Scout Picks

Gameweek 19 Scout Picks – In-form Salah the key man

We have chosen our best XI players for Gameweek 19.

Because of the tight turn-around since Gameweek 18, this line-up was not chosen by our Scout Squad this week.

Instead, it was assembled by a select few within the Fantasy Football Scout editorial team.

We are, as ever, under the £83m budget and line-up in the classic Fantasy formation of 3-4-3.

Goalkeeper

Vicente Guaita (£4.2m) has started the last two Crystal Palace matches filling in for the injured Wayne Hennessey. Given the short space of time between their win at Manchester City and their Boxing Day match, plus the lack of up to date information, we expect the Spaniard to be in net once again in Gameweek 19. Crystal Palace’s chance of a clean sheet this week are fairly strong as they host Cardiff City, who have scored fewer away goals than any other Premier League side this season.

Defenders

Matt Doherty (£5.2m) gets into the Scout Picks based largely on his attacking potential. He has pulled in offensive returns in three of his last four Premier League outings and should benefit playing against the poor Fulham defence on Boxing Day. Furthermore, Fulham have had their struggles going forward recently, while Wolves are typically more defensively sound away from home than at Molineux. Therefore, a double-figure haul for Doherty this week is not entirely out of the question.

Luke Shaw (£4.9m) is selected ahead of Huddersfield Town’s trip to Old Trafford. The Manchester United left-back faces the division’s lowest scorers in the Terriers, while also offering some attacking potential of his own now that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has unshackled the Red Devils.

Dejan Lovren (£4.9m) is chosen as the cover for Liverpool’s hugely impressive defence in Gameweek 19. The Reds have conceded just two league goals at home this season while Newcastle are particularly goal-shy away from home. Only Fulham and Huddersfield have found the net fewer times on their travels this season.

Midfielders

After his recent displays, there was no way we couldn’t include Mohamed Salah (£13.2m). Just one player has recorded more shots on target than the Egyptian in the last four Gameweeks, hence why he has found the net four times in that time. Furthermore, he is comparing very favourably with his 11 chances created too, offering a spread of points. In truth, he looks fully responsible for the functionality of Liverpool’s attack right now. We were initially concerned about his 90-minute spell against Wolves in Gameweek 18, but assessing the form of his colleagues and the five-day gap between that Friday night encounter and Boxing Day’s meeting, we’re confident of a starting role.

We are keeping faith in Eden Hazard (£11.0m) in spite of his blank against Leicester in Gameweek 18. The Chelsea man continues to offer excellent creativity compared to the rest of the league and is also a threat in front of goal. While he will probably be shifted to a wider role against Watford, he should be able to capitalise on the fact that the Hornets have slipped into the whipping boy bracket. In the last four Gameweeks, only Burnley have conceded more shots in their penalty box than Watford.

Paul Pogba (£7.9m) is our chosen representative from the Manchester United ranks for their Gameweek 18 meeting with Huddersfield. We believe he is the most likely to start given the seeming lack of competition for his place and Solskjaer’s clear admiration for his abilities. Only Rashford had more shots than Pogba against Cardiff, while Anthony Martial was the only Red Devil to create more chances. The Frenchman obviously claimed three assists from the trip to South Wales and we expect his influence on this new-look Manchester United team to continue in Gameweek 19.

Richarlison‘s (£7.0m) trip face Burnley fills us with confidence that he will get some attacking returns. As already mentioned, the Clarets remain the division’s worst side for shots allowed in the penalty box, which will give Everton the perfect opportunity to make up for their 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday. We’d expect Richarlison to return to the centre-forward position after playing on the left-wing in Gameweek 18, perfect for him to build on his three attacking returns in his last four.

Forwards

Harry Kane (£12.5m) returns to the Scout Picks on the back of his 15-point haul against Everton. In the last eight Gameweeks, he has averaged 7.13 points per game and has been recording underlying statistics that suggest his form is sustainable. This week he faces a Bournemouth defence that has kept just clean sheets away from home this season and conceded an average of 1.75 goals on their travels in 2018/19. While they have seen a reduction in their goal attempts conceded in the box over the last four Gameweeks since being thrashed by Liverpool, they were up against Brighton in Gameweek 18, who are particularly poor on their travels themselves. Based on the form over the last month or so, we expect Spurs to score heavily again.

Raúl Jiménez (£6.2m) comes back into the Scout Picks in light of Wolves travelling to face Fulham’s defence. He has had 10 shots in the last four Gameweeks, a figure which was somewhat diminished by facing that tough Liverpool defence last time out. Going into that Friday night encounter he ranked joint-third for efforts inside the box. That translated to six attacking returns in Jiménez’s seven Premier League outings prior to the Liverpool game, which is certainly fine form for a Fantasy asset at his price point. With little competition for the centre-forward position at Wolves, it’s hard to see him being benched for this one.

