the knowledge you have TC for DGW

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

    3. Kemosabe1
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No lol

  29. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    When will Ryan be gone?

    1. Rodgers's CHARACTER
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Asian cup start 5 January so maybe GW21

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

        Uhh so long way to go, thanks !

  30. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Callum Wilson to Chelsea back on BBC Sport... what a January move that would be

    Wilson would be 8.0 in a matter of weeks

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Lovely!