Danny Ings (£5.6m) completes our line-up ahead of Southampton’s Thursday night meeting with West Ham. The forward has been in sensational form since Ralph Hasenhüttl took over the Saints. In his last two matches he has found the net three times and is proving the poster boy for the new manager’s high-pressing tactics. Meanwhile, the Hammers are still struggling for clean sheets, with just three this season.

Substitutes

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.3m) was originally our cover for the Crystal Palace defence, losing out only because the Eagles’ goalkeeper was £0.1m cheaper. Those who own the defender should seriously consider starting him this week as Palace set to host the Premier League’s worst away-day attack in Cardiff.

Felipe Anderson (£7.4m) gets into the Scout Picks as he continues to offer strong underlying statistics. He and his West Ham colleagues were unfortunate not to score against Watford in Gameweek 18 and will be keen to get back to winning ways at Southampton. The Saints are still waiting for their first clean sheet since Gameweek 10.

Marcus Rashford (£7.0m) came close to getting into our starting XI but lost out for budgetary reasons when compared with the other forwards we picked. The youngster should start against Huddersfield with Romelu Lukaku reportedly still out of the fold for personal reasons and has two goals and two assists in his last five Premier League outings.

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4,684 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas everyone 🙂

    May your FPL teams score well tomorrow

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

      Merry Christmas everyone!

  2. Ratatouille
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas everyone! Would you start Jiménez or Anderson?

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

      I'd probably go for Jimenez but tough call

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

      Jimenez (or both)

    3. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Anderson

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

    Merry Christmas! What to do with this lot:

    Rui
    Alonso - Laporte - TAA* - Kola - AWB
    Salah - Son - Sane
    Jimenez - Kane

    Fabs - Chicha* - Deulofeu - Obiang

    A) Chicha > Ings
    B) TAA or Kola > Shaw/Digne
    C) Laporte > Trippier
    D) Save

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

      A or C

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

        Cheers

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

      D

  4. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas, everyone!

  5. mdm
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:

    A. Digne (bur)
    B. Doherty (ful)
    C. AWB (CAR)

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Kno
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Struggling with the same gang, narrowed it down to A or C myself.

    4. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

    5. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

    6. JUST ONE LOMBARDO...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      AWB is in great form and Cardiff should offer a clean sheet for the Eagles.

  6. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who's your captain out of Kane and Salah?

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

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

      Salah

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

      On Kane as of now. I want to go Salah but still hesitant about him being rested.

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

      Kane

  7. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 2 here.

    A) Luiz
    B) Coleman
    C) Kola
    D) Doherty
    E) WB

    Currently benching A and B

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

      Sounds right ro me

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. Tough decision

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Im benching D E

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Madness

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

      C and E

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Really? Argh WB is a baps magnet when they keep a cs which I think is very likely.

    4. AndyCook
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A and B

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks

    5. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling > haz for free ? Have sane

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

        Yes

      2. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Tempting

        1. Ohh1454
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Leave it till after this week ?

      3. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I did the same move last night

        1. Ohh1454
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Gonna be hard to watch the Chelsea game without having haz

    6. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Merry Christmas everyone! 😀

      Looking G2G here? Thank you & GL!

      Fabianski
      Digne • Kolasinac • Doherty
      Sterling • Son(vc) • Rich • FAnderson • Martial
      Kane(C) • Aubameyang
      (Button / AWB / Kamara / Schindler)

      1. AndyCook
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I would play Wan Bissaka over Kolasinac

          1. Stef rocks
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Same

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Ederson
        Alonso Rob Kola
        Salah Son Richa Anderson
        Kane Rash Mitro

        Hamer AWB Doh Billing

        Id like to play AWB and Doherty, but how? Benching headache...

        Cheers and merry xmas!

        1. Not again Shirley
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I am benching rich but anyone’s guess what will happen tomorrow.

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

          Play Doherty over Kola?

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

        On WC:

        A) Ings + 0.7
        B) Jimenez

        1) Digne
        2) Shaw

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I’ve had Jimenez for a long time and he has served me well but Ings is in great form and Southampton are also.

          Shaw over Digne for me. I have Coleman and need to sell !

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

          A2

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

          b2

        4. AndyCook
            5 years, 3 months ago

            A2

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

            Cheers all, probably going A2

          • Runaway
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I would go B1 as A2 is more injury prone more likely to be rotated in next 3.

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

              Valud point. Ings gives me Holebas instead of Bednarek though so that way I can cover rotation a bit better

        5. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          AWB. Kol. Alonso. Robertson. Doherty.

          How the hell to pick 3 only??

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

            Go 5 at the back, forwards will be sluggish after a heavy Christmas roast.

            1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Lol.

              Lingard. Salah. Hazard. Rich.
              Rash. Kane. Jiminez.

              It's impossible!

          2. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Got the same defs.. benching awb and doh myself

          3. Runaway
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I have the same except Digne for Kola and I will play last 3

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

            Play bench boost.

        6. SweeSwee
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Anyone know what the news is on Chicharito?

        7. Ghost Gooner
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          In another fantasy format I'm looking to bring in a CRY keeper for Dubravka but I'm worried by Woy's non committal statement.

          Should I just go for Rico for the next 2 GWs instead?

          @BenDinnery
          "I'd expect that both [Hennessey] and [Kouyate] will be okay," said Hodgson. "Kelly is somewhat more of a doubt, but I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't fit either
          and we could easily find ourselves going into the Cardiff game with just Christian Benteke [sidelined]."
          #CPFC

          https://mobile.twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1077525361649315842?s=19

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

          Happy Christmas everyone!!

          Bit stuck... What to do here please:

          Fabianski
          Delph Doherty AWB
          Sterling Son Richarlison Anderson
          Kane Aubameyang Wilson

          Hamer Fraser Dunk Schindler

          2 FT, 0 ITB

          Anderson & Fraser >> Snodgrass & Martial

          ??

          Thanks

          1. Mr Q
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Wilson to ings and bank the money. Double up on bourn is a bit much...

        9. Mr Q
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          How nailed is shaw?

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

            Hard to say. Pretty, I’d imagine

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

            I'd say pretty nailed, they don't have many options at that position.

            1. Mr Q
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Thanks!

        10. Critical Observer
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Bench 1:

          Doherty
          Wan-Bis
          Digne
          Kolasinac

          Currently leaning towards Digne but there’s not much in it. :/

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

            Kola

            1. Critical Observer
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Could be Kola as well... Thanks for the input mate.

          2. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Digne, Everton just let in 6 at home

          3. Runaway
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Kola

        11. BENOIT
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          A couple of conundrums....

          1. Felipe —> Martial OR Hernandez —> Rashford

          2. Can I really go in to this week without Hazard or Liverpool cover?

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

            1. Keep both
            2. Yes

            1. AndyCook
                5 years, 3 months ago

                This

              • BENOIT
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Hernandez a doubt, feel I need Utd cover?

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

              1. Rash as Chica is a doubt.
              2. Get hazard and Salah if u have the funds

            3. Runaway
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              1. Hernandez > Rashford, he is doubt and you already have Felipe, you do not need double WHU attack

              2. Yes, why not?

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

            Feliz navidad todos!

          3. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            No Son in picks. Hmm

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

            How the mighty have fallen, Fanderson to drop in price already!

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

            Looking at captaining Hazard over Kane this GW. Hope he doesn't troll me.

          6. FCSB
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            1. Anderson & Fraser >> Snodgrass & Martial
            2. Fraser & Wilson >> Snodgrass & Rashford

            Which one??

            Thanks

            1. AndyCook
                5 years, 3 months ago

                1

              • AndyCook
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Martial and Ings?

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

                    0.3 short mate

                • Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  2
                  Martial+ings

              • AndyCook
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Kolasinac or Shaw?

                  1. Gringo Kid
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    Shaw is a better option long term, better fixtures, more secure playing spot

                    Kolasinac is a bigger goal threat, but lower CS potential

                • DirtySanchez
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Anyone Capping Son tomorrow?

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

                  7 of Spurs next 8 fixtures are:

                  BOU, WOL, WAT, NEW, LEI, car, ful

                  This is quite good

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

                    MUN is actually not too bad too. 🙂

                    I probably need more Spurs.

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

                  Evening, how does this look?

                  Lossl
                  Alonso | Doherty | AWB | Bednarek
                  Salah | Hazard | Richarlison | Lingard
                  Kane | Aguero

                  Button | Bennett | Kamara | Masuaku

                  Thanks

                • NATSTER
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  If you can start just one of these, who would you do ?

                  W - Wilson (tot)
                  F - Fraser (tot)
                  K - Kolasinac (bha)

                  1. FPL Blow-In
                    • 11 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    Kola

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

                      He's in my starting XI now. I guess I have to hope for attacking points rather than cleansheet.

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

                    F

                  3. Runaway
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    W

                • internal error
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Do you think Kdb starts against Leicester? Is he likely to then be rested against Southampton?

                  1. The 5% Team
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    I think you might be right. I'm still waiting a few more week before I transfer him in though

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

                    Yes, especially with silva out.

                • R.C
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Why is Son not in the Scout Picks